By Christine Cheng, R.Ph. and Fred Cheng, R.Ph.
Roasted turkey, baked ham, stuffing, gingerbread, eggnog and all other sorts of treats…this is what many of us may think of in a Holiday feast! What many of us may forget until it’s too late is the feelings of being bloated or the guilt of having overindulged. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your gut for the holidays ahead.
There are numerous reasons why our bellies may feel less than happy after a holiday meal. Holiday foods tend to be “rich” in butter and other fatty ingredients that our bowels are not accustomed being exposed to. DIGESTIVE ENZYMES are very useful in the acute case. Taking a digestive enzyme with each potentially troublesome meal can help your body digest the food properly thus reducing that “lump in the gut” feeling and excessive gas that develops as the gut bacteria tries to break down larger chunks of food. Developing a healthy gastrointestinal (GI) tract, i.e., the long tube that runs from our throats to our bottoms, is the first step to minimizing any digestive issue. A supplement that has proven to be effective in our experience is INTESTAMINE® , which provides l-glutamine and n-acetyl-glucosamine as building blocks for a healthy GI lining. Intestamine® also contains fructo-oligosaccharides and Acacia fibre, which are fermented by the good bacteria in the gut to feed both these good gut bacteria as well as the cells lining the GI tract. The fermentation by-products of these good fibres can also promote normal gut motility, thus reducing constipation and/or diarrhea. Along the same line of thought, supplementing with PROBIOTICS, i.e., the good bacteria themselves, can promote a healthy gut as well as improve overall immunity.
An amazing supplement developed at the University of British Columbia is MS+™ or “Mandarin Skin Plus”. This dry-aged mandarin orange peel has been shown to improve the tight junctions holding intestinal cells together. This reduces the passage of unwanted food particles through the gut lining into the blood circulation, where it can cause problems elsewhere in the body. MS+™ can help with bloating, nausea, vomiting, general upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and even a phlegmy cough. A more resilient lining is one that can better stand up to foreign foods!
Overindulging can be a frustrating problem…not just physically, but mentally as well. Bulk-forming fibres such as those found in bran or psyllium husk can help promote a sense of fullness. NUTRACLEANSE® is a nutritional supplement that contains psyllium fibre, flax seeds and some GI soothing herbs. Adding a few tablespoons of this supplement or a similar fibre can promote a sense of fullness. Same goes for making sure you get adequate protein in your diet. Having a protein and/or fibre-rich snack before attending a holiday get-together can promote a sense of fullness, which can help reduce the temptation to eat too much. Having adequate protein (and fibre) are some of the basic principles behind why the IDEAL PROTEIN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Protocol is so effective at producing weight loss, but also maintaining weight loss.
The old saying, “The way to a (wo)man’s heart is through her/his stomach” seems very appropriate here. Although we may not be referring to amorous affections, keeping your gut healthy really can truly make for a happier holiday season!
(Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister-brother pharmacist team at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialize in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinarian use. Everything mentioned in their article is available InStore. They would love to hear from you or meet you at one of their seminars. Of course, before you begin any activity program or try any OTC supplementation, check with your physician and pharmacist.)
***All information posted and shared by Cloverdale Pharmasave is offered to provide information and choices regarding nutritional support for various health concerns, none of which is intended to be a treatment protocol for any disease state. The information does not replace seeking professional advice from your physician. Consult your health care practitioner before taking dietary supplements.
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