By avoiding gluten in wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt for one or two weeks, many people see symptoms improve. The first thing I recommend for anyone suffering with occasional GI distress is to avoid all sources (including many hidden sources) of gluten. Choose organic (whenever possible), fresh and unprocessed “real” food, and eliminate all vegetable oils and reduce or eliminate processed sugars and genetically modified (GMO) foods, which can be loaded with toxic pesticides and herbicides, such as glyphosate, a known gut-disruptor. Eat high-quality, fresh and unprocessed, non-GMO food.Īmericans spend 90% of their food dollars on processed foods, which is a recipe for disaster for gut health.8 Key Steps to Supporting Gut and Bowel Health and Comfort*įortunately, there are some simple strategies you can use to help protect your microbiome while addressing your occasional symptoms and helping promote GI health, function and overall comfort.* In fact, research shows that people who experience occasional gastrointestinal distress may have nerves in their guts that are more active than those in individuals who don’t get occasional symptoms like bloating, cramping, spasms and discomfort.īecause your microbiome is so vitally important for all aspects of your health – including gut health and comfort – protecting it must be your highest priority. Researchers believe that disturbances to your microbiome may play a crucial role in the development of occasional GI symptoms. The extremely complex community of gut microbes living in your gastrointestinal tract – an important part of your body’s microbiome – includes trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other life forms that far exceed the number of your own cells. Your brain, immune system and your gut microbes “talk” to each other through this communication channel that runs along your vagus nerve – a cranial nerve that extends from your brain stem down to your abdomen. Your gastrointestinal tract has its own nervous system called the enteric nervous system. Stress also alters your brain-gut connection – that crucial communication link between your gut and brain.ĭisruption in this vital communication pathway can have long-lasting effects on the health and function of not only your entire gastrointestinal system, but also your cognition and mood.

Plus, the supply of oxygen to your gut diminishes. With less blood flow to your digestive system, your output of enzymes and nutrient absorption declines dramatically. Unfortunately, this type of response wreaks havoc on your gut as well. As part of your body’s natural fight-or-flight response, blood shunts away from your digestive organs to your head, arms and legs. Stress causes your heart rate and blood pressure to rise. And when you’re under stress – or even just thinking stressful thoughts – your body’s reactions can take a toll on your well-being. Occasional GI distress can not only make you feel miserable, it can impact your social life, interrupt your physical activity and even impact you financially if you need to miss work.ĭealing with the symptoms of GI distress can be stressful. Even though these symptoms often exist with no diagnosed physical condition behind them, they can disrupt life in many ways. Typical symptoms can include occasional bloating, cramping, burning, spasms, gas, fullness, irregularity and abdominal discomfort. Regardless, occasional gastrointestinal (GI) issues are the second highest reason for employees to call in sick, only after the common cold. Many simply ignore their symptoms, hoping they will go away. While only a small percentage may actually visit their health care provider for their complaints, countless others change their diets or seek over-the-counter remedies for relief. However, you’re far from alone – it’s estimated that up to 30% of the general population experiences them at times. If you experience occasional symptoms of gastrointestinal distress, it’s easy to feel alone in your suffering.

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