Our digestive system is a long pathway in our bodies that is responsible for breaking down and processing food, absorbing nutrients, and expelling waste. Over our lifetime, our digestive system will break down more than 25 tons of food! System organs include our mouth, spleen, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, and colon. For more about each organ’s responsibilities, read Dr. Axe’s article about How Your Digestive System Works.
We commonly believe this is our digestive system’s only job,
process food, but it is also our first line of defense again infection and
works closely with our immune system. Think about this, through the food we eat
and liquid we drink the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is exposed to pathogens,
including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In concert with our immune system, our
GI tract works tirelessly to break down those pathogens at various stages of
digestion. Without this process, our GI tract is the perfect warm, moist, dark location
for colonization. With this relentless barrage of food, chemicals, and
pathogens, our GI tract never gets a break. The lining of our digestive system
must always protect itself while also discriminating particles that are permitted
through to the blood stream.
Digestive problems are becoming more prevalent within the
United States population. In 2010, it was estimated that 60-70 million people
were affected by digestive diseases and there were 245, 921 deaths (National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases). The total cost of
these digestive problems, which includes both direct and indirect costs, was
$141 billion in 2004. The most common GI problems include gas, bloating,
excessive diarrhea, constipation, and inability to absorb nutrients. There is
also overwhelming medical evidence that there is a link between our digestive
system and emotional health, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The most astounding
part about all this is that these problems are preventable!
It all starts with nutrition. This cannot be stressed
enough. I think that there is a lot of misinterpretation of information by
consumers. Many of us think we are
eating healthy because we are eating low fat, or low carb diets or eating “clean”.
These are all buzz words that do not really mean a whole lot if you do not
truly understand what you are putting into your body. It is important to eat
organic, nutrient dense foods. Lot of vegetables of course, free range chicken,
grass feed beef, fermented foods, and absolutely no processed sugar or
conventional meat and dairy products. That may sound like a lot, but I promise
that it is easier than you think. It is important to also know what triggers an adverse response from the gut; Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) kill gut bacteria because they are loaded with chemicals; antibiotics kill EVERYTHING in the gut; gluten, processed sugar (feed yeast in intestines) and conventional dairy can all wreak havoc. Check out this video from Buzzfeed that will totally turn you off to conventional meats and dairy.
You also should consume pre and probiotics
because we absolutely need good strains of bacteria in our guts for immune
support. We should also use essential oils that support digestive organ health
and remove harmful bacteria. Lastly, exercise has a huge influence on your
digestive health. As mentioned before, stress and emotional problems can affect
our bowls in horrible ways. Physical activity and stress management techniques
are imperative for keeping the digestive system working at optimal levels.
Just remember this, your immune system starts in your gut!
Support the gut and everything else will fall into place!
Disease/Disorders Associated with Gut Health
(Read Dr. Axe’s article about gut and autoimmune disease:
link below)
Depression/Anxiety
ADHD
Acne
Eczema
Psoriasis
Hashimoto’s
Hypothyroidism
Grave’s Disease
Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Chron’s
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fibroidmyalia
Single Oils
Stomach: black pepper, fennel, ginger, wild orange
Stomach /intestinal lining: grapefruit, peppermint
Intestines: cardamom, ginger, marjoram, peppermint
Liver: cilantro, geranium, grapefruit,
lemon, rosemary
Gallbladder: geranium, grapefruit
Pancreas: dill, fennel, geranium, ginger, thyme
Buy essential oils from me here
Blends
DigestZen
(Digestive) Blend: supports digestion and elimination
Slim
& Sassy (Metabolic) Blend: supports stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver,
gallbladder, fat digestion, and satiation
AromaTouch
(Massage) Blend: supports peristalsis and bowel tone
Zendocrine
(Detoxification) Blend: supports gallbladder, liver, and pancreas
Buy essential oils from me here
Supplements
PB
Assist+ (Defensive Probiotic): You need a supplement with at least 50 billion IU
DigestZen
(Digestive) Blend Softgels
TerraZyme
(Food Enzymes)
GX
Assist (GI Cleansing) Softgels
L-gutamine: crucial amino acid for gut health
Gingseng
Buy supplements from me here
Foods That Nourish and Heal Gut
Bone Broth
Coconut Oil
Sauerkraut and fermented veggies
Goat's milk kefir
Blueberries
Squash
Essential Oil Usage Tips
Internal: Place 1 - 5 drops in water and drink, take in capsule, or place drops under tongue.
Topical: Apply essential oils to abdomen and/or bottoms on feet.
Remedy Recipes
IBS Relief*:
4 drops Frankincense
2 drops Peppermint
2 drop Fennel
2 drops Ginger
Combine oils in capsule and take three times a day with meals.
Constipation Remedy*:
7 drops Wild Orange
5 drops Coriander
4 drops Lemon
4 drop DigestZen
2 drop Ginger
Combine in 2 oz. spray bottle; fill about 1/2 full of carrier oil. Spray on belly and rub in clockwise motion for three to five minutes.
Digest-Ease*:
Combine 1 drop each of -DigestZen, Zendocrine, and Oregano in a capsule. Consume to ease digestive discomfort, stomach pain and bloating.
Navel Drop:
Add 1 drop of essential oil (choose one to meet specific digestive needs) into belly bottom for relief.
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References
Axe, J. (n.d.) How Your Digestive System Works. Retrieved from http://draxe.com/how-your-digestive-system-works/
Axe. J. (n.d.). 4 Steps To Heal Leaky Gut And Autoimmune Disease. Retrieved from http://draxe.com/4-steps-to-heal-leaky-gut-and-autoimmune-disease/
Center for Disease Control. (2011). National hospital ambulatory
medical care survey: 2011 outpatient department summary tables. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ahcd/nhamcs_outpatient/2011_opd_web_tables.pdf
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestives and Kidney
Diseases. (2014). Health statistics: Digestive disease statistics for the
United States. Retrieved from http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/digestive-diseases-statistics-for-the-united-states.aspx
Total Wellness Publishing. (2015). The Essential Life: A Simple Guide to Living The Wellness Lifestyle (2nd. ed.). Pleasant Grove, UT: Total Wellness Publishing
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
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