Stress plays a huge part in our every day lives.  Everyone experiences some degree of daily stress, whether it’s driving, stuck in traffic, crossing a busy road, exposure to the cold, or even experiencing sheer happiness; all of which engage the body’s stress mechanisms.

But what effect is this having on your body?

Stress is a natural response and the most important factor is how well you are able to deal with it!!   For instance, one person’s stress may be another’s invigorating life experience.  This is an important factor, when it comes to stress management.  As Hans Selye highlights: ‘It’s not the stressor that determines the response, it is the individuals internal reaction’. 

Selye defines stress as ‘the nonspecific response of the body to any demand’.  The extent of ‘distress’ in the body is usually a direct result of prolonged stress, which has not been dealt with in a positive manner.

As outlined by Walter. B. Cannon, the stress response within the host kicks off a number of physiological changes.  The initial alarm phase, or fight or flight phase, is activated by the sympathetic nervous system, which in turn effects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing the adrenals to secrete stress hormones.

This stress response increases heart rate, resulting in blood flow to support the heart, lungs and brain, while blood flow to the skin, and internal organs is decreased.  In addition, production of digestive secretions is severely hindered, as digestion is not an evolutionary critical response during a stressful flight or flight episode.

This, my friend, is where most of our current day digestive issues may occur.  More often than not, clients will relate to having a busy and demanding lifestyle, with long intervals between meals, eating on the go, skipping breakfast, eating late at night, and / or, poor quality foods.

If you can relate to these habits, then you are probably experiencing some symptoms of digestive upset, including: acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, hemorrhoids, etc. These primary symptoms may also be followed by fatigue, food intolerances, acne, depression, impaired immune, headaches, ulcers, inflammatory conditions, not to mention diseases strongly linked to stress, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more…

When you are eating under time constraints, in stressful situations while your mind is on another task, or leaving long intervals between eating you will more than likely experience some form of digestive upset.

Here’s why…

The digestive system is triggered firstly by sight, smell & touch.  These senses promote the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL), or stomach acid, as well as saliva.  Physical digestion of food starts in the mouth with the chewing motion & mastication of your food. 

#Problem No: 1

If you’re eating under stress, you will produce lower amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCL) and tend to under chew your food creating the first problem.

#Problem No: 2

This partly chewed food & lower HCL results in a slower digestion, where foods will tend to sit and ferment in the stomach leading to symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, symptoms of IBS, cramping, pain, nausea, excess flatulence, fatigue, and so on.  Over time, these upper digestive tract problems can lead to poor digestion, low absorption of nutrients, an environment that promotes mycotoxins & dysbiosis of the gut, food intolerances, auto immune conditions, acne, fatigue, depression, impaired immune, inflammation, and so much more.

First Steps in Improving Digestive Health:

1. Eat mindfully, slowly & chew your food well. This helps to kick-start your body’s digestive responses, and in turn promotes a healthy digestion, as well as increased absorption of nutrients. While digestion start in the mouth by chewing your food well, smelling your meal, being visually pleased by it’s presentation, and even the taking time over preparation, will aid this process.

2. Do not drink large amounts of water or liquids just before, during or immediately after meals, as this will dilute digestive juices/enzymes. Drink 30mins before or after your meal or 125-250ml during.

3. Boost the benefits of drinking water by adding the juice of a half (or whole) fresh lemon to your water. If the lemon is organic, soak the lemon peel in the water over night, or in your water canister throughout the day.  Drinking lemon water 30mins prior to eating your meal will promote a healthier digestion.

4. Reflux is often associated to high stomach acid, with many people taking antacids to help relieve the symptoms.  However the same symptoms experienced with reflux are ironically the same symptoms experienced with low stomach acid.

It’s never too late to start improving your digestive health. 

Take your first step here and complete this quick and easy at home stomach acid test. Then note the results in your Nutritional Therapy Questionnaire below and get specific tailored feedback to your email.