How to Enjoy Better Health in the New Year

As we move into the new year, you may be thinking about a New Year’s goal. Next year can be the start of your journey to a healthier you by focusing on ways to enhance your gastrointestinal wellness. Maintaining a healthier gut can enhance your overall health in several ways you may not have even thought about.

The devoted team at GI Alliance has compiled some common information regarding methods to improve your digestion.

What are some advantages of gastrointestinal wellness?

If your GI health is poor, it can influence every facet of your life. Our gut has a symbiotic correlation between good and bad bacteria. When that microbiome is disproportionate, it may be the reason for various GI troubles. Improper GI health could negatively impact your sleep, worsen your stress levels, and make you susceptible to additional health problems. On the other hand, when we are attentive to our GI health, the benefits are infinite. A few of the ways that maintaining good GI health can positively increase your overall health include:

• Heart health benefits
• Improving your immunity
• Weight management
• Strengthening your bones
• Improving your sleep quality
• Brain to health advantages
• Boosting your mood

As a whole, evidence suggests that the GI microbiome is crucial for overall well-being. Any lifestyle changes adopted to advance your gut health will not only incorporate ways to aid in digestion but can also help elevate your entire health.

How can I improve my GI health?

There are numerous actions that you might take to improve your gastrointestinal health. A number of such actions are based on the kinds of sustenance we feed ourselves, which directly correlates to how successfully we process foods and the general health of our gut. Some of the modifications we might make regarding our dietary selections include the following:

• Large amounts of beans, vegetables, fruits, and legumes (broccoli, bananas, apples, raspberries, artichokes)
• Prebiotic items (beans, peas, bananas, oats, berries)
• Foods rich in polyphenols (green tea, blueberries, almonds, dark chocolate)
• A plant-based diet
• Whole grains
• A varied assortment of foods

You can also enhance your gut health by consuming foods rich in probiotics (like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, or yogurt).

How can I assist my digestion?

If you are making the changes indicated above to your regime to improve your gut wellness, these modifications ought to, in turn, also help during digestion. You may also make some lifestyle changes to assist with your digestion. A few additional actions involve:

• Get enough sleep
• Drink enough to stay hydrated
• Reduce stress
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Refrain from tobacco use
• Maintain standard exercise

If you have changed your dietary habits and lifestyle and have gastrointestinal concerns lasting in excess of two weeks, it is time to connect with a digestive doctor at GI Alliance for further evaluation. Persistent constipation, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or additional GI issues are indications that you should contact one of our gastroenterology professionals to schedule a consultation.

Connect with a skilled digestive specialist

At GI Alliance, we have a team of knowledgeable gastrointestinal specialists that aims to deliver complete care not only for conditions as they occur, but also to help you achieve better GI health for optimal wellness. If you are facing digestive issues and need assistance with elevating your digestive health, schedule an appointment at a GI Alliance location near you to begin your path toward better health this next year.