Surprisingly Common Treatments And Activities That Damage Digestive Health

The digestive system breaks down food into vital energy as well as expelling waste from the body. Unfortunately, many practices considered commonplace in modern society are harmful to digestive health within the human body. Also, individuals who are underweight or overweight will experience digestive problems more frequently than those who maintain a healthy weight. Digestive health is critical to the process of achieving optimum health because the digestive system is essential in maintaining good body function and health.

Antibiotics

Every course of antibiotics an individual takes will kill the majority of bacteria, good and bad, within their stomach and bowels. Antibiotics are damaging to the digestive system because the gut bacteria that fights yeast growth has been lowered and the levels of bacteria and yeast have become unbalanced. Higher levels of yeast mean the body will shift its metabolic functions to satisfy the fungus growing within the digestive system.

After taking a course of antibiotics, many patients will undergo a two or three-day program that involves consuming probiotics, fermented foods, or bone broth to restore the balance of the digestive system within their body. Experts claim too many individuals (specifically Americans) take antibiotics to prevent viral infection, which can contribute significantly to a decline in gut health. Patients should only use these types of treatments when truly necessary.

Antacid Medication

Antacid medication is very common, and some individuals even use them daily to relieve acid reflux or heartburn. What is often less known is the fact these types of medications can cause more harm to the digestive system than good. If antacids are being used every day, it may be a sign there is a deeper problem within the individual's digestive system and perhaps a lifestyle change may be in order. Antacid consumption over an extended period can lead to allergies, bloating, and discomforting gas.

Some antacids on the market contain aluminum, which has various side effects, such as diarrhea and constipation, discomfort, loss of appetite, weakness, calcium loss, osteoporosis, kidney stones, inflammation, and pale or clay-colored stools. Other antacids may contain magnesium or sodium bicarbonate, which also have similar side effects to antacids containing aluminum.