What Can I Do to Aid Digestion?

Digestion in humans is the process by which food is taken in, processed, and passed on through the body. Diet, water intake, and activity level can have a serious impact on digestion, and even healthy people can suffer from problems with digesting food. Symptoms like diarrhea, gas, constipation, indigestion, and other complaints are not serious in the short-term, but over an extended period of time, they can have harmful effects or even lead to serious illnesses. A few simple ways to improve the digestive process is to eat properly; consume more enzymes, fiber, and natural nutrients; drink plenty of water; and exercise often.

For most people, a balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, meat, dairy, and oils, and eating a healthy diet can improve digestion. Not only is it important to eat the right types of foods, but also to eat the food properly. For example, the digestive system runs more smoothly when food is eaten slowly; this allows the organs to work properly at a normal pace. Along the same lines, when too much food is consumed at one time, it cannot be digested as easily because it overloads the system, so to speak. Eating the right amount of food, slowly, will improve the body's digestive capabilities.

To aid digestion, the first place to begin is making changes in one's diet and enzymes are a helpful way to start. Enzymes help the digestive process because they increase nutrients and cause food to be more fully digested. Echinacea is one helpful enzyme, as are pepsin, spirulina, and milk protein, to name just a few. Many enzyme supplements can be purchased on the Internet or in most major drugstores. Individuals can also consume Supergreens on a regular basis, which often contain a blend of digestive enzymes.

Fiber is a carbohydrate that helps aid digestion, as it keeps things moving in the intestine, preventing toxic build up, which can lead to the aforementioned symptoms of digestive problems. Fiber can be found in raw fruits and vegetables, but it can also be purchased from major drug stores as a dietary supplement. Also helpful are natural nutrients that cleanse the intestine, such as aloe vera, beta carotene, senna pod, garlic, acidophilus, and rosehips.

Water is one of the most helpful aids to digestion. Drinking the recommended eight to ten glasses of clean water each day keeps the body hydrated and helps aid digestion in the intestinal tract. Some studies show that drinking cold fluids will actually slow down the digestive process, so many people choose to drink water at room temperature.

Aerobic exercise and stretching each day also contribute to healthier digestion, as the body as a whole will be in better working order. Many health care professionals recommend walking for ten minutes each day to avoid bloating or other uncomfortable symptoms of the digestive process. A variety of exercises, such as yoga, done after eating are believed to increase the rate of digestion; these exercises can be researched on the Internet or taught by most yoga instructors.