Digestive support

Proper functioning of the digestive organs is vital for our body. The correct digestion of consumed food not only provides the necessary energy for the body to function, but also numerous auxiliary and building materials that are needed to ensure that maintenance and repair processes in the body run smoothly. However, for many people, digestion does not run smoothly: they can suffer to a greater or lesser extent from symptoms such as bloating after a meal, stomach pain, nausea, burning sensation in the stomach, acid reflux, incomplete digestion, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain or abdominal cramps. These complaints can be the result of various digestive disorders, of which dyspepsia (indigestion), gastritis, chronic intestinal inflammation, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are the best known.

In the Netherlands, about 80,000 people have chronic intestinal inflammation and about 15-20% of women and 5-20% of men have IBS. The use of medication also shows the extent of the digestive problems. In the top 10 medicines in 2020, antacids were in first (omeprazole) and second (pantoprazole) place. In third place were drugs for better intestinal function (macrogol and others). In addition to regular medication, with sometimes unpleasant and unwanted side effects, there are certain herbs and other nutrients that can help digestion.

Tips to support your digestion

• Eat healthy and varied
• Pay attention to the ratio of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
• Eat enough fiber. These are important for good digestion by, among other things, keeping your stool supple. They also help prevent constipation and diarrhea. The fermentable fibers serve as food for your intestinal bacteria (intestinal flora)
• Drink enough. The body needs fluids to remove waste products and keep stools supple. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and therefore a negative influence on digestion. The mucous membrane in the esophagus and stomach can also become irritated by alcohol
• Avoid too much stress, stress has a negative impact on digestion

Tailor-made advice

There are various health professionals you can turn to for tailor-made advice, for example an orthomolecular therapist. The starting point of orthomolecular nutrition and medicine is that a healthy, balanced diet, supplemented with optimally dosed nutritional supplements, can provide the body cells with optimal amounts of all the necessary nutrients. In this way, health can be maintained or significantly improved. This also applies to digestion. In case of persistent complaints, get advice from a specialist