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In yesterday's post, Charles Poliquin gave his five tips to help improve your digestion. While it is a solid list, I have created one of my own that is much more, well, self-made. Without further ado, here they are:
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1) Sleep
This may seem hypocritical coming from a guy who usually sleeps less than six hours a night, but in fact I am talking about quality, not quantity. If I don't sleep soundly I am much more apt to alter how I should eat, which in turn throws off my digestion and, subsequently, how the rest of my body functions. For some tips on improving the quality of your sleep, check out my blog post "Get Your Sleep Right".
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2) Eat according to your metabolic type
In its most basic sense, metabolic typing looks at how you as an individual metabolize the three macronutrients--carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Then, based on, among other things, a questionnaire in which you describe how you feel after eating certain foods, you are given an ideal macronutrient ratio that you should try to eat every day. I am a Protein Type, which means I function very well when I eat a lot of fat and protein. I can handle some carbs, but give me a few slices of pizza and my body is a wreck. Look for my post next week in which I detail more about taking the metabolic typing quiz, but in the mean time, check out the book The Metabolic Typing Diet if you would like to know the ins and outs of this approach.
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3) Find out what's going on on the inside
Do you have unknown food sensitivities? Do you have a parasite? Do you have a fungal infection? Are your hormones in balance? All of these are contributing factors to how well you can digest as well as how well you feel and function. For this, I would look into a practitioner who runs the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition tests. Sean Croxton of Underground Wellness is my main source for this type of information and is a FDN practitioner himself. I would contact him for more info regarding FDN as well as where to find a practitioner.
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4) Limit stress and anxiety
Commonly, when people get stressed out about something, their digestive system goes completely whack. Gas, diarrhea, and nausea are not uncommon side effects of nerves and anxiety over an upcoming event. You could put cotton mouth in this same category. Try your best to stay relaxed and calm throughout the process and your digestive track will thank you.
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5) Don't be afraid to poop
Kind of funny, kind of awkward, but it's true! Poop is meant to be excreted and yet social pressures cause us to hold it all in. That is ridiculous. For a great video on pooping, check out Sean Croxton's work:
Charlie Cates, MATs, CSCS
Self Made®, Owner and Founder
Charlie Cates is a Muscle Activation Techniques® specialist and a strength and conditioning specialist. He is the owner and founder of Self Made® (http://selfmadefitness.com/) in Chicago, IL. He has worked with competitive athletes and everyday people of all ages and ability levels, from 9-year-old kids to NFL MVP’s to 85-year-old retirees. He can be reached via e-mail at charlie@selfmadefitness.com.
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