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Digest This!

Thanksgiving, followed by the abundance of food throughout the Christmas and holiday season, presents an additional challenge for one system in particular – the digestion system.

Even as we try to focus on maintaining healthy eating habits and provide Healthy Holiday Cooking Tips, it is more than likely that during the holiday season our dietary patterns will change to some extent. There may be more meat-heavy meals than usual, rich sauces and gravies, higher fat treats, extra servings of dessert, and – despite an increase in total calories – less fiber and nutrient-dense foods.

This all takes a toll on our digestive system, which is responsible for breaking down the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in food, absorbing their nutrients, eliminating the waste, and maintaining a healthy "gut" environment. Fortunately, God has provided us with natural substances that can help with all of these functions.

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For daily maintenance of a basically healthy digestion system, a combination of a select few of these substances that may be just what is needed. The Digestion and Absorption Complex in New & Improved Basic Nutrient Support contains fennel seed , peppermint leaf , cinnamon bark , black pepper fruit , glucomannan and arabinogalactan , which provide beneficial fibers, aid in digestion, promote the growth of healthy bacteria and enhance the absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract.

But if you tend to suffer from digestive problems – which are among the most common illnesses reported to doctors – you may want to try something that specifically addresses digestive health. Digestion Support provides the enzymes, herbs, fibers and probiotics to keep your GI tract on track.

Digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lipase, lactase and cellulase , papain and bromelain enable the body to digest the four major food groups by breaking down fats, carbohydrates and protein. (Keep that in mind as you enjoy a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving!)

To help with the speed the transit time of food passing through the GI tract (and also delay glucose absorption), Digestion Support contains soluble and insoluble fibers, including glucomannan and a fiber complex made up of fruit and oat fibers.

Maintaining a balanced, normal environment in the gut is also extremely important for digestive – and overall – health. Probiotics, or good bacteria, are the first line of defense against unwelcome foreign invaders of the body. They help balance the intestinal microflora by stopping or slowing the growth of harmful bacteria, promoting good digestion, boosting immune function and increasing resistance to infection.

Digestion Support supplies Bifodobacteria bifidum and lactobacillus acidophilus, two of the main strains of these good bacteria, as well as fructooligosaccharides and arabinogalactan to support the growth of beneficial bacteria.

And, as a final ingredient, Digestion Support contains ginger, long used as a tonic for the digestive tract and as an aid for gastrointestinal distress, such as that experienced after overeating.

Dr. Reginald B. Cherry (drcherry.org) is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, and the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Cherry has authored numerous articles on Preventive Medicine, emphasizing nutrition and exercise. He also speaks extensively on these topics nationwide and conducts numerous seminars for various groups and organizations. Currently, his weekly television program reaches 80 million homes. www.thepathwaytohealing.com

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