Gut Feelings and the Importance of Bowel Transit Time
Urban Herbs
Bowel transit time is the amount of hours it takes for a meal to travel from the mouth, through the digestive tract, and for its waste by-products to be eliminated through a bowel movement. Why is this important? Well, healthy digestion is critical to our well-being!
Over 100 million Americans have digestive problems that affect the entire body and can lead to allergies, arthritis, acne, chronic fatigue, and mood disorders. Your gut makes the very important decision of what stays and what goes- absorbing good nutrients and excreting toxins and allergens. Additionally, a thin layer in your gut protects your entire immune system! When it gets damaged, you get sick and create an overactive immune system in your body, creating inflammation (AKA pain and discomfort). Other signs of poor gut health include bloating, gas, fatigue, constipation, diverticulitis, and weight gain.
To test your bowel transit time, we suggest eating beets or corn and tracking how long it takes to go from your ceramic plate to your porcelain bowl. If it takes longer than 14 hours you may want to consider taking actions to improve the health of your digestion.
Chinese medicine works very well to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach so that your body can function at an optimal level. An herbal cleansing program is an option for ridding the colon of toxins and rebuilding the gut flora, or good bacteria. You may also want to increase your daily fiber, begin an exercise regimen, and consider diet modifications.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of acupuncture and herbs, listen to your gut and don’t wait! Give us a call today so you can have a better tomorrow!