What Does Digestion Have to Do with It?

      Are you low in energy? Do you suffer from irritability or depression?  Do you have food allergies or osteoporosis?  All of these and more can be related to poor digestion! I was not surprised to see a Fox News survey that showed 74% of Americans have some type of digestion problem.
     One of the key causes of poor digestion is a low level of hydrochloric acid (HCL).  Having studied digestion thoroughly for both my Master's degree and certification as a Digestive Health Specialist, I can tell you it is true.  I know that most people take antacids for things like heartburn and reflux because they think they have too much acid, but they actually don't have enough, especially if they are over 50.  The truth is that stomach acid is very important and yet much of our diet and lifestyle interferes with the production of HCL.
     Why do we need it? Our stomach acid production is triggered when we eat because our stomach needs to have a certain level of acidity to activate enzymes which break down proteins as well as to absorb many nutrients like B12, iron, and calcium.  HCL helps destroy any harmful bacteria that get in our system (such as H. Pylori which can cause ulcers).  When it is low we also increase our risk for stomach cancer and intestinal parasites.
     Why do so many of us not make enough? The world we live in today is not good for our stomachs! Stress is the first thing that will hinder digestion.  Eating on the run, not chewing, chronic over eating, and eating devitalized food all can take their toll.  We put so much processed, refined junk in our bodies that are filled with chemicals, pesticides, preservatives and other artificial ingredients that over time our digestion is greatly hindered.  We are designed for food made in nature - REAL food like fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, fish, etc. We also take many medications that hinder HCL production.  These include all the antacid drugs, birth control pills, antibiotics, high amounts of sugar/refined carbohydrates, excess coffee, alcohol and marijuana use.

     What can we do to IMPROVE our digestion?

1. Slow down your pace of life!  DE-STRESS!  Make meal time a sacred time of relaxation and enjoyment.  
2. Include living food with every meal.  Living food is fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables.  Think SALAD! Food that is raw still has its digestive enzymes intact and will aid in digesting.
3. Stop eating before you are full.  It takes a LOT of energy, HCL and enzymes to digest a big meal.  
4. Chew your food till it becomes liquid.  I know this is challenging, but at least make an effort.
5. Consider taking Betaine Hydrochloride tablets with your meal.  Contact me if you'd like  more information. HLS@nancyparlette.com 
6. Begin drinking a glass of water with 1/4 to 1/2 of a lemon or lime squeezed in it with your meals. This will help stimulate HCL production. 
7. Before meals or anytime you have discomfort, try drinking a 1/4 cup of warm water with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in it.  Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is the best.

Missing this one Family Event can be Detrimental to Your Health!

What if you could know there was a way to ensure that your children would be healthier, excel in school and avoid drugs and premarital sex, would you want to find out what it was?  What if it was as simple as eating meals together?  Would you do it? In the Journal of Adolescent Health they did interviews with over 18,000 adolescents and  found that the kids who ate together as a family were much more likely to eat healthy than those who didn't.  Other studies found that teens who stayed away from drugs, alcohol, smoking, and premarital sex were the ones who ate five or more meals a week together with their family. Research from the University of Michigan found that eating together as a family was the key predictor of a child’s academic scores and problematic behavior; the more meals eaten together, the better the grades and the behavior. All that for just 30 or more minutes a day sitting together around a table!

What is the magic taking place when you eat together as a family? Recognize that you are setting a good example (I hope!) of proper eating habits and manners.  You will model things like portion control, menu choices, listening skills and positive conversation.  In this day and age, often it is not just children who need to learn how to cook, many parents as well.  So many of us grew up in the fast food, eat on the run generation where eating out was the norm.  Rarely did either parent take time to plan, shop, read labels, cook or cleanup. We now recognize that these important life skills have many hidden benefits.  It’s never too late; in fact it is excellent to learn together!! 

What makes for a healthy meal? First of all is the atmosphere.  This is the time to turn off the TV, the computer, the cell phone, etc. and actually look at each other instead of a screen.  Pleasant calm music and an attractive table setting can make it feel like the special time that it is.  This is not the time to be critical or disciplinary but rather curious and enthusiastic about what happened in everyone’s day. What was the thing you liked most about today, what was the most challenging, are good open ended questions to elicit conversation.  Sharing about current events along with different perspectives and opinions is a fun  and educational activity.

Secondly, we want nutritious and delicious food to be served. Thanks to search engines like Google, you can find all kinds of fast and easy healthy recipes.  This is where you can put the kids to work.  Let them search and help you plan menus.  Incorporate fish, lean meats, vegetarian and even vegan meals into your diet.  Protein is just one part of the meal, next comes salad, the key to a healthy dinner.  Mix together plenty of different color greens and vegetables along with some healthy fats like avocado, olives, or nuts.  Steamed or roasted vegetables are also needed to make the meal complete.  If some don’t like a certain vegetable, maybe try cooking it in a new way.  Lastly, if you have growing kids, they will need a complex carbohydrate such as brown rice, quinoa, lentils, or whole grain breads, muffins, or pasta. 

Begin incorporating daily family time at the table and you will be amazed at the positive transformations materializing right before your eyes.  These healthy living strategies will not only help your children succeed, but will provide the whole family with profound memories that will be cherished and passed on from generation to generation.