The holidays often bring an extra dose of sugary treats and added stress – the perfect storm for gut health imbalances (otherwise known as tummy trouble).
Of course, digestive issues are not just seasonal. Throughout the year, nearly 3/4 of Americans are living with gas, bloating, stomach cramps, food intolerances, acid reflux, and constipation. Unfortunately, gut health problems don’t stop there.
Did you know that autoimmune diseases like Hashimotos, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, depression and anxiety, weight loss resistance, and chronic pain can be triggered or flared up by, poor gut health? This is most often caused by a gut imbalance called dysbiosis or increased permeability called “leaky gut”.
None of us want to start the New Year with aches, pains, bloating, extra weight, or an autoimmune flare . . . So, what can we do to keep our guy happy through the holidays?
While there will surely be some sweets and treats on occasion, filling our belly with gut health promoting foods the other hours of the day is key.
We can make choices that include anti-inflammatory foods ideal for protecting and healing the digestive tract. We also need to include foods packed with probiotics and prebiotics to help strengthen the gut microbiome (all the good guy bacteria).
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