Digestion and weight loss

An underactive digestive system can promote weight gain and inhibits fat loss. Many overweight people have sluggish digestion. Not enough of the food they eat is broken down, absorbed and assimilated. The cells require nutrients, driving the person to eat more. It is a paradox of our times that so many of us in the west are overfed and undernourished.

When the body is full of toxins, it works less efficiently, slowing down the elimination process. Excess weight is the body holding on to waste, the by-product of catabolism (daily break-down of cells), and the waste stored in the colon, which can hold up to 65 pounds of waste! The immune system and other vital functions begin to slow down.

Some indicators of faulty digestion include: Headaches, bowel problems, depression, obesity, low energy, bad breath, among others.

But the good news is that anything that poor digestion causes, improved digestion can correct. As digestion improves, hunger diminishes and weight becomes easier to control.

Simplifying digestion can have an enormous impact on weight. The digestion of food demands more energy than other bodily functions. Eating a large meal diverts blood and energy to the digestive system resulting in a heavy, sluggish feeling.

Effective tools to improve digestion include:

• Food combining: do not eat starches and protein-rich food in the same meal, and eat fruit on its own
• Avoid cold beverages at mealtime. Sip on room temperature water during meals.
• Chew food carefully and eat more slowly. The mechanical process of chewing is a crucial factor in promoting good digestion. By taking the time to properly chew food forces you to eat more slowly and allows for the time it take the brain to receive the signal that you are satisfied.
• Eat to 80% full.
• Plant enzymes
• Probiotics
• Eat more fiber, balance of soluble and insoluble
• Eat whole foods, and live foods rich in enzymes (raw vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds)
• Avoid processed, refined and packaged foods
• Eat in a relaxed environment

Timing of meals also affects one’s weight. When you are active, a meal will provide the required energy for immediate physical and mental activity. But if you are inactive, that same meal can cause the body to divert energy from the meal to storage as fat. For this reason it is best to have the largest meal in the middle of the day, when one is most active. Evening meals should be light and it is best not to eat after 9 o’clock at night.

Obesity and overweight have many possible causes, of which poor digestion is only one. Improving digestion efficiency will improve health but may not always result in losing unwanted weight. Other factors that may account for weight gain or inability to lose excess fat are psychological problems, hidden food allergies, hypothyroidism, hormone imbalances or specific nutrient deficiencies. If you suspect faulty digestion is a culprit, I recommend you continue to educate yourself about how the digestive system works and/or seek the help of a qualified nutritionist.