Why Neglecting Your Stomach Digestive System Can Cost You Your Health

The stomach and digestive system is often called the gateway to the body. This is a very good description because the digestive tract really is your internal skin. It is your first line of defence you have from the outside world. You’re Digestive System The digestive tract is over 10 metres in length and it begins at the mouth and ends at the anus. This long tubular organ is responsible for many essential functions of the body and the most important is your digestive system. When most people think about the digestive system, the first thought that comes into their head is the digestion of food. Of course, this is an important function, but there is much more to your stomach digestive system than this. Your gut forms the foundation of your immune system. In many ways we often think that the immune and digestive system are separate entities, however this is not the case, as both systems are closely aligned and integrated. For this very reason, the health of your digestion has a direct affect on your overall health. The stomach and digestive system is potentially the weakest link in your body. This is due to it having only one layer of protection unlike your skin, which has several layers of cells that can protect the body from outside invaders. Also, organs such as your liver have a great capacity to take a lot of punishment. In contrast your gut has only one layer of protection. Most People Neglect Their Digestive Health The gut is essential to our health but it is probably the most neglected organ in the whole body. People focus more attention on their sagging belly or thighs than they do on their digestive system. This neglect may have something to do with the fact that our digestive tract cannot be seen. We can clearly see the excess fat around our bellies but, in relation to our gut it is definitely a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. For the vast majority of people they only pay attention to their digestive system when things go wrong with it. These commonly arrive in the form of indigestion, a bloated stomach, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps and heartburn. These symptoms are often dealt with by taking over the counter pain relief pills or prescription medications. However, these drugs only temporary relieve the symptoms and you must continue to use them to maintain the effect. This can lead to a dependency on quick fix pills and often the progression to stronger medications to maintain the same level of relief. Although they provide short term relief, these medications are only masking the problem - not solving it. In many cases, the prolonged used of OTC or prescribed medications can make your condition worse. Primary Cause Of Poor Digestion The primary cause of poor digestive health is what we put in our stomach. Too many fatty and greasy foods, cakes, smoking and alcohol can all take their toll on our digestive system. For example, one of the most common ailments related to poor digestion is acid reflux and its common symptom heart burn. We are led to believe that reflux is caused by too much acid. However, a lack of acid in the stomach is the primary cause. This prevents the stomach digesting food properly. Undigested food lies in your stomach where it ferments and rots. This causes the build up of toxic gases creating pressure that forces the esophagus valve to open and where stomach acid can easily flow into. How To Improve Your Stomach And Digestive Health The best way to improve the health of your stomach and digestion system is to stop or least limit the consumption of high fat processed foods. Replace these with more natural and whole foods as you can. Raw vegetables and fruits are a good place to start. They are full of natural goodness and nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals. These foods will repair and cleanse your system in the way nature attended. Taking natural prebiotic dietary supplements are a great way to fast track your way to a balanced digestive system.