Did you know that around 30% of people worldwide struggle with major gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux, GERD, peptic ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and chronic liver diseases? This was highlighted in a 2023 study. This means that 30% of us have already got a compromised digestion.
Moreover, a 2021 Global Epidemiology study by the Rome Foundation estimated that over 40% of people worldwide experience functional gastrointestinal disorders, distinct from the previously mentioned conditions.
Understanding Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Functional GI disorders cause persistent and recurring GI symptoms, yet standard medical tests like x-rays, CT scans, blood tests, or endoscopies often show no structural or biochemical abnormalities.
To put it simply, you might feel the discomfort and symptoms, but standard medical tests often come back normal.
One of the most well-known functional gastrointestinal disorders is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Other common issues include pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, feelings of fullness, bloating, nausea, functional vomiting, functional abdominal pain, and functional constipation or diarrhea.
The Importance of Digestion
Why am I sharing all these statistics? Because despite digestion often being seen as just another bodily function, it plays a crucial role in our overall health. And I want to express repeatedly that the widespread prevalence of digestive symptoms and discomfort in our society does not mean they should be accepted as the new norm or something we have to live with.
Digestion is the gateway to your vitality and well-being.
When your digestive system isn’t functioning properly, it can have a ripple effect throughout your entire body.
- Nutrient Absorption: Poor digestion means your body struggles to break down food and absorb essential nutrients, leading to nutrient deficiencies that can leave you feeling fatigued, weakened, and more susceptible to illnesses.
- Gut Microbiome Balance: Compromised digestive functions can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut, known as the microbiome, and cause inflammation, a weakened immune response, hormone dysregulation, neurotransmitter insufficiency, and a host of gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, and discomfort.
- Nutrient Utilization: When absorption and assimilation are compromised, the body’s ability to utilize the nutrients from food is significantly hindered. This means that even if you’re eating a nutrient-rich diet, your body may not be getting the full benefit.
- Overall Health Impact: Poor assimilation can also affect your energy levels, immune system, and even your skin health, as the nutrients necessary for maintaining these functions are inadequately supplied.
- Cellular Function: On a cellular level, poor assimilation impacts the very foundation of your body’s functions. Cells rely on a constant supply of nutrients to produce energy, repair damage, and carry out specialized tasks. Without adequate nutrients, cellular processes slow down or become inefficient, leading to a cascade of health issues.
- Metabolic Health: Digestion is at the core of metabolic health, and metabolic dysfunction is a significant contributor to many chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, hormonal imbalances, poor mental health, chronic liver dysfunctions, and certain types of cancer.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You are what you eat.” In reality, this saying should go as “We are what we eat, digest, absorb, and assimilate.” Understanding and nurturing your digestion sets the foundation for a healthier, more vibrant you.
Simple Ways to Improve Your Digestion
Here are some simple yet profound ways to improve your digestive functions:
- Create a Relaxing Environment: Enjoy your meals in a comfortable, stress-free setting.
- Eat Sitting Down: Avoid eating on the go.
- Stimulate Your Senses: Appreciate the visual appeal and aroma of your food before eating to stimulate digestive enzymes.
- Take Your Time: Allocate 15-20 minutes for each meal. Eat slowly and savor your food.
- Chew Thoroughly: Aim to chew your food as much as possible.
- Minimize Distractions: Avoid using phones, watching TV, or reading while eating.
- Promote Calmness: Invite relaxation before meals as stress can slow down digestion.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Avoid Overeating and Snacking: Eat moderate portions and limit constant snacking.
- Limit Trigger Foods: Be mindful of foods that cause discomfort.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues.
- Limit Processed Foods: This topic deserves a blog post of its own!
There are additional ways to enhance digestive function, such as integrating bitter foods (like radish, arugula, endives, etc.), incorporating apple cider vinegar, fiber, and probiotics into your meals. You can also consider adding specific vitamins and minerals either through food or supplements to your daily routine, although all these additional approaches may benefit from more personalized guidance.
Take the Next Step
If you’re curious about improving your digestive health or have specific concerns, I invite you to book a discovery call with me. Together, we can explore personalized strategies to enhance your well-being through better digestion.
Thank you for being an integral part of our community. Here’s to your digestive health and overall wellness!
REFERENCES
1 – Sperber AD, Bangdiwala SI, Drossman DA, Ghoshal UC, Simren M, Tack J, Whitehead WE, Dumitrascu DL, Fang X, Fukudo S, Kellow J, Okeke E, Quigley EMM, Schmulson M, Whorwell P, Archampong T, Adibi P, Andresen V, Benninga MA, Bonaz B, Bor S, Fernandez LB, Choi SC, Corazziari ES, Francisconi C, Hani A, Lazebnik L, Lee YY, Mulak A, Rahman MM, Santos J, Setshedi M, Syam AF, Vanner S, Wong RK, Lopez-Colombo A, Costa V, Dickman R, Kanazawa M, Keshteli AH, Khatun R, Maleki I, Poitras P, Pratap N, Stefanyuk O, Thomson S, Zeevenhooven J, Palsson OS. Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study. Gastroenterology. 2021 Jan;160(1):99-114.e3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.014. Epub 2020 Apr 12. PMID: 32294476.
2- Wang R, Li Z, Liu S and Zhang D (2023) Global, regional, and national burden of 10 digestive diseases in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Front. Public Health 11:1061453. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1061453
