DIGESTIVE HEALTH
In the 75 years since the end of the second World War, our society has changed in unimaginable ways. We evolved from a largely rural and agrarian society to one in which 60-70% of our population lives in dense cities.
In the past, our families would often raise their own chickens, goats, cattle, vegetables and fruit on family plots. Today we rely on supermarkets and large food industries to supply our table.
In the past, our work was usually active, and usually ended as the day ended. Today, our work is largely sedentary, and goes on 24/7. And we are tethered to it by smartphones, tablets and laptops that compete incessantly for our attention.
In the past, the salary of one working male was usually sufficient to raise an entire family. Today, even the salaries of two working parents are no longer enough to provide for a family in the city centre.
The results of this are predictable:
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Instead of moving as part of our work, we move to get to work. The rest of the time, we sit.
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Instead of eating healthy food that we have grown (or has been grown within a 20 km radius of where we are), we eat processed food, or food that has arrived on a supply chain thousands of kilometers long.
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Instead of the satisfaction of a day’s work, we have continual anxiety, blaring news headlines and vampiric social media.
It should be no surprise that we struggle with obesity, type 2 diabetes and digestive problems. These are all the results of our lifestyle, including how we eat.
And yet health and wellness without the right diet is impossible.
Your digestive system breaks down foods and liquids into their chemical components – carbohydrates, fats, proteins - that the body can absorb as nutrients and use for energy to build or repair cells.
According to Healthline, numerous studies in the past two decades have demonstrated links between gut health and the immune system, mood, mental health, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, skin conditions, and cancer.
The term “gut microbiome” refers specifically to the microorganisms living in your intestines. Each person has about 300 to 500 different species of bacteria in their digestive health. The balance of these microorganisms is beneficial and necessary for a healthy body.
In case you are encountering chronic digestive problems, make sure you consult your doctor for advice.
From a health and wellness perspective, consider the following lifestyle changes to improve your digestive health:
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Avoid deep-fried, heavily processed and spicy foods. Ensure you are getting a balanced mix of food groups, including fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Eat regular meals, focusing on breakfast, lunch and dinner, and consume a balanced diet at this time. When sitting down to your meal: focus on your eating and chew your food properly. Do not eat while reading social media or watching movies, as these can promote unhealthy eating habits.
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Drink water with each meal. Ensure you are drinking water throughout the day.
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Try to set aside your stress and anxiety while eating. This will cause you to eat quickly, or to over-eat, promoting indigestion.
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Check for food allergies or intolerances. You may get food allergies as you age and your body changes. You may also get these from eating new types of food, or even from environmental factors you may not be aware of.
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Consider taking a prebiotic or digestive food supplement. Debene carries Prolacton and its variants, as well as Ki-Valin. (see below for more information).
Above all, visit a doctor if your digestive health issues persist.
Sources
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Healthline. What’s an Unhealthy Gut? How Gut Health Affects You
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Gut Bacteria in Health and Disease
Debene suggests the following products to help your gut stay healthy:
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KI – VALIN. Made from kiwifruit juice extract, KI-VALIN promotes good digestion and gut health benefits. Kiwi fruits contain actinidin, a natural enzyme that helps the digestive system by enabling it to digest proteins, particularly those present in meat and diary products. Actinidin behaves the same way as the natural digestive enzyme, pepsin, produced in the stomach.
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PROLACTON, PROLACTON PLUS, PROLACTON KIDS and PROLACTON TRAVEL improve intestinal disorders and reinforce beneficial intestinal flora. These supplements have prebiotic formulations capable of restoring microflora and providing synergistic effects along the gastrointestinal tract, improving proper digestive functioning and the immune system.
The supplements provide beneficial effects for:
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Gastro-intestinal and intestinal microflora balance
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Immunity support and restoration after antibiotic treatment
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Detoxification, support during mycoses and candida treatment
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Protection against mycoses and yeast infections
