Modern living has caused us to take shortcuts where it matters most—our health. Digestive and overall health requires us to look within and to take care of all aspects starting from mood regulation to physical activity. In the fast-paced world we live in, taking that time for our health can feel close to impossible but knowing the steps people are taking to make this journey a little easier helps us get closer to the goals we are working towards.
Today, we are going to discuss certain trends people are following to support their gut and overall health. From meal timing to stomach acid production, the different factors that play into our digestive status are endless but can help us better understand our bodies and how to take care of them.
Let's begin our journey toward digestive wellness by examining these powerful yet accessible approaches that can help restore balance to your inner ecosystem.
The Effects of Increased Meal Frequency and What It Does to Your Appetite and Digestion
While the idea behind three meals a day has been around for quite some time, there is a new rise in interest surrounding eating more meals of smaller quantity that surpasses the three count tradition we have come to know. On social platforms, people are claiming that changing their lifestyle to become compatible with smaller and more frequent meals has been optimal for their gut health, but is there any true merit to this?
There’s a chance this might do more harm than good.
When we eat more frequently, our digestive system rarely gets a break. This constant state of digestion can disrupt the migrating motor complex (MMC), a crucial cleansing wave that sweeps through your intestines between meals, clearing out undigested food particles and bacteria. The MMC only activates after approximately 90-120 minutes without food—a timeframe that frequent eating patterns rarely allow.
Consistently consuming food can also elevate insulin levels that can contribute to insulin sensitivity in the long run and can mess with your internal hunger signals. It is important that we are able to get those hunger signals in order to better understand the needs of our bodies and to avoid overeating which can cause even more gut complications.
On the other hand, spacing your meals can actually be beneficial to your stomach as it gives your body the chance to properly digest. Instead of looking to jump on this trend, consider taking the time to evaluate your own body’s needs as everyone is different.
Understanding your own natural rhythm will help you to give your body the support it needs which in turn will be the best for optimal digestion.
Low Stomach Acid: How Does it Occur and How to Manage It
Despite the fact that antacids are commonplace in the world of over/the-counter treatments to complications such as heartburn and indigestion, people often overlook the power of stomach acid on their digestive health. However, it might not be in the way that you think. While antacids work to treat the overproduction of acid in the stomach and its effects, an insufficiency in stomach acid can have its own complications.
Stomach acid works to activate digestive enzymes, absorb minerals, and protect against harmful bacteria. A low production of stomach acid can make us vulnerable and leads to complications in successfully acting out these bodily functions. This can cause symptoms that are extremely similar to those that occur with an overproduction of stomach acid, including but not limited to, heartburn and indigestion.
A decline in stomach acid production could be caused by natural aging, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, or certain medical conditions. While digestive complications are the most obvious symptoms of low stomach acid, the side effects do not end there. Nutritional deficiencies, skin complications, and low immunity levels are all possible with low stomach acid production.
It is important to speak to a physician if you think your stomach acid production is elevated or extremely low as they will be best equipped to understand what might be going on in your system.
The Power of Grounding and What It Means for Your Digestive Health
Grounding refers to the act of physically reconnecting with the Earth’s surface. This ritual has been gaining traction in society for being beneficial to one’s health, but how? Grounding requires one to be directly connected to the Earth’s surface whether that is the soil, grass, or so forth. This connection allows our bodies to directly absorb and receive the Earth’s electrical charge. The idea of grounding essentially stems from the belief that this electrical charge can help to refuel our mind, body, and spirit.
Our modern lifestyle, characterized by shoes, insulated buildings, and constant exposure to electromagnetic fields from electronics, has largely disconnected us from this natural electrical connection. This disconnection coincides with rising rates of inflammatory conditions, including those affecting the digestive system.
When it comes to digestive health, grounding can help to reduce potential inflammation that might be present in the gut. Many digestive complications include some sort of inflammation whether externally or internally that could benefit from this ritual.
Grounding is also a great way to bring the body down from a state of fight-or-flight. When the body is in a state of chronic stress, our focus shifts from digestion and rest to state of panic. Grounding can help to recenter us and trigger our parasympathetic nervous system. When we are in a calm state, we are better able to absorb nutrients, digest food, and act out our responsibilities.
Incorporating grounding into your routine doesn't require elaborate equipment or significant time investment. Try walking barefoot on any form of natural ground for at least 15 minutes a day and take note of how you feel.
As we continue to navigate this world of wellness, we are introduced to a number of different methods and tricks that could be beneficial to our digestive health. We are here to help navigate the rising trends and tried and true ideas together!