How To Have An Excellent Digestion
According to Ayurveda, the health and integrity of the digestive process is the foundation for one's health. Around 75% of Americans suffer from some type of digestive distress. This is quit alarming! Optimal digestion is the key for a healthy immune system, balanced moods, steady energy, stable blood sugar, strength and vitality.
Before you:
Stop eating gluten
Stop eating dairy
Stop eating big lunches because they make you sleepy
Become a Vegan or Raw Foodist
Start eating Paleo
Start eating six small meals a day
Consider these steps in creating a healthy digestion.
Gluten or dairy are not required as part of a healthy diet. Whether you are a vegan, raw foodist or follow paleo diets, is not the issue. Changing your diet may help with the symptoms, but it will probably not solve the primary digestive issues.
The foundational treatment in Ayurveda is going to the root cause of all the symptoms or dis-ease a person may experience.
Follow these steps to create a healthy digestion:
Take your time to eat and rest after eating. When you take time to relax during a meal, the parasympathetic nervous system, also called the "rest-and-digest" nervous system, turns on which encourages digestion.
Do not eat in front of the TV, at your desk or while driving or stressed.
Take a 15 minute walk after you eat. Studies have shown that a walk shortly after a meal supports healthy weight loss. Having to walk to and from your lunch break may make all the difference!
Do not eat when you are not hungry. Eating when not hungry can be harmful.
Space out your meals by at least three to four hours to allow for complete digestion.
Avoid grazing. This weakens the digestive fire.
Reduce the amount of leftovers you eat. Get in the habit of cooking fresh meals more often. My teacher would always say..."Leftovers, processed foods and frozen foods are "dumb and dead" foods."
Do not drink iced drinks during meals. It is best to drink hot or room temperature drinks during a meal.
Eighty percent of the immune system lies in the half inch between the intestinal villi and the lymphatic drainage that surrounds the gut. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the detox and digestive channels are one and the same. Which means that a compromised digestive tract could lead to an inability at eliminating the body of toxins and other pollutants, creating a weakened immune system.
