Your Gut Health and Aging! — Midlife Healthy Blog

Let’s talk about a topic a lot of people feel uncomfortable talking about:

DIGESTION

When it’s working great, life is GOOD! And when it’s not, well … you can feel bloated, gassy, sluggish, tired and just plain BLAH.

Many factors can affect your digestion — including getting OLDER. Yes, you read that correctly! Aging has an affect on your digestive system — like we didn’t have enough to worry about!

Research shows that about 40% of older adults have at least one age-related digestive problem every year! That includes constipation … reflux … sensitivities to certain foods … ulcers … polyps … and more.

Plus, as we age it’s common for our digestive systems to slow down, which can exacerbate other problems!

Here are some steps you can take to show your gut some love, keep your digestive system running tickety-boo, as well as some things you can ask your doctor about during your next visit.

• Get at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. This can help with constipation and cut your risk of colon cancer.
• Make sure you get enough fiber by eating veggies, fruits, legumes, and whole grains as part of your everyday diet. These can keep you regular.
• If you’re taking meds (including blood pressure meds or over-the-counter NSAIDs) and are having digestive issues, talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist. Some BP meds are linked with constipation, while NSAIDs can cause ulcers.
• Maintain a healthy weight. This can help prevent health problems that crop up as we age, from high blood pressure to diabetes and heart disease. Fewer health issues generally mean fewer meds, which means fewer digestion-related side effects like constipation.
• Drink water. Slowed digestion can mean more water gets absorbed from food waste, leading to constipation.
• Pay attention to how you feel after eating. If you notice you feel bloated, gassy, or constipated, look for what foods might be triggering it.
• Ask your doctor about supplementing with digestive enzymes to help support your digestion.

Keeping your digestive system in good operating order is so important. Your gut is the gateway to ensuring you get all the nutrients you need from the foods you eat to stay fit, strong, and healthy!

Yours in health and wellness,

Francine Alleyne (RHNP™) Holistic Nutritionist, Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner™

Email: fran@francinealleyne.com

Website: http://www.midlifehealthy.com

Join my Facebook Group, Midlife Healthy Daily!

Instagram: @wellness.with.fran

DISCLAIMER: Please consult your healthcare practitioner if you are experiencing any symptoms. I am not a doctor. This post and anything else you find on my website is intended for informational, educational and self-empowerment purposes ONLY and is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition or disease.

Originally published at https://midlifehealthy.com on June 21, 2021.