Today, The Morning Thing shared some information that can help you in life.
Do you have a troubled tummy?
Here are 5 tips for better natural digestion from Natasha Treney, the founder of America’s probiotic industry and developmental scientist with Natren, Inc.
There’s no denying that we Americans love to eat. Unfortunately, our love affair with food is all-too-often accompanied by an unwelcome outcome at the end of the meal: a troubled tummy and grumbling gut. Three of our most common digestive complaints are:
Upset Stomach:
Upset stomachs and stomach aches are very common in adults and can occur occasionally or as often as every day. They can include various symptoms including a feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable heaviness after a meal, nausea, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen.
Infrequent Bowel Movements:
Infrequent bowel movement — fewer than three times weekly — affects about 42 million Americans and is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems. In some studies elderly participants performed bowel movements as infrequently as twice monthly. The problem typically arises from insufficient intake of fluid and fiber, laxative overuse, a stomach or intestinal blockage, nerve or muscle damage, or weak intestinal muscles.
Loose or Watery Stools:
This is a defense mechanism where the body tries to rid itself of something it perceives as harmful. However, during this process the body also flushes out beneficial bacteria needed to fight harmful bacteria in the digestive tract, which can trigger adverse health consequences.
For those who have consulted their health care professional(s) but still haven’t been able to satisfactorily resolve their digestive issues with prescription medicines and are concerned with the harmful side effects or overuse of over-the-counter remedies, developmental scientist Natasha Trenev of Natren, Inc. suggests it might be time to try a more holistic approach to digestive health using her 5 Tips for Better Natural Digestion:
1. Turn off your Smartphone at mealtimes
Besides getting older, stress is the number one factor that promotes poor digestion. Stress reduces the number of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract – and we need these beneficial bacteria to break down our food so it can be properly absorbed through the intestinal walls. A relaxed dining environment accompanied by music and laughter, with no frantic phone calls or texts, will help your digestive organs operate most efficiently.
2. Chew 10 times and savor every bite before swallowing
The digestive process begins in the mouth, so chew slowly and taste what you’re eating.
3. Avoid simple carbs; eat complex carbs in moderation
Raw or minimally processed fruits, whole grains, and veggies provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber and are accompanied by their own enzymes which aid digestion.
4. Consume plenty of water and fiber
This helps keep food moving through your 27-foot-long gastrointestinal tract so it can be properly processed, absorbed, and efficiently eliminated.
5. Establish and maintain the proper quantities and types of intestinal flora (probiotics)
Without the right combination of probiotic bacterial strains in our gut, proper digestion could not take place. These beneficial bacterial strains complete the digestive process and they make sure the size of the digested food is broken down to the right molecular size to pass the intestinal wall so it doesn’t aggravate the immune system. These probiotics also create important enzymes and vitamins required for digestion. Our probiotic levels can become reduced through the use of antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, poor diet, and by stress.
Trenev says one simple way to ensure your digestive tract is ready for meals is to take a Healthy Tummy probiotic wafer and a glass of warm water before eating. Doing this not only assists to establish optimal digestion, but it also helps to relax any cravings for sweets.
We will soon be talking about winter.
Is your car ready for the upcoming change in seasons?
Consider this: Millions of Americans will hit the road to visit family this holiday season even though their cars aren’t cold-weather-ready. (Last year, AAA anticipated rescuing 1.1 million drivers from December 23rd to January 4th alone.) So what can you do to avoid getting stranded on a dark, lonely highway, while ensuring you’re not getting overcharged for preventative work?
The car repair experts at RepairPal [www.repairpal.com] — a nationwide network of certified, pre-screened repair shops on a mission to help you find a fair price for quality work — have five critical tips:
1. DO AN ENGINE CHECK-UP
Cold weather makes engine problems worse, so issues that might seem minor now — like stalling, hard starting, or rough idling—could become costly headaches. Have all engine issues diagnosed and repaired before heading out in the cold (and be sure to find a shop with certified technicians to avoid shoddy work or overcharging).
2. BEWARE OF WEAK BATTERIES
Without a professional inspection, it’s impossible to know your battery’s strength, but you can do preventative work by cleaning the surfaces of the battery and scraping away any corrosion from the cable connections and posts. (Wear gloves and protective eyewear to avoid contact with battery acid and corrosive deposits.)
3. DO AWAY WITH DULL WIPERS
Bad wipers aren’t just annoying — they’re dangerous. Replace old blades and make sure your washer fluid reservoir is filled at all times. If your climate is particularly harsh, rubber-clad (winter) blades can fight against ice build-up.
4. GET RID OF ‘TIRED’ TIRES
Tire pressure tends to drop in cold weather, so check it several times throughout the winter months. And if the treads on your tires are worn down, have them replaced. Make sure your spare tire and jack are in good condition, too.
5. BE PREPARED
Better safe than sorry, right? Create an emergency car kit with the following items: a blanket, boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow), and bottled water.
For help with these steps that could save you time, money, and maybe even your life-the free resource RepairPal [www.repairpal.com] independently certifies auto repair shops nationwide. They provide data on the average cost of each repair, and offer trusted customer reviews — eliminating the need to shop around.
Rise and Shine 
