A stomach ache can be extremely agitating and can distract us from important everyday activities. We generally don’t pay our digestive health much attention until we end up having an upset stomach. The causation of digestive problems is mostly under our control. Unknowingly, we tend to abuse our digestive system by filling it with unhealthy foods, in large quantities, at inappropriate times. There are plenty of other lifestyle factors that contribute to digestive difficulties most of us experience.

In order to prevent easily avoidable digestive problems, we must first identify our contemporary lifestyle choices that have a negative impact on our digestive health. Here are some common mistakes you might be making that are hindering your digestive system from functioning optimally.

Sleep deprivation

Sleeping difficulties have become widespread in the past decade. According to a study in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three Americans does not get enough sleep on a daily basis. Aside from mental clarity, our physiology is largely dependent on adequate rest. Digestion needs its fair share of blood and energy. During day time, while we are performing physical activities, most of the blood is directed towards our skeletal muscles. At night, while our body is at rest, the digestive system gets an opportunity to recharge itself. The digestive enzymes are produced along with hormones that aid the digestive process which consequently result in your body effectively digesting food the next day. Your digestive system takes a toll every time you don’t get enough sleep.

Loading up on booze

Everything is okay in moderation. Weekends are usually the time when we choose to knock back a few drinks to blow off some steam. However, you must know that alcoholic beverages like beer for instance, are made from fermenting cereals containing gluten. This means beer has living Candida yeast that triggered the fermentation process. Consuming Candida as well as gluten has been linked to causing a leaky gut. This means toxins, undigested food particles and even microbes can enter your blood circulation causing diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies and poor immune system. Scientific studies have also inferred that alcohol damages the epithelial lining of the digestive tract and causes inflammation in the gut, both of these factors can augment the onset of a leaky gut.

Broad spectrum antibiotics

We have been reckless with antibiotic use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that about half of all prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary. This overuse is not only speeding up the evolution of superbugs but is also compromising our digestive system. Bacteria can be good and bad. The good kind resides in various sites of our body in a mutually symbiotic relationship. E.Coli in our gut produces B complex vitamins and vitamin K for us. Billions of these helpers reside inside our gut. Using a broad spectrum, antibiotic can kill the infectious bacteria as well as the ones inside our gut that’s digesting food for us. This may lead to nutrient deficiencies, leaky gut, diarrhea and improper immune function since our gut bacteria also play a role in improving immune response. It’s best to use narrow spectrum antibiotics that are specific for the pathogen we need to target instead of launching a rampage with broad spectrum antibiotics.

Sources*

http://bellalindemann.com/5-steps-save-gut-antibiotics/

http://blog.naturessunshine.com/en/7-everyday-mistakes-wreak-havoc-digestive-system/

https://bodyecology.com/articles/top-5-foods-that-damage-your-digestion

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