Digestive Health is important at any age but I have found it to be true that the older we get the harder it is to digest foods, so I’ve come to the conclusion that we may need to add enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics to our diets.
In studying the intestines we learn that we have bacteria that lives in the gut. The ones I want to discuss here are the ones that are the friendly bacteria. The friendly bacteria keep away the overgrowth of yeast and keep the bad bacteria restrained.
Having a healthy digestive system is having the good bacteria working to keep your immune system strong.
Keep your body happy by keeping your dietary choices smart, as I mentioned in Part I, a recommended diet of free range chicken, turkey, wild fish and lots of vegetables, fruits with some grains and legumes is another way to eat your way to healthy aging.
Something I’ve done in the past 3 years is that I add to my diet ACAI and Mangosteen, these two super fruits are rich in so many nutrients. In this day and time our soil is depleted so we do need to supplement our diets in my opinion.
The function of our digestive system is simply this; to break down the food we eat and provide nutrients that can be absorbed.
Our goal is healthy aging and one way this is possible is through a healthy immune system. A healthy digestive system ensures that the body has the ability to absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.
What is Dysbiosis?
It is when yeast becomes overgrown in our intestinal tract as well as bad bacteria.
When this happens our doctors may tell us that we have a yeast infection, or a syndrome called irritable bowel and even arthritis.
Many people who use antibiotics on a regular basis can conclude that killing an infection also kills good bacteria in your digestive tract, that is why you will be encouraged to eat yogurt while on an antibiotic to keep the good bacteria alive.
What causes Dysbiosis?
Many situations may cause Dysbiosis. Our daily dietary habits, stress, and prescription drugs.
Obesity and Dysbiosis
Have you ever heard that malnutrition can be linked to obesity? Malnutrition can be defined as having an inadequate or unbalanced diet, problems with digestion or absorption, and some medical conditions.
“Undernutrition occurs when one or more vital nutrients are not present in the quantity that is needed for the body to develop and function normally. This may be due to insufficient intake, increased loss, increased demand, or a condition or disease that decreases the body’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients from available food. While the need for adequate nutrition is a constant, the demands of the body will vary, both on a daily and yearly basis.”
When this happens you aren’t satisfied with the meals you are eating because your body is being depleted of the essential
nutrients for healing and growing. Therefore you keep eating thinking that this will help the body to be satisfied.
The importance for a diet rich in nutrients is vital to a healthy body. In contrast to this a body that is malnourished will
take longer to heal if you get sick or in and of itself (malnutrition) may cause disease.