Healthy digestion and metabolism
Food is our body’s fuel, and supporting our digestive health and metabolic health is key to getting the most out of the food we eat.
That’s because digestion and metabolism are how our body transforms the nutrients from food and drink into energy so all our systems can operate smoothly.
Many people look to their digestive health and metabolic health when they’re trying to improve their overall wellness, especially when it comes to striving for a healthy weight. Let’s learn more about digestion, metabolism and what supplements might support them and our wellness goals.
Food is our body’s fuel, and supporting our digestive health and metabolic health is key to getting the most out of the food we eat.
That’s because digestion and metabolism are how our body transforms the nutrients from food and drink into energy so all our systems can operate smoothly.
Many people look to their digestive health and metabolic health when they’re trying to improve their overall wellness, especially when it comes to striving for a healthy weight. Let’s learn more about digestion, metabolism and what supplements might support them and our wellness goals.
How does the digestive system work?
Your digestive health is governed by an end-to-end digestive system. It begins when you put food in at one end and culminates with elimination of undigestible waste at the other end.
In between, your body is busy breaking down the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals from your food, then absorbing all usable nutrients and sending the unusable materials down the line.
The process includes digestive enzymes that help break down the food. These enzymes are found in your saliva and the digestive juices from your stomach and pancreas. Bile from the liver and gall bladder also plays a role in digestion.
What is metabolism?
When digestion is complete and the nutrients have been absorbed, that’s when your metabolism takes over. Metabolism is how your cells convert those nutrients to energy (measured in calories) and how your body uses it to perform all its functions, including breathing, running, controlling body temperature, thinking and even digesting food in the first place.
Even when you’re just sitting still, your body is using energy to pump blood through your veins and grow or repair cells. Another way to think about metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories.
That’s why so many people focus on their metabolism when trying to achieve a healthy body weight—whatever that looks like for them.
What foods support digestive health and metabolic health?
Avocado
Avocado is a superfood packed with fiber and essential nutrients, such as potassium, which helps promote healthy digestive function. It’s also a low-fructose food, so it’s less likely to cause gas.
Be wary of portion sizes when it comes to foods like nuts and avocados. Although they are rich in nutrients, they are also high in fat, so be sure to eat them in moderation.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, are excellent sources of fiber, as well as nutrients like folate, vitamin C, vitamin K and vitamin A. Research shows that leafy greens also contain a specific type of sugar that helps fuel growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Eating a lot of fiber and leafy greens allows you to develop an ideal gut microbiome — those trillions of organisms that live in the colon.
Whole Grains
White or brown rice? Whole-wheat or white bread? Doctors say that if you want your gut to work better, choose whole grains, since optimal colon function requires at least 25 grams of fiber daily.
Compared to refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pasta, whole grains provide lots of fiber, as well as added nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids. When gut bacteria ferment fiber, they produce short-chain fatty acids. These molecules encourage proper function in the cells lining the colon, where 70 percent of our immune cells live.
Despite the popularity of low-carb diets for weight loss, avoiding grains altogether may not be so great for the good gut bacteria that thrive on fiber.
What supplements support digestive health and metabolic health?
A wide array of supplements targeting digestive health and metabolic health are available in the marketplace. Here are a few of the more popular ones.
Digestive enzymes
Remember the digestive enzymes we mentioned earlier? Our bodies make 22 digestive enzymes that help break down the food and drink we consume. There are also other enzymes we need for digestion that are found in raw foods, vegetables, fruits and meats.
These enzymes are vital for early stages of the digestion process – called predigestion. They start breaking down food during the first hour or so after eating, when it’s still in the upper stomach, waiting for stomach acid to collect in the lower stomach to break it down further.
“Sometimes our bodies don’t have all the enzymes they need to digest various foods effectively or they aren’t there in the proper amounts,” Morris said. “The result could be occasional discomfort such as gas, bloating or other signs of indigestion.”
For example, people who are lactose intolerant are missing the digestive enzyme needed to break down lactose into smaller, digestible parts. As a result, the lactose sits in their gut and causes discomfort.
“What you can do is support your digestion by taking a digestive enzyme supplement to help your body absorb as many nutrients as possible,” Morris said.
Nutrilite Digestive Enzyme is one example. It’s formulated with a proprietary blend of enzymes that helps break down proteins, carbohydrates, fats and dairy products while supporting optimal nutrient absorption.
Aids the 22 digestive enzymes our body uses to break down carbohydrates, proteins, starches, fats, and dairy products.†
- Supports digestive enzymes that aid in optimal nutrient absorption.†
- Supports normal digestion of carbohydrates and starches, such as those found in beans, peas, and other vegetables.
Domonique D. Hargrove B.A.,M.S
Founder of “Slight Edge Performance Program” LLC
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