If you can complete the rest of this jingle, you are in my age bracket (or beyond;-)  Of course I’m referring to the Alka Seltzer commercial,  and relief of indigestion.  Just a guess, but there may be some of that going on these next few days, so I thought I’d give you a break from Thanksgiving overload (so to speak) and offer some helpful tips on how to prevent stomach upset or how to help calm it down.

Digestive troubles don’t begin or end on Turkey Day but they certainly aren’t given a pass then, either.  Enzymes help break down nutrients in food to promote absorption and assimilation.  As adults, the body progressively loses its ability to produce enzymes with major drops occurring roughly every ten years of life. At the beginning it may not be that noticeable, however, later on you will discover that you cannot tolerate or enjoy certain foods like you did before. This may also be accompanied by a feeling of reduced stamina. Yes, you’re running low of enzymes.

Digestive enzymes assist with the assimilation of nutrients into our system. Try a ‘multi’ enzyme  that contains amylase for the starch, lipase for the fat, and protease for the protein in food. A good enzyme may also contain lactase for dairy products and cellulase for fiber. Enzymes add potency to the natural enzymes in your saliva, stomach, pancreas, and liver that are secreted into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during digestion.

So how do you know if you’re lacking enzymes?  Here are some indicators:

Heartburn, gas, constipation, bloating, allergies, ulcers, lack of energy and reduced functioning of the immune system may occur when there are not enough enzymes.  In addition, conditions can become more severe and show signs through:
Candidiasis, Crohn’s disease, food allergies, low back pain, arthritis.

Optimal digestion starts in the mouth. Eat slowly, chewing your food 30 to 50 times per bite (I know it seems excessive), or enough to render it “mushy” before swallowing (am I stimulating your appetite?) To aid digestion, sit down, don’t multitask while eating, and turn off the TV—even if you are eating alone. Limit the amount of fluid you drink with meals to just a few ounces of water or other liquid; drinking too much liquid during a meal dilutes digestive enzymes. Try drinking beverages up to 30 minutes before meals and then wait two hours after a meal. Some people benefit from drinking bitter teas before meals, such as heavily steeped chamomile, which stimulates the secretion of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. Drink 15 minutes before meals.

Carminative herbs can also be helpful. A small cup of strong peppermint tea after meals, especially if you have a warm or hot metabolism, can be effective—unless you have heartburn, in which case an enteric-coated peppermint capsule is preferable (the volatile oils get past the lower esophagus without causing reflux). If you are treating a hiatal hernia or other reflux condition, strong peppermint, coffee, tomatoes, citrus, and chocolate should be avoided until the condition is resolved. If you tend to run on the cooler side, try ginger tea. (Source: Better Nutrition)

Natural remedies and quality digestive enzymes are the best panaceas in times of overindulgence. Best to avoid over-the-counter antacids which could do more harm than good. And don’t forget to keep moving, beyond the kitchen to the dining room;-)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!