You’re attending a big function; it could be Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even a wedding. You indulge in food and drink that might not be part of your regular diet; you eat richer food, drink more alcohol, and eat later in the day. All of this causes stress on your digestive system that you might not be used to. For many people, deciding what to wear to a function has more to do with which outfit will hide their bloated bellies after eating than it does with fashion. If this is something you are worried about, then it’s time to learn what is causing the bloating and what you can do about it.
Believe it or not, digestion begins when we see or even smell food. This causes us to salivate which releases a digestive enzyme call amylase which starts to break down carbohydrates. What are enzymes you ask? They are catalysts for chemical reactions within the body. They can be compared to blowing on a flame to start a fire; if extra oxygen is not added to the flames, it takes longer to start, or may go out all together. Without digestive enzymes, food is not broken down properly and if undigested foods reach the large intestine, it becomes food for “bad” bacteria in your intestinal tract and these bad bacteria putrefy undigested food, releasing volatile fatty acids and gasses which lead to bloating and often foul smelling gas after meals.
Many people do not produce enough enzymes to break down the amount of food they’re eating which leads to symptoms such as gas and bloating. When this happens they are also unable to absorb all of the nutrients contained in the food they are eating and this is the first step toward chronic disease. If you provide your body with enough enzymes to break down all of your food, then bad bacteria have nothing to eat and bloating and gas diminish. For many people, taking supplemental digestive enzymes is an ideal way to make sure their food is broken down properly, and they are absorbing all the nutrients from their food.
Since there are a lot of different types of enzymes available at your local health food store it is important to find the right one for you. You first need to determine when gas and bloating are occurring and choose a digestive enzyme based on your needs. A broad spectrum enzyme is usually a good choice because it contains multiple types of enzymes to break down all of the components of your food. There are also specific enzymes for those who are vegetarians, lactose intolerant and who get heartburn in relation to low hydrochloric production.
To ensure you are able to get the above benefits through a supplement form which best suits you, visit our knowledgeable product consultants at Good Health Mart today, and receive 1st quality products and your personalized digestive support program.
Any health decisions should be made in consultation with your health care practitioner.
Reprint of article first appearing in the Enterprise Bulletin and supplied by Caroline Farquhar, RHN for Good Health Mart Collingwood.
