Key factors for digestive health you are experiencing healty health digwstive you digestivve may be rooted in gut health, talk to your primary care physician about your symptoms and ask if you need a referral to see a gastroenterologist. The liver produces bile, a brownish-yellow liquid that helps to digest fat. It interprets eating fast as if we are in danger.

Key factors for digestive health -

These small, balloon-like pouches are called diverticula. If the diverticula become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can lead to severe complications, such as abscess, perforation tears in the colon wall , intestinal blockage from internal scarring, or fistula, an abnormal connection between two organs.

The most common symptoms of diverticulitis are abdominal pain and tenderness, pressure in the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD. IBD occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the intestines and triggers inflammation of the tissues.

These areas can thicken or wear away in spots, which creates ulcers, cracks, and fissures. Inflammation can allow an abscess a pocket of pus to develop. With UC, inflammation in the lining of the large intestine the colon causes ulcers. This can cause bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.

Other symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the inflammation and where it occurs in the large intestine. They include:. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS. IBS is characterized by recurrent bouts of constipation or diarrhea or both , abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

The severity and duration of symptoms vary. Some are mild and come and go, while others are severe and last several weeks. Some people can go months or years between episodes. Most people are never cured of IBS, but dietary changes, medication, and stress management can help manage the condition.

Gallstones are hardened bits of bile that form inside the gallbladder, a pear-shaped pouch that sits just below the liver. Bile makes it easier for the body to digest fat. Small stones can pass out of the body through the intestines.

However, gallstones can cause symptoms if they get caught in the narrow outlet of the gallbladder or in the ducts that drain the gallbladder.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, usually high in the abdomen and often in the center or on the right side where the gallbladder is located , and can spread to the area of the right shoulder blade.

When symptoms recur or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, the gallbladder needs to be surgically removed. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

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Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. On this page you'll discover What foods can help improve my digestive health? What are common digestive diseases and conditions? Digestive Health Your digestive system breaks down food and liquid into their chemical components—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals—so the body can absorb these nutrients, use them for energy, and build or repair cells.

pagination; this. articles; }. Result - of. View All. Diets high in processed foods have been linked to a higher risk of digestive disorders. Eating a diet low in food additives, trans fats and artificial sweeteners may improve your digestion and protect against digestive diseases. Soluble fiber absorbs water and helps add bulk to your stool.

Insoluble fiber acts like a giant toothbrush, helping your digestive tract keep everything moving along Soluble fiber is found in oats, barley, and legumes, while whole grains, nuts, and seeds are good sources of insoluble fiber.

The daily reference intake DRI for fiber is 25 grams for females aged 19 to For males aged 19 to 50, the DRI for fiber is 38 grams.

However, most people in the United States consume only half of the daily recommended amount A high-fiber diet has been linked to a reduced risk of digestive conditions, including constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancel Prebiotics are another type of fiber that feed your healthy gut bacteria.

Diets high in this fiber have been shown to improve barrier function and reduce inflammation in the gut A high-fiber diet promotes regular bowel movements and may protect against many digestive disorders.

Three common types of fiber are soluble and insoluble fiber, as well as prebiotics. Good digestion may require eating enough fat. Fat helps you feel satisfied after a meal and is needed for proper absorption of certain nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Some studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may decrease your risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis, though more research is needed 14 , Foods high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseeds, chia seeds, nuts especially walnuts , as well as fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines Adequate fat intake improves the absorption of some fat-soluble nutrients.

Low fluid intake is a common cause of constipation 17 , Your total fluid intake comes from plain water, other beverages, and foods you eat. Experts recommend drinking plenty of water each day to make sure you are getting as much fluid as you need without extra sugar and calories. In addition to water , you can also meet your fluid intake with herbal teas and other non-caffeinated beverages such as seltzer water.

Another way to help meet your fluid intake needs is to include fruits and vegetables that are high in water, such as cucumber, peppers, broccoli, strawberries, apples, and oranges Insufficient fluid intake is a common cause of constipation.

Increase your fluid intake by drinking water and non-caffeinated beverages and eating fruits and vegetables that have a high water content. It has been associated with stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation and IBS 21 , 22 , 23 , Stress hormones directly affect your digestion. During periods of stress, blood and energy are diverted away from your digestive system.

Additionally, your gut and brain are intricately connected — what affects your brain may also impact your digestion 22 , Stress management , meditation and relaxation training have all been shown to improve symptoms in people with IBS Other studies have found that cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture and yoga have improved digestive symptoms 26 , 27 , Therefore, incorporating stress management techniques, such as deep belly breathing, meditation or yoga, may improve not only your mindset but also your digestion.

