Think Youve Got Food Poisoning?
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If youve noticed that youre experiencing more stomach troubles than you used to, youre not alone.
But just because its common doesnt mean it should be tolerated.
The solutions are actually easier to put into practice than you may think.
How does aging affect digestion?
functional medicine doctor and chief medical officer at The Well
Before diving straight into the solutions, it helps to know what exactly is going on in the body.
As you ageusually starting in your 60sdigestive enzymes decrease, particularly one called hydrochloric acid, Dr. Lipman says.
Dr. Lipman says the decrease in digestive enzymes can cause an imbalance in the gut.
This can manifest in a variety of ways including frequent constipation, diarrhea, or heartburn.
(Fun, right?)
(This is often referred to asleaky gut.)
One is to take digestive bitters orapple cider vinegarbefore eating to help kickstart digestion.
In Europe, its common to have an aperitif before a meal that does exactly this, he says.
This can often help prevent heartburn too, Dr. Lipman says.
functional medicine doctor and chief medical officer at The Well
Dr. Lipman says there are some supplements that could help, too.
One he often recommends is oregano oil.
Some other supplements that work similarly are olive leaf extract, berberine, and grapefruit seed extract.
You shouldnt be eating on the run; your digestive system works best when youre relaxed, he says.
In other words: if your gut health is off, it will likely manifest in ways beyond digestion.
But stomach problems related to aging is something that absolutely can be addressed.
Why live in any way less than feeling your best?
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