A poor diet or too much of certain foods can wreak havoc on your stomach, causing digestive inflammation and leading to several problems that are not only uncomfortable but also unhealthy. If you’re suffering from indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation, or even pain in your abdomen, there’s likely an underlying cause that you can address with simple lifestyle changes and natural supplements. Here are some things your stomach may be trying to tell you, as well as tips on how to fix them naturally.
The Stomach and Digestive Inflammation
There are many common stomach pains and signs of inflammation such as gas, bloating, constipation indigestion, or heartburn. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your chest and throat. As you age, or if you’re overweight, that pressure can become greater and start to cause painful abdominal cramps as well. Fatty foods, as well as milk and cheese, are popular culprits: eating too much fat in one sitting can put extra pressure on your stomach and intestines and having lactose as found in milk/cheeses can cause unwanted gas, bloat and even diarrhea in individuals who are lactose intolerant.
Going easy on high-fat meals can help prevent those digestive problems from getting worse over time. In most cases, simple changes to one’s diet may optimize the digestion system and lower stomach inflammation. Side note: Inflammation may also be caused by something more serious like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, Seek medical advice if you feel your symptoms match such diseases. Now let’s look into some lifestyle changes and understandings of gut health and ways to improve.
Gut Health
The gut microbiome is responsible for so much more than just digestion, but to start with that, it’s a good place to begin. In short, your gut is home to a collection of bacteria and yeast that form your microbiome (or gut flora). The health of your gut directly impacts how well you can digest food and absorb nutrients from your diet. (1)
If you have an imbalance in your gut flora (e.g., too many bad-for-you bugs), it can cause digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea as well as more systemic symptoms such as inflammation and autoimmune disease. What does all of that mean? It means regular preventative care pays off! Keep in mind that preventative can mean different things for different people, which is why we’ve also included tips on what to do if you’re feeling uneasy about any issues. First things first—fix up your gut with these tips. [mailpoet_form id=”3″]
Avoid Certain Foods
Be mindful of the foods you eat and avoid those that make you feel uneasy. Everybody is different, so some food items may affect you differently than others. Whenever possible, go for foods that are fresh and organic to ensure your health. If you’re in the kitchen preparing a meal and not feeling great about it, try out a new recipe from books or online sources such as the Food Network or Tasty for inspiration. You may even consult a nutritionist for other ideas.
Above all else, listen to your body when it tells you something doesn’t feel right. When it comes to stomach issues, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but there are plenty of things you can do to find relief. Investing in a modern basic gut-health test with your doctor can be an excellent place to start; once you have data in hand, you can use information from lab results as well as personal experience to make necessary lifestyle changes. It’s good for those who have stomach aches or pain frequently and what triggers them. (2)
Meal Planning
No different than maintaining a great sleep cycle and the impacts it has on overall health. Allowing your stomach to relax, naturally desire meals, properly digest, and absorb nutrients on a timed basis can definitely train your digestion system to supply the necessary enzymes and effectively complete the digestive process when needed. A well-planned meal schedule can help lower gut inflammation and restore microbiome balance. For best results, try to plan meals at least a day in advance or take an hour on a Sunday to discuss family meals for the week and avoid fast food as much as possible.
Fast food restaurants often use high amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats that can cause stomach upset, digestive issues, affect gut balance, and even pain. If you eat fast food or go out to eat a lot, consider your gut health—it may be time to set some healthier habits. Try sticking to eating at home; if possible, cook your own meals with fresh ingredients rather than relying on takeout or ready-made frozen meals.
If life is busy and you do find yourself needing takeout or frozen meals, check the ingredients at a minimum to avoid any inflammation that may arise from common allergies or ingredients such as milk or wheat if you are aware of any intolerance. It’s not easy finding time to meal prep in our busy lives but it’s worth it for overall gut health, lowering stomach inflammation, and feeling good again.
Digestive Enzymes
A high-quality digestive enzyme supplement can break down foods better than your body can alone, so you can be sure you’re getting all of its nutrients. High-quality enzymes can also help lower inflammation in your stomach by breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to optimize digestion.
As a result, you may notice; a reduction in bloating, gas production, constipation, and even less fatigue as your digestion system has the assistance to process modern-day foods and not work on overdrive to complete the digestion process. (3) Individual results may vary, however from a few days to weeks of taking enzymes, you should notice a huge difference in how often you have stomach aches and how well your food digests. In fact, some people report a near-complete disappearance of their symptoms.
Final Thoughts
To optimize your digestion and reduce Digestive stomach inflammation, consider diet and lifestyle changes. Also adding a daily digestive enzyme supplement to your routine may be extremely beneficial. Digestive enzymes help you break down meals into simple sugars and amino acids, absorb nutrients, and may help reduce gastric pain or common discomforts. Even discomforts associated with IBS, heartburn, acid reflux, and other stomach-related issues. As always, make healthy lifestyle changes—and take digestive enzymes along with them! Whether you want your stomach to feel good again or keep those extra pounds from creeping up on you (for good), consider incorporating healthy habits into your everyday life that will improve digestion and overall health.
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Medical/Healthcare Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure. This post may contain affiliate links.
Related Studies and Information
(1) Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Repair: Role of Microbiome, Infection, and Nutrition – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225330/
(2) Food allergy, coeliac disease and chronic inflammatory bowel disease in man – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9689726/
(3) What Are Digestive Enzymes? – https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-digestive-enzymes-89446