Acid reflux is a good example. I think it’s definitely the norm and not the exception that most people at least occasionally have heartburn and a good number of those have it every day.
Allergies are another. The vast majority of people that approach me at conferences or email me talk about some kind of allergy, whether food or environmental.
Another biggie is a condition that affects about out one out of 10 people over the age of 40 and at least 50 percent of the population age 60 and over.
It’s diverticulosis.
In case you somehow have not heard of it, diverticulosis is characterized by the presence of little pea-sized pouches (called diverticula) protruding out of your colon.
These little protrusions usually don’t cause symptoms—that’s why many people with diverticulosis don’t even know they have it, and typically find out through a routine colonoscopy.
Things change dramatically, however, if one or more of your diverticula become infected, also known as diverticulitis. Then you’re doubled over with extreme abdominal pain, along with having a fever, chills, and vomiting.
Let’s take a look at why diverticulosis has (sadly) become “normal” for at least half the population over 60, as well as talk about ways that you can help make sure that version of “normal” is NOT normal for you.
The creation of a new disease
Although diverticulosis is relatively common nowadays, that wasn’t always the case. As a matter of fact, prior to 1917, it didn’t exist.
So what happened to create this disease that you stand a one in two chance of someday suffering from?
Well, that’s a pretty easy question to answer.
The primary force behind this rise and explosion in diverticulosis (and its infected “cousin” diverticulitis) is made up of these three things that create a domino effect:
- Our shift away from real foods and into relying more and more on processed foods (which began around 1915)
- The poor digestion that resulted from eating this way and
- The eventual impact on the colon from the poor digestion
Our shift from food to “Edible manufactured food-like stuff”
Prior to about 1915 food used to mean meats, poultry, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and eggs.
Now although those things still do exist (but are becoming increasingly adulterated), sadly they make up a smaller and smaller portion of what’s actually on our plates.
Instead now we are relying more and more on processed foods (aka “food-like stuff”) which are not only devoid of most or all of the naturally occurring nutrients in the real food ingredients they started out with, but they’re also very difficult for your body to digest.
Note that similar statements can be made about fast food, and heaven knows that the lines aren’t getting any shorter at McDonald’s, KFC and Taco Bell so we’re getting our share of those too.
In addition, instead of simpler meals like our grandparents enjoyed, we now sit down to smorgasbords made up of every kind of food on the planet (especially at all-you-can-eat buffets) which leads to digestive fireworks down below.
So is it any wonder that so many people have digestive problems today?
Poor digestion—problems north and south
When your digestion is ruined, it can show itself in a number of ways.
When you have an overproduction of acid in your stomach that comes sliding up into your throat, it’s called acid reflux or GERD. (I call it “trouble up north.”)
When your foods aren’t broken down like they should be as they try to make their way through the intestinal tract, that can manifest itself as IBS, gas, bloating and constipation. (This I call “trouble down south.”)
And if poor digestion and constipation continue long enough, eventually that can encourage weakening in the colon wall, diverticula can begin to form and voila¢—diverticulosis (and possibly diverticulitis) has made YOU its new home.
Better digestion = better intestinal health
The good news here is that you can help turn your digestive health around, even if you’re already suffering from diverticulosis or diverticulitis.
When you take safe, natural measures to help your digestion to be accomplished more thoroughly and efficiently, you can see a dramatic difference in how you feel.
Here are the most significant steps you can take toward better digestive (and overall!) health:
This is far and away step number one and where you MUST start—it’s NOT optional.
If you want a snowball’s chance in you-know-where of having good digestion, it’s vital that you do away with the complex, hard-to-digest meals, processed “food-like stuff,” fast food and soda and instead eat delicious, nutritious real foods in combinations that are much easier for your system to break down.
When you do this, you will likely be astonished at how quickly your body may begin to respond.
Some people have even noticed a difference with the very first meal!
And if you don't know where to start, I'll help you with the Great Taste No Pain health system.
In the Great Taste No Pain plan instructions, I spell out the physiological reasons why eating a typical modern diet is so detrimental to your health, and why eating certain foods together can make ALL the difference in the world for you. It’s all based on basic chemistry and how your body responds with enzymes to different foods.
When your body can break down your foods more easily and efficiently, digestive problems can quickly subside.
Plus Great Taste No Pain really delivers on the “great taste” promise. You’ll get a collection of recipes full of ideas for preparing good-for-you foods that taste positively spectacular—as a matter of fact, chances are excellent that you’ll soon lose your taste for the processed junk and fast food as you grow to appreciate how yummy real foods taste.
Now, if you have gluten challenges on top of everything else, no worries. Great Taste No Gluten is for you.
You'll get the same food pairing information as in Great Taste No Pain, along with a collection of delicious gluten-free creations and gluten free substitution guides.
Having a long history of digestive problems means that you may have been expending way more enzymes trying to accomplish digestion than Nature ever intended you to…and your body may have trouble making enough for your needs at this point.
If you suspect that your body may be challenged with low enzyme production (this is especially true if Tums have become your 5thfood group or you’ve been popping purple pills for a long time), or if you just want to help conserve your body’s enzyme-producing capability, then enzyme supplementation can be a big help.
And a great quality digestive enzyme supplement is Digestizol Max.
Digestizol Max is loaded with 14 natural, plant-derived enzymes (so it's even OK for vegetarians) that will give your body a boost in breaking down any kind of food you can eat.
Plus its herbal formula can help soothe an inflamed digestive tract.
3- Restore your intestinal flora balance
The average person who eats a typical modern diet is very likely walking around with seriously imbalanced gut flora.
You see, poor digestion creates an environment which favors harmful bacteria, which in turn also increases your chances of a diverticulitis attack if you’ve already got diverticulosis!
And if you add in the possibilities of stress, medication use, exposure to environmental toxins or past or present use of antibiotics (ALL of which harm your gut flora too), chances are great MOST people have or are close to having harmful bacteria overgrowth (aka dysbiosis).
Not only can this perpetuate digestive problems, but it can mean your immune system functioning is hampered.
That's why an effective probiotic supplement like Super Shield is so helpful for the vast majority of people.
Super Shield pays attention to both of your intestines--it contains certain bacteria that inhabit the small intestine (lactobacillus) and others that live in your colon (Bifidobacteria). So you're covered from one end of that long intestinal tract to the other!
And less gas, bloating and constipation could soon be a reality for YOU…as well as helping to prevent diverticulitis attacks.
It’s also very effective in helping your intestinal flora rebuild from antibiotic use, which happens to be a common treatment for diverticulitis.
It can make a dramatic difference in how you feel when you take just a few simple steps to help to encourage better digestion!
A whole new world of feeling good, having more energy and saying goodbye to digestive problems can soon become your “normal.”
To your health,
Sherry Brescia
PS: Always be sure to let your doctor or healthcare provider know what supplements you are taking.
