Nutrition tip of the week- what's going on with my GUT

So being that I have my degree in nutritional sciences, I feel that this is the most important factor when we are considering our health and fitness. People so often don't realize the importance of a proper diet. Well I'm here to tell you that IT MATTERS!! Each week my goal is going to be to share a tip with all of you.. and hopefully as the weeks go on, I can begin to be more specific with questions people ask!

GUT HEALTH is today's topic --> FUN stuff right ?!

I feel like one of the things that so often gets over looked when we think about nutrition is our guts! But, in reality, if we don't have our guts functioning right, we aren't going to be able to properly absorb and utilize the nutrients that we give it. For example, if we are lacking in the good bacteria of our tummy, we won't be able to process some of the foods that we eat. Similarly, if we are lacking in digestive enzymes (such as pancreatic amylase) we won't be able to properly break down macronutrients and absorb them from the small intestine ---- sorry, I am probably getting way way way too science-y! But a more simple way to put it- check out your bowel habits. If they aren't regular or you are constantly having stomach aches, then it might be a pretty good sign your gut needs some help!

Some of the things I like to recommend to people are digestive enzymes, Green Superfood supplement, a daily multivitamin, and a probiotic. Now, I wouldn't suggest the probiotic long term, but a probiotic is a great way to replenish the good bacteria in our gut and can be done in just a short course of utilizing them! Digestive enzymes may be a great way for those of us who constantly get upset stomach's or indigestion because maybe our bodies aren't producing enough. A daily multivitamin is going to ensure you are getting all of our essential micronutrients that we may not otherwise get if we aren't getting enough through our diet everyday. Green superfood is kind of the powerhouse.. it does it all!!! but warning- they taste disgusting !!

-- All of these you can get at a local health/supplement store - check out Science Nutrition in Sioux Falls and tell them I sent you if you want to get a discount on your products :) If you aren't around the area, there are a TON of other places to find these! Even the local grocery stores may have them!

Moral of the story: if you aren't taking care of your gut, then you can't expect any form of diet to work for your body. simple as that!