Stress negatively impacts your digestion and has been linked to IBS, ulcers, constipation and diarrhea. Reducing stress can improve digestive symptoms. Mindful eating is the practice of paying attention to all aspects of your food and the process of eating Studies have shown that mindfulness may reduce digestive symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis and IBS Eating slowly and mindfully and paying attention to every aspect of your food, such as texture, temperature and taste, may help prevent common digestive issues such as indigestion, bloating and gas.

Digestion starts in your mouth. Your teeth break down the food into smaller pieces so that the enzymes in your digestive tract are better able to break it down. Poor chewing has been linked to decreased nutrient absorption When you chew your food thoroughly, your stomach has to do less work to turn the solid food into the liquid mixture that enters your small intestine.

Chewing produces saliva, and the longer you chew, the more saliva is made. Saliva helps start the digestive process in your mouth by breaking down some of the carbs and fats in your meal. In your stomach, saliva acts as a fluid, which is mixed with the solid food so that it smoothly passes into your intestines.

Chewing your food thoroughly ensures that you have plenty of saliva for digestion. This may help prevent symptoms such as indigestion and heartburn.

Chewing food thoroughly breaks it down so that it can be digested more easily. The act also produces saliva, which is needed for proper mixing of food in your stomach.

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to improve your digestion. Exercise and gravity help food travel through your digestive system. Therefore, taking a walk after a meal may assist your body in moving things along.

Research suggests that short periods of low to moderate exercise may speed up your digestion, while longer and more intense exercise may slow things down In one review, gentle exercises such as Qigong, walking and physical movement significantly improved constipation symptoms Additionally, studies suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases due to anti-inflammatory effects, such as decreasing inflammatory compounds in your body 35 , Exercise may improve your digestion and reduce symptoms of constipation.

It can also help reduce inflammation, which may be beneficial in preventing inflammatory bowel conditions. Additionally, eating at a moderate-to-fast pace is associated with higher levels of indigestion, which can cause symptoms such as pain, bloating, nausea, and gas Not paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues can negatively impact digestion.

Certain habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and eating late at night are associated with negative effects for your overall health. Smoking is a risk factor for the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD Furthermore, studies have shown that quitting smoking improves acid reflux symptoms Smoking has also been associated with stomach ulcers, increased surgeries in people with ulcerative colitis and gastrointestinal cancers 41 , Alcohol can increase acid production in your stomach and may lead to heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers.

Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract Alcohol has also been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, increased gut permeability, and harmful changes in gut bacteria Eating late at night and then lying down to sleep can lead to heartburn and indigestion.

Your body needs time to digest, and gravity helps keep the food you eat moving in the right direction. Additionally, when you lie down, the contents of your stomach may rise up and cause heartburn.

Lying down after eating is strongly associated with an increase in reflux symptoms If you experience digestive issues at bedtime, try waiting three to four hours after eating before going to bed, to give the food time to move from your stomach to your small intestine.

Habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating late at night can contribute to digestive issues. To improve digestion, consider changing these lifestyle factors. These healthy bacteria assist in digestion by breaking down indigestible fibers that can otherwise cause gas and bloating.

Studies have shown that probiotics may improve symptoms of bloating, gas and pain in people with IBS Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi and miso, as well as yogurts that have live and active cultures.

While research is ongoing, studies suggest that certain types of probiotic supplements may improve IBS symptoms. For example, one meta-analysis found that three types of beneficial bacteria found in supplements — Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, and Lactobacillus acidophilus — were associated with reduced IBS pain Glutamine is an amino acid that supports gut health.

Some studies suggest that glutamine supplementation may reduce intestinal permeability and inflammation, though more research is needed You can increase your glutamine levels by eating foods such as beef, eggs and tofu

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Physiology Basics: the Digestive System, Animation Learn more healht respiratory viruses Key factors for digestive health vaccination for COVID, flu and RSV. Listening to digetive gut is Lean protein sources more than responding to your body ehalth you feel uneasy or need Key factors for digestive health make a decision. The gut refers to your gastrointestinal GI systemKey factors for digestive health health of which faftors generally determined by the levels and types of bacteria in your digestive, intestinal tract. When your GI tract digests food, it breaks it down to the most basic parts and the valuable nutrients are absorbed through the wall of the gut to be transported through the bloodstream. To regulate this process, the gut uses nerves, bacteria and hormones. The bacteria are of particular significance — especially because bacteria tend to get a bad rap. Bacteria form a mucosal layer that strengthens the gut wall and good digestive health is the result of a balance of good and bad bacteria.