Potty Talk: How Gut Health Could Be the Key to Easing Your Joint Pain
This topic isn’t exactly what you'd be chatting about with your work buddies at the water cooler!
But, bathroom habits are certainly worth learning about and might even make a difference in the quality of your life!
An unhealthy gut, or digestive system, can increase systemic inflammation by creating dysfunction in your immune system and leading it to attack itself.
Knowing how to care for your gut can help you soothe the inflammation and pain in your body as a whole, and that includes your joints!
How common are gut problems?
In a national survey of 71,000 Americans, it was found that nearly two-thirds of the population was burdened with digestive problems.
These were the most common symptoms:
Heartburn or reflux
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Diarrhea
Some straightforward tips for a healthier digestive system
Eat more fiber: Enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Getting enough fiber adds the right kind of bulk in your intestines and promotes bowel movements. An optimal amount is about 20 to 35 grams a day.
Drink more water: Staying hydrated and having enough fiber results in the intestines being stimulated to contract, which helps to move things along.
Avoid foods that don’t serve you: This includes anything with added sugars, artificial sweeteners, processed or refined foods, trans fats and alcohol.
Exercise: Getting at least a good 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week can also play a role in stimulating the bowels to go regularly.
Add probiotics: Eat probiotic foods or take a probiotic supplement everyday. This helps to increase the good bacteria, which helps your digestive tract work more efficiently.
Lower stress: As much as you can, be mindful of your day-to-day stress, because it can affect your gut. Try to find ways to reduce stress, like meditation, a massage, a walk, hang out with friends, yoga, laugh more, or listen to soothing music.
One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your gut health is to ensure that you’re able to have regular and healthy bowel movements. How many of the above suggestions do you currently practice? Take a moment to consider which you’d like to add!