Copy of Emily’s Health Digest – August

In Dr. Libby Weaver's book, Rushing Women's Syndrome, she states that more than one in five women have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a functional disorder of the digestive system. However, if you experience recurring bad breath, are becoming more sensitive to foods, feel full very quickly, or your skin is congested and breaks out easily, among other symptoms - your system is not operating well. And guess what, stress is a MAJOR contributor to digestive dysfunction and things like IBS!!

To keep it short, I'll save what Dr. Weaver says stress does to the gut in next month's newsletter. But for now, I'll share a few practical things she suggests for a better functioning digestive system:

1. Chew your food ALL THE WAY, slow down when you eat. Most partially chew, then swallow. (I have been trying to count to 30-50, when I remember.)
2. Get your stomach acid going before meals. Take a little apple cider vinegar & lemon juice about 5-20 minutes BEFORE YOUR BREAKFAST meal, and maybe lunch and dinner if needed. (I take lemon water in the AM, but have had to recover my gut by taking this combo before every meal in the past).
3. Avoid water with meals. Water has a pH of 7 (which neutral pH). Stomach acid is about 1.9. When you add water to that acidic environment, it dilutes it (this totally makes sense and why has no one talked about this before??). She says to try to drink 30 minutes before/after your meal.