Powerful natural ways to support and strengthen your digestive system

They say that your second brain resides in your gut, where approximately 60-70% of your immune system is derived from. It is even estimated that about 90% of the brain chemical, serotonin, also known as "the feel good neurotransmitter", is actually made in the digestive tract. So it's needless to say that keeping your gut healthy is very important. There are many ways to strengthen your gut. This article will explore three powerful things that can make a huge difference in the absorption and assimilation of food.

1. Bone broth soup

Bone broth soup is so nourishing for the body! It assists in healing leaky gut and helps strengthen the digestive system. It is rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, and due to the natural glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate present, it is wonderful for joint pain and inflammation. It is also high in amino acids proline and glycine which are important for healthy connective tissue and optimal functioning of the central nervous system. The longer the soup is cooked (24-72 hours in a crock pot), the more healing properties it has, and it is really simple to prepare. Lemon or vinegar is added to help leach out the nutrients. Adding chicken feet provides extra collagen. See my recipe for more details: /.

2. Ginger-lemon digestive aid

Ginger has been known for centuries to be great for the digestive system. It assists with nausea, inflammation, menstrual cramps and due to its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, it is also immune boosting. Ginger also helps ignite and release hydrochloric acid which is necessary for optimal digestion. Lemon is a great astringent and helps detox. About 15 minutes before you eat a meal try to have a couple of pieces of this digestive aid:

Ingredients:
1 cup of fresh lemon juice
2-3 inch slices of freshly cut ginger
3/4 tsp of sea salt
Keep the ginger soaked in the lemon juice with salt at least one day before consuming.

3. Intestine Exercise

As the saying goes: "a happy gut makes a happy brain." Sending the message to our gut that we want to keep it strong and work optimally can be relayed with this simple exercise that is often done in Dahn yoga, a form or yoga that originated in Korea.

While sitting in a chair or standing with slightly bent knees with toes pointing forward, place your hands on your lower abdomen, just below the navel.
Push your abdomen in towards your spine and back out, feeling some pressure. Breath comfortably and naturally.
Repeat this in and out motion at least 100 times.
Afterwards, rub your abdomen in a circular, clockwise direction.

In conclusion, I would love to hear about your experience with any or all of the above suggestions! If you are interested in learning more about how to strengthen your digestive system, please visit my website to read about the services that are offered:  www.holisticwellnessny.com. Till then, wishing you all a happy gut :)