Tips to Improve Digestion

Digestion is something present in our lives and essential for keeping us alive. Everything goes well until "something goes wrong" and we start to feel unwell. If this problem is not addressed, it can become more complicated and lead to other conditions. At Farmaciasdirect, we explain how to improve digestion through the best healthy habits for the digestive system.

What is digestion?

Digestion is a vital process for our body and the mechanism by which our body obtains nutrients from food. At each of the stages of digestion, different proteins and mechanisms are involved in breaking down food into nutrients so that their absorption is possible.

This process involves multiple organs: mouth, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, large intestine, oesophagus...

Benefits of digestion

The nutrients we obtain through digestion are absorbed by our body and used by the cells to carry out all the body's functions. This means our body can function fully, which is why it is very important to follow a healthy diet. If we maintain good digestion, we will obtain quality nutrients in the right amounts needed for our health.

Factors that affect digestion

There are several factors that affect our digestive process, some of which are:

• Not following a healthy, varied and balanced diet: consuming too much sugar, fried foods, ultra-processed foods or alcohol.
• Eating too quickly: Our body is not aware that we have started eating, it does not feel full and this causes us to eat more.
• Not chewing properly.
• Stress, nervousness and anxiety: these alter the gut microbiota and how it functions.
• A sedentary lifestyle: physical exercise supports intestinal transit.

What is poor digestion?

The expression "poor digestion" refers to the symptoms that may appear during the digestive process if it is not being carried out properly: heaviness in the stomach, bloating, gas, reflux, heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, intestinal pain.

It may be temporary and caused occasionally by one of the factors mentioned above. But if it persists over time and/or the symptoms worsen, you should consult your doctor.

10 healthy habits for the digestive system

At Farmaciasdirect, we suggest 10 tips for achieving optimal digestive health.

1. Follow a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Choose vegetables and fruit to ensure a good intake of fibre.
2. Limit your intake of sauces, ultra-processed foods and spicy meals.
3. Avoid large meals. We recommend eating 5 times a day, in small amounts, spread across breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack and dinner.
4. Chew properly, eat slowly and take your time.
5. Drink plenty of water; this helps nutrient absorption.
6. Do not lie down or go to sleep straight after eating.
7. Do physical exercise regularly to improve gastric emptying and bowel function.

1. Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
2. Manage stress, try to relax; you can use relaxation techniques.
3. Look after your microbiota, so that nutrients can be absorbed properly, and to help prevent constipation. You can support this by taking probiotics.

What can you take for digestion?

If you want to know what is good for digestion, here is our pharmaceutical recommendation:

Almax

Almax is one of our medicines for heartburn with rapid action, helping to relieve acidity, heartburn and the feeling of heaviness after large meals, making it a useful support for improving digestive wellbeing when looking for a solution for occasional discomfort, always as a complement to balanced eating habits and not as a substitute for a good digestive routine.

You can find Almax in various formats, such as syrup, chewable supplements or oral suspension sachets.

Vitae Oliovita Gastro

It is a food supplement that protects and regenerates the intestinal mucosa, thanks to its composition rich in:

• Beta-glucans: improve the activity of the microbiota and the immune system. They provide prebiotic benefits for our microbiota or gut flora.
• Sea buckthorn oil: repairs, rehydrates, regenerates, protects... in other words, it helps reduce inflammation.

Vitae Oliovita Gastro is highly recommended in cases of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, digestive inflammation associated with intolerances or coeliac disease. It is also useful for easing the negative effects of medicines on the intestinal mucosa. You can take 2 capsules a day (or 4 capsules a day during a flare-up), split into two doses.

Gavinatura

It is the perfect food supplement to use in cases of indigestion, stomach pain, heartburn and excess gastric acidity. It helps protect the gastric mucosa, counteract acidity and prevent irritation. And it does so naturally thanks to its composition rich in aloe vera, malva sylvestris and chamomile.

It is very easy to take, as these are tablets that dissolve directly in the mouth. What is more, taking them is very pleasant thanks to their lemon flavour. It is recommended to take 1 tablet after each main meal and another before going to bed.

Both adults and children from the age of 6 can take Gavinatura. In addition, it is also suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Aboca Colilen IBS

Food supplement recommended for treating the symptoms of irritable bowel, helping to ease symptoms such as pain, abdominal bloating and irregular bowel movements. Its ActiMucin patent (made up of resins, polysaccharides and polyphenols) forms a film over the intestinal mucosa and thus protects it from irritating substances.

Take 2 capsules before breakfast, 2 capsules before lunch and 2 capsules before dinner. It is recommended to continue treatment with Aboca Colilen IBS for 2-6 weeks and take it again if symptoms reappear.

Pranarôm Oleobiotic Gut Health

It is a food supplement that improves how our intestine works and, with it, the associated discomfort. It is especially indicated when travelling, as we change our routine and our diet, which can affect bowel behaviour.

Oleobiotic de Pranarom contains oregano, cinnamon and star anise essential oils, active ingredients that help to soothe discomfort, regulate transit and reduce gas. Take 1 capsule before or during meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for 5 days.

If you have any questions about which supplement to take for your case, you can contact our team of expert pharmacists through our pharmaceutical advice form. Also remember that if symptoms continue or worsen, you should see your doctor.