How to Spot and Treat Digestive Problems

Many digestive problems don’t seem to point to poor gut health at first.

But looking closer, it may start to make more sense…

The major role of the digestive system is to break down food and to absorb nutrients from this food into the body. If the gut is damaged, it doesn’t matter how healthy the food or supplements are, the gut will not be able to deliver those nutrients to the rest of the body. That can then lead to digestive problems.

Why is gut health so important?

The body depends largely on the nutrients it absorbs and assimilates. Over two-thirds of neurotransmitters are made in the gut.

The gut is considered the second brain since the majority of serotonin (90% – 95%) is made in the gut, not the brain.

If a gut is inflamed or not functioning optimally, the production of serotonin will be impacted and the end result can be depression.

Bear in mind that an inflamed gut = an inflamed brain = increased risk of depression and dementia.

Poor gut health can be the root cause of most of the current digestive problems.

Since the immune system revolves around the gut, poor gut health can manifest in different ailments with horrendous symptoms.

What are the symptoms of poor gut health?

When the digestive system isn’t working correctly the following symptoms may be present:

Bloating, belching, burning, or flatulence after meals
Heartburn and acid reflux
Bad breath
A sense of never-full, binge eating
A sense of bloating or fullness after eating
Indigestion
Diarrhoea
Food intolerances (sensitivity to grain and dairy)
Constipation
Allergic reactions after eating
Itchy skin, ears, or rectum
Weak or cracked fingernails
Dilated capillaries in the cheeks and nose
Skin irritations such as perioral dermatitis, acne, rosacea
Iron deficiency
Chronic yeast infections
Fatigue
Loss of menstrual cycle or severe PMS
Diffuse or localized abdominal pain (contractions, spasms, heartburn, etc.)
Changes in digestive transit, such as bouts of constipation or diarrhoea, and sometimes both alternately.

There are many different conditions related to the digestive system. Some may not last long and could be symptomatic to other things – such as constipation and diarrhoea. However, some are long-lasting, life-changing and need proper care and support to help manage the condition.

What other health conditions are related to poor gut health?

Allergies
Candida
Changes in brain function
Coeliac Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Diarrhoea
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Gallstones
Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Leaky gut syndrome
Skin problems
Ulcerative Colitis

The transit time of food should be between 24-36 hours from eating to elimination.

What causes poor gut health?

The culprits that can play a part in damaging the gut health are:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen relieve pain and inflammation by blocking an enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase.

The problem is that this enzyme also performs important functions, such as protecting the stomach from the corrosive effects of its own acid, which strengthens the activity of the immune system. Because of this, they can cause intestinal inflammation, damaging the lining of the intestine and causing intestinal permeability.

This process can turn on an autoimmune response in the body. Among people who chronically use NSAIDs, research estimates that 65% will develop intestinal inflammation and up to 30% will develop ulcers.

Antibiotics

Frequent use of antibiotics can decrease the beneficial, protective gut bacteria (good flora). With the body’s natural defenses down, antibiotics are more prone to damage to the gut’s lining. What’s worse is that without some healthy intervention, the body’s unique diversity of trillions of beneficial bacteria won’t automatically be recovered after it’s lost.

Stress

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system’s response to infection. The brain and intestines are mediated by many of the same hormones (which is why the gut is referred to as the second brain). This connection is referred to as the gut-brain axis.

Alcohol

Overuse of alcohol has a negative impact on just about every system in the body. As far as the intestines go, alcohol can irritate the stomach and intestines and suppress the hormones which protect against the inflammation that contributes to the leaky gut syndrome.

Grains

The negative impact of gluten is well documented now, but in a few years research will find a similar, possibly even worse, the negative impact from other gluten-free grains. With their abundance of amylose sugars that cause inflammation, anti-nutrients such as lectins and phytates that bind to the intestines and make nutrients inactive in the body, grains can cause a wide array of damage to the gut and our health.

How is poor gut health treated?

The diet is the most important factor in getting gut health on par.

Remove the bad

The goal is to get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the GI tract such as inflammatory foods, infections and gastric irritants like alcohol, caffeine or medication (if possible). Inflammatory foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and sugar can lead to food sensitivities.

Follow the Manna 7-day damage control program to get rid of all the “bad” foods. Infections can be from parasites, yeast or bacteria.

A comprehensive stool analysis is key to determining the levels of good bacteria as well as any infections that may be present. Removing the infections may require treatment with herbs, anti-parasite medication, anti-fungal medication or even antibiotics.

Replace, restore and repair

Replace the “bad” food with “good” food, which is beneficial to gut health.

Add back in the essential ingredients for proper digestion and absorption that may have been depleted by diet, medication (such as anti-acid medications), diseases or aging.

Restore the balance in the gut with the correct digestive enzymes, probiotics, and l-glutamine that are required for proper digestion. Consuming foods high in soluble fibre is very important.

Follow the FREE Manna Digestive Health Protocol

The Manna Digestive Health Protocol offers a total overview of what to do in order to get the gut health back to where it should be.

Take the Manna GUT Support Daily

What is Manna GUT Support?

The Manna GUT Support is an all-natural supplement that helps to reinstate digestive bacteria (good flora) & essential digestive enzymes which help to improve gut health and strengthen the immune system.

How does it work for digestive problems?

Manna GUT Support reinstates the good bacteria and essential digestive enzymes in the digestive tract, assisting in the relief of digestive problems and increases the immune function of the body.

The Manna GUT Support is FREE from ALL major potential allergens and is free of ANY additives

What are the benefits of Manna GUT Support?

Helps to reinstate the balance of digestive flora & essential digestive enzymes
Helps to improve digestive health and the function of the immune system
Suitable for weight loss, PCOS, IBS, Insulin Resistance, Diabetes, Candida, Infertility, Psoriasis, High Blood Pressure, and High Cholesterol.
The different ingredients work in a holistic manner to balance the microorganisms in the digestive tract.
Digestive Enzymes assist in the breakdown of food
Probiotics provide ‘friendly’ intestinal flora that protects the intestines against harmful bacteria, and
L-Glutamine assists with the renewal of the lining of the digestive tract.