CONDITIONS
HEALTH
INDIGESTION
VERSION 1.0
What is it?
When your digestive system is in balance you feel
great and your energy seems endless.
Indigestion is a general term used for many digestive
complaints.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of indigestion include:
• Bloating
• Nausea, diarrhoea and/or vomiting
• Excessive gas
• Heartburn or reflux.
Why it happens?
• Overeating therapeutically important.
• Eating too fast or while stressed Peppermint, ginger, chamomile, fennel and Indian
long pepper aid digestion by easing cramps, bloating
and gas.
• Increasing high-fibre foods into the diet too fast
can cause cramping, bloating and gas
Slippery elm soothes inflamed irritated linings of the
digestive system. Great for heartburn, reflux and peptic
• Certain foods encourage excessive gas eg
ulcers
legumes, fermented foods, raw foods,
carbonated drinks, foods rich in sulphur such as
Aloe vera – the polysaccharides in the aloe vera inner
eggs and cabbage
leaf help relieve the symptoms of Irritable Bowel
Syndrome and ulcerative colitis such as diarrhoea,
• Food allergies can cause bloating, nausea, gas
abdominal pain bloating and flatulence. It also soothes
and cramps
the digestive system and reduces symptoms of
indigestion such as nausea, pain and heartburn.
• Specific digestive disorders can cause acute
indigestion such as peptic ulcers Digestive enzymes containing enzymes such as
amylase and lipase are available in supplement form
• Gastrointestinal infection can produce and assist your body to break down foods.
symptoms such as diarrhoea and/or vomiting,
stomach pains and flatulence. Probiotics are important for normal digestion. An
imbalance can cause diarrhoea, constipation, bloating,
What natural therapies can help? cramps and poor assimilation of nutrients.
Bitter herbs such as gentian and dandelion root
encourage the production of gastric acid. These are
best taken 15 minutes before meals. Choose a liquid
extract over a tablet. The actual ‘bitter’ taste is …..continued over
THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO TREAT OR DIAGNOSE. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE TAKING NUTRITIONAL OR HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS.
CONDITIONS
HEALTH
INDIGESTION continued
VERSION 1.0
Read more
Detox … you’ll be amazed how good you can feel!
February 2006 Good Health News
(detox_ghn06)
Did you know?
• Certain fruits such as paw paw, kiwifruit and pineapple contain enzymes that assist digestion. Eat these
about half an hour before meals. Never eat fruit after meals because the fruit sits on top, ferments and
causes flatulence, bloating and cramping
• Adding bitter greens such as rocket and radicchio to a salad is perfect!
• Minimise water and other fluid intake during meals. These can dilute digestive secretions
• Increase fibre in the diet slowly to give the gastrointestinal tract time to adapt and therefore, minimise gas,
bloating or cramping. Drink more fluids when you increase the amount of fibre you eat
• Eat your food slowly, chewing it thoroughly. Enzymes in the saliva start digestion, taking some load of the
stomach
• Avoid overeating and opt for 5-6 small regular meals
• Avoid bringing up undesirable issues while eating. Digestive secretions decrease when you are stressed.
Inadequate digestive secretions can lead to indigestion
• Exercise stimulates digestion
• Essential oils such as fennel and spearmint can be rubbed over the abdomen to ease digestive wind
• Always seek medical advice if you suspect any allergies or digestive disorders
• Before embarking on any changes to your diet, always seek the advice from your healthcare practitioner. If
you remove ingredients or food groups from your diet, this may result in a nutritionally unbalanced diet,
which can lead to further health problems.
THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO TREAT OR DIAGNOSE. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE TAKING NUTRITIONAL OR HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS.