When It All Turns to Crap... Does Your Gut Turn To Crap Too?

You're not alone and there's a reason why! When stress is high, we use minerals to manage the stress. Normally, we use those minerals to make our stomach acid! These are some roles of stomach acid;

• Breaks down our food in to little pieces so we can absorb nutrients further on down the gut. With low stomach acid, we don't breakdown and absorb nutrients. 

• Kills off pathogens like bacteria, moulds, parasites, fungus. With low stomach acid, we are more prone to tummy bugs. 

• Physically digests big pieces of food into micro ones. If big food gets in to the bowel, hellllo flatulence.

• Neutralises food acidity so it is suitable for the bowel. If its low, and the food isn't the right acidity in the bowel, we can get inflammation which may lead to constipation, diarrhoea, mucous in the stool and a painful gut.

  So if stress is high, notice these common symptoms;

• Constipation or diarrhoea

• Excess burping or flatulence

• Reflux and or indigestion

• Bloating up the top of your stomach after eating.

  How can we help make stomach acid and heal this part of our gut??? 

• Chew your food really well into a paste. Every bite!

• Eat small bites, slowly, mindfully.

• Avoid overeating.

• Avoid fluids and solids together. We dont want to dilute your stomach acid. 

• Cook with bitter foods often. Things that make you salivate like lemon, ginger, vinegar, herbs, rocket.

• Enjoy well cooked foods like soups, stews and casseroles.

• Eat organic produce that is full of minerals that make stomach acid.

• Be sure to chew your liquids (juices, soups, smoothies) as we signal stomach acid to produce when we chew. Additional medicines that can help with stomach acid? 

• Ginger and gentian herbs.

• Digestive enzymes before meals. 

• 1/2t of Apple Cider Vinegar before meals. 

• A peppermint, dandelion, lemon or ginger tea after meals. 

• Check your zinc and magnesium levels as these make stomach acid.

I would love to hear if you feel the above is relevant to you?

Need extra support??? Reach out at bewell@ecomumma.com

Big love, Charmaine xxx