Healthy Digestion – Improved Health and Well-being by Anni Dahms

By Anni Dahms, Owner of the retail chain ANNI’s VITAL SHOP.
Nurse- & Health specialist,  Biopath and Nutritional Adviser.

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From the time you’ve eaten your meal until you pass the remnants of it, ideally, only 24 to 36 hours should elapse. Many ’wise’ individuals claim that it doesn’t matter if it takes longer, asserting that it’s quite normal, but normalcy doesn’t necessarily indicate quality. We all know that it feels incredibly uncomfortable when there’s too much time between our bowel movements.

 

The Connection between the Digestive System and Health

Several disorders and diseases originate in one way or another from the digestive system. That’s why many people look at me a bit strangely when they complain about some ailment in their body, and I, as the first thing, often ask them how their digestive system is doing. I don’t think I’ve ever had a person, who, alongside discomfort somewhere in the body, has told me, ’My digestive system is absolutely perfect; that’s where I feel really good.’ Many endocrine disorders have their origins in the digestive system.
Among psychological disorders, fear, nervousness, impatience, anger, and irritability are conditions connected to the health of the digestive system, which we all undoubtedly know either in the form of constipation or the opposite like diarrhoea. It’s worth noting next time you feel irritated and impatient that you might be weakening your immune system at this very moment. Personally, I believe that most conditions of anger and impatience fundamentally stem from fear.

The Digestive System – the home of the immune system

A significant portion of the immune system, between 70-80%, originates from the digestive system. In Chinese medicine, a pivotal aspect of my complementary medicine education, various parts of the digestive system are considered to be connected to other organs, where disorders often manifest. For instance, a poor colon is often linked to respiratory and/or skin issues, such as asthma, bronchitis, and/or acne or other skin problems.

Antibiotics and Gut Health

When you have an infection, you might take antibiotics that cannot distinguish between good and bad bacteria. As antibiotics are tasked with clearing most bacteria, both good and bad, your immune system becomes low again, and you may have to resort to another round of antibiotic treatment. The vicious circle is now in motion. When I write like this, you must know that I am deeply grateful for antibiotics but only when absolutely necessary, and simultaneously, with antibiotic intake, you should ensure the stabilisation of the healthy gut flora.

The Journey through the Digestive System

The entire digestive system begins with the mouth and esophagus, where food is initially broken down, chewed, and swallowed. It then progresses to the stomach, where food is digested and served in small portions to the small intestine, pancreas, and gallbladder, where further breakdown and absorption of nutrients take place. The majority of nutrients are absorbed here. If your small intestine is not functioning properly, weakened by free radicals, inflamed, and damaged, you often have a leaky gut. In such a condition, some nutrients, intended to be broken down into absorbable units, instead pass undigested into the bloodstream, contributing to a weakened immune system. The next section is the large intestine, where nutrients and water are also absorbed. Waste is then transported to the rectum, where it is normally expelled once or multiple times a day.

Diet

The most crucial thing is to chew your food slowly. First, take a moment to look at it, perhaps express a small thank you within yourself for the delightful meal you are about to eat. Thus, your digestive secretions have already started to be produced. In the mouth, about 1 liter of saliva is formed daily, containing important enzymes and lactobacilli. The entire act of chewing is the foundation for good digestion. I often encounter people who practically gulp down their food, and I often ask them if they are also gulping down their lives.

Balanced Diet

Ensure that you eat a balanced diet and listen to your body, what it craves. As a health practitioner, I often observed that young children had a very fine intuition and ate foods that were good for them, until they became dependent and often pressured into foods that were not precisely beneficial for their individuality. As adults, it is immediately more challenging. We don’t give ourselves time to feel what we truly desire, and we don’t dare to believe it because ‘experts’ might say the opposite of our instincts.

Food Intuition and Food Choices

Our food intuition has largely been spoiled by sugary foods, candy, alcohol, medicine, etc. But somewhere, often deep within, we know what we need. Avoid the foods you feel intolerant to.

Meat Quality and Dairy Products

If you eat meat, choose quality meat, and be cautious with too much red meat, as it often has a long transit time through the digestive system. If you are a big fan of dairy products, be a bit careful and perhaps cut down on them. Many people lack the enzymes needed to break down lactose. Furthermore, dairy products are highly mucus-forming.

Alternatives to Dairy Products

If you are one of those who prefer to have full-fat cheese sprinkled over their food, be careful; it tends to cling in a plastic-like manner to the digestive system. You might consider switching to other milk forms, such as rice milk, soy milk, buckwheat milk, almond milk, etc. There is also a wide range of vegan-sourced cheese alternatives.

Avoid Refined Foods

Be cautious with refined foods such as products made from white flour and white rice. Instead, ensure you get enough fiber in your diet from whole grain products. Eat plenty of vegetables and salads, and remember to drink plenty of water, 6-8 glasses daily, not with meals but after or between meals.

Dietary Supplements

In addition to a multivitamin/mineral supplement along with essential oils, I recommend many people to supplement with a daily dose of probiotics containing acidophilus, bifidus, etc., as the daily diet is usually so refined and removed from its original state.

Vitamin C Powder and Minerals

Vitamin C powder mixed with magnesium and calcium helps keep the stomach in order, especially if there is a tendency for the stool to be a bit hard.

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera juice is beneficial for both digestion and soothing a sensitive digestive system.

 

Regulation of Stomach Acid

Some people have too much stomach acid and easily experience acid reflux, especially after consuming certain foods. In such cases, Samarin can be helpful. Conversely, some people produce too little stomach acid, with symptoms often mirroring those of excess stomach acid. It’s crucial not to consume acid-neutralizing agents if you have too little stomach acid. Symptoms of insufficient stomach acid often include feeling tired and heavy after meals, particularly if the food is protein-rich, such as a large steak. The most common age for insufficient stomach acid is after 35 years. People with too little stomach acid often report feeling unwell and bloated after eating meat. Brittle nails and hair loss are also symptoms of insufficient stomach acid.

Molkosan and Cleansing

Molkosan can be a good idea to take, especially if you are unsure whether you have too much or too little stomach acid. Take 1 teaspoon 1-3 times daily in a glass of water. Molkosan has a regulating effect on both conditions. If you feel the need for cleansing, numerous herbal blends are available in tablet form, herbal tea, or as green drinks.

Chlorella as Superfood

Chlorella, a single-celled freshwater microalgae, is rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, and has a high protein content with all amino acids. Chlorella possesses significant detoxifying properties, used, for example, in mercury detoxification. Moreover, it is excellent for combating constipation and stimulates the immune system. Chlorella is available in various brands, and it is essential to opt for high-quality products.

 

Digestive Enzymes for Fatigue and Intolerance

If you suffer from fatigue, bloating, or intolerance, supplementing with digestive enzymes, such as Papaya and bromelain found in many combination preparations, can be beneficial in many cases.

Tips

It can be a good source of inspiration to eat according to your blood type, especially if you experience digestive issues. Following your blood type for a period has been the dietary approach where I’ve seen the most people feel good, and personalized blood type diets can easily be adapted for the whole family without much effort.

It’s essential to know that a healthy gut flora produces several B-vitamins and K-vitamins.

Old grief and anger are often linked to intestinal problems, so make sure to process them in one way or another.

Also, ensure an adequate amount of exercise, preferably a 30-minute walk twice a day. It positively impacts both joy of life, muscles, and good intestinal peristalsis.

Louise Hay generally writes about the intestines, stating that the intestines represent the release of waste and that a new thought pattern could be: ”It’s easy to let go of waste.”