It is common as we age to find out that we just can't eat like we could when we were younger. We eat whatever we want for years. Suddenly, one day we eat a big meal and notice we have heartburn. Or we go out for dinner and come home feeling bloated.
We think: when I was in my twenties, this never happened. I guess I'm just getting old.
We then begin to guess at what caused these digestive issues. Are we allergic to wheat or dairy? Are we not eating enough salad? Do we need more fruits and veggies in our diet? Do we have gallstones? IBS? Celiac? Colitis? Are we eating too much fat? Trying to ease our digestive discomfort, we gradually eliminate "problem" foods until we end up feeling confused about what to eat and limited in our choices. You may also notice that your complexion is not the best, you break out easily, you get migraines, feel tired all the time, and are anxious or depressed. According to the Ayurvedic system of healing, all these symptoms are likely to be related.
Inside the small intestine of our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or digestive pathway, there are little hair-like projections. These projections line the inside of the small intestine and are called villi. Here is what they look like:
We then begin to guess at what caused these digestive issues. Are we allergic to wheat or dairy? Are we not eating enough salad? Do we need more fruits and veggies in our diet? Do we have gallstones? IBS? Celiac? Colitis? Are we eating too much fat? Trying to ease our digestive discomfort, we gradually eliminate "problem" foods until we end up feeling confused about what to eat and limited in our choices. You may also notice that your complexion is not the best, you break out easily, you get migraines, feel tired all the time, and are anxious or depressed. According to the Ayurvedic system of healing, all these symptoms are likely to be related.
Inside the small intestine of our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or digestive pathway, there are little hair-like projections. These projections line the inside of the small intestine and are called villi. Here is what they look like:
Pretty wild, huh?
These little guys allow us to absorb nutrients from our food and sweep digestive contents through the GI tract. Spaces between the villi are called crypts and they produce most of our neurotransmitters like serotonin. Serotonin is the main compound at play in anxiety and depression.
For each person, there is an optimal diet that will balance their unique elemental constitution. For example, Kapha individuals (who are prone to diabetes) should eat a diet that is low in sugars, composed of more veggies than fruits, rich in pungent foods like onion and garlic, and consume a relatively low amount of wheat and dairy. If Kapha types consume diets high in dairy, wheat and fruits, they will likely develop problems such as sinus and lung congestion, depression, fatigue, metabolic problems, and digestive disorders.
These little guys allow us to absorb nutrients from our food and sweep digestive contents through the GI tract. Spaces between the villi are called crypts and they produce most of our neurotransmitters like serotonin. Serotonin is the main compound at play in anxiety and depression.
For each person, there is an optimal diet that will balance their unique elemental constitution. For example, Kapha individuals (who are prone to diabetes) should eat a diet that is low in sugars, composed of more veggies than fruits, rich in pungent foods like onion and garlic, and consume a relatively low amount of wheat and dairy. If Kapha types consume diets high in dairy, wheat and fruits, they will likely develop problems such as sinus and lung congestion, depression, fatigue, metabolic problems, and digestive disorders.
What happens with digestive disorders is basically this: years of eating a diet that is not balancing for us clogs up our systems. Here in the US, we eat too many processed foods, fast foods, and packaged meals. These foods contain additives that our bodies literally do not recognize as food. Whether it is by eating an unbalancing diet for our constitution or a processed-food diet, years of eating this way causes inflammation in the digestive system. Inflammation causes the body to make mucous for protection, which leads to the clogging of those villi I mentioned earlier. When the villi cannot move and are clumped up with mucous, they can't absorb the nutrients from your food effectively. When the crypts are clogged with mucous, they can't manufacture and release serotonin effectively. We end up feeling tired, depressed, anxious, and having to give up eating foods that we used to be able to eat.
Some people try to manage digestive problems by taking probiotics, but these supplements are not meant to be taken on a long-term basis. If you stop taking probiotics and then you get bloated and gassy after eating, that is a sign that your intestinal villi are likely not working properly. This sign does not mean that you should just take probiotics forever; it means that there is an underlying digestive problem that needs to be addressed. Ayurvedic treatment for these types of digestive conditions is always tailored to the individual. For example, when I work with someone who has given up wheat and dairy due to gas and bloating, I first need to determine what underlying imbalance has caused the condition. In some people, the underlying imbalance is Pitta, which means that the problem began with eating a diet and/or lifestyle that increased their inflammatory tendencies. With others, the underlying imbalance is Vata, which means that the problem began with a diet and/or lifestyle that aggravated the nervous system. Many people do not know that there are nerve cells in the digestive tract. This fact is the link that explains why we can be so upset about something emotionally that our stomach hurts. After determining the cause of the digestive problems, I work with the individual to decide what treatment plan suits their lifestyle and will allow them to achieve their desired outcomes. Some people like to do a whole-life approach, so we discuss diet, exercise, meditation, herbal supplements, and energetic healing. Others prefer to begin with supplements and later discuss dietary changes. Whatever the path, the plan must address any congestion present in the body, heal inflammation, optimize digestive capacity, and restore normal bowel function.
As always, if anyone has specific questions about digestive imbalance, I am happy to answer! Please email me at: [email protected].
Have a wonderful weekend!
Some people try to manage digestive problems by taking probiotics, but these supplements are not meant to be taken on a long-term basis. If you stop taking probiotics and then you get bloated and gassy after eating, that is a sign that your intestinal villi are likely not working properly. This sign does not mean that you should just take probiotics forever; it means that there is an underlying digestive problem that needs to be addressed. Ayurvedic treatment for these types of digestive conditions is always tailored to the individual. For example, when I work with someone who has given up wheat and dairy due to gas and bloating, I first need to determine what underlying imbalance has caused the condition. In some people, the underlying imbalance is Pitta, which means that the problem began with eating a diet and/or lifestyle that increased their inflammatory tendencies. With others, the underlying imbalance is Vata, which means that the problem began with a diet and/or lifestyle that aggravated the nervous system. Many people do not know that there are nerve cells in the digestive tract. This fact is the link that explains why we can be so upset about something emotionally that our stomach hurts. After determining the cause of the digestive problems, I work with the individual to decide what treatment plan suits their lifestyle and will allow them to achieve their desired outcomes. Some people like to do a whole-life approach, so we discuss diet, exercise, meditation, herbal supplements, and energetic healing. Others prefer to begin with supplements and later discuss dietary changes. Whatever the path, the plan must address any congestion present in the body, heal inflammation, optimize digestive capacity, and restore normal bowel function.
As always, if anyone has specific questions about digestive imbalance, I am happy to answer! Please email me at: [email protected].
Have a wonderful weekend!