Because every cell in our body relies on our ability to properly transform and transport the nutrients in our food, it is even more important to consider how this system is taking things in, than it is what we are putting into it.

Digestion is a north to south process, meaning that it starts in the brain with the thought, then sight and smell of food. Before our food even touches our tongue, digestive enzymes are being produced to start our food’s southern journey. Therefore, if any part of this system is in a state of dysfunction, the rest of the sequence is likely to experience some consequences as a result.

Digestion is a parasympathic process, meaning that we must be in a state of calm and rest to be able to properly digest. When we are in a cortisol-dominant sympathetic state, blood is shunted away from our digestive system and brought to the brain for focus and acuity, and the muscles for speed and strength. So while it may seem obvious that while running from a saber toothed tiger is not a great time to eat thanksgiving dinner, in our modern society we are actually doing some version of this almost at all times when we eat. Whether we are sitting at our desk between meetings, shoveling down refined carbohydrates, or feeling slightly annoyed at our children for picking out all of the ‘green things’ from their meal after we’ve had a long day of working and then laboriously preparing a nice dinner for them, simply put, if we are stressed we are not going to properly digest.

Therefore, it is certainly possible to have a really great diet and also experience symptoms like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, heartburn, disbiosis etc… all of which likely indicate an imbalance in a northern aspect from where the symptom is showing up.

If you are experiencing digestive discomfort of any sort, try a combination of any or all of these simple things:

- Really take in your food before you eat it. Take in the sight and smell of it, and think of all the ways you are grateful for the miraculous natural processes and human labor that went into bringing it to your plate.

- Make time and space especially for eating, try to really give yourself enough time to chew your food fully (20-30 times/until it is the consistency of a smoothie) before swallowing. This is not only an important part of how carbohydrates are broken down, but also this chemical digestion happening in your mouth signals the start of gastric digestion in the stomach.

- Use digestive bitters before a meal to boost HCL (which is how we digest protein and kill pathogens that potentially ride in on our food), to stimulate digestive enzyme production, and assist in signaling to the gallbladder to release bile which helps with fat digestion.

- Papaya enzymes are great to take after a meal to further help with nutrient absorption and gastric signaling.