Gut Check: 18 Common Signs of Poor Digestion

I struggled with digestive issues like bloating, heartburn, and constipation for years. It wasn’t until much later that I learned ways to support healthy digestion and experienced real gut healing.

Digestion is the most important focus for a body to heal. When nutrients are digested and absorbed well, the whole vitality of the body is affected.

Proper digestion ensures that our bodies can break down food into nutrients and absorb them for energy and cellular functions. Unfortunately, a lot of people undergo dysfunction with their digestion, finding themselves with discomfort and possible nutrient deficiencies.

When we know better, we can support our bodies better

Our bodies are amazing in that they are always communicating with us and sending messages when there is dysfunction. When we are able to learn more about symptoms or signs that entail dysfunction, we can do better to support our overall health.

Let’s learn about eighteen common signs that indicate you may not be digesting your food properly

1. Belching or gas one hour after a meal
2. Heartburn or acid reflux
3. Bloating shortly after eating (within 1 hour)
4. Bad breath
5. Loss of taste for meat
6. Stomach upset by taking vitamins
7. Feeling excessively full after meals
8. You feel like skipping breakfast
9. You feel better if you don’t eat
10. Fingernails chip, break, or peel easily
11. Anemia unresponsive to iron
12. Undigested food in your stool
13. Stomach upset by greasy foods
14. Greasy or shiny stools
15. Nausea
16. Light or clay-colored stools
17. Abdominal bloating 1 to 2 hours after eating
18. Specific foods make you tired or bloated

Many of the above signs are related to low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), decreased output of pancreatic enzymes, or the need for gallbladder support. Our digestion flows in a north-to-south pattern and we always want to support the northern part first. This means having adequate stomach acid production to be able to effectively digest our food. Our pancreatic enzyme output is triggered by the proper acidity of the chyme (partially digested food) entering the small intestine from the stomach. And, our gallbladder will function optimally only when the chyme is at the correct pH level. So, you can see that it all starts with stomach acid.

What are some of the causes of low stomach acid?

• Chronic stress
• Antacid drug use
• A diet full of sugar and refined foods
• Chronic overeating
• Constant snacking between meals
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Overconsumption of carbs
• Nutrient deficiencies, especially zinc and thiamin
• H-pylori infection

How to support digestion

To heal digestion and for it to be sustainable in the long term, we can’t overlook the following strategies. They are foundational:

• Stress management: I know this is a tough one in our busy times, but it’s super essential that we address stress. We cannot digest effectively if we are frequently in a stressed state. During stress, blood gets directed from the digestive system to the brain or muscles. When stress is on, digestion is off. Try to support your parasympathetic or relaxed nervous system by taking deep breaths prior to a meal, sitting down, and setting aside all technology to focus on your meal. Read this article to learn more about how stress affects digestion.
• Reduce processed foods as much as possible. These foods cause inflammation in your stomach and reduce stomach acid.
• Chew your food thoroughly. When food isn’t chewed well, it causes the food to sit in the digestive system for longer than it should which can cause gas and bloating, as well as loss of appetite. Chewing helps stimulate saliva production and the release of digestive enzymes. It also reduces the burden on the stomach. Remember, our stomachs don’t have teeth! This habit is always one of the hardest for my clients to incorporate, but the effects are powerful!
• Include some bitters in your diet: Bitter foods or digestive bitters help get the body prepared for digestion by stimulating the production of stomach secretions. Bitter foods include arugula, artichoke, dill, Brussel sprouts, dark chocolate, cranberries, grapefruit, and dandelion greens to name some.
• Eat foods high in zinc. Zinc is a cofactor for the production of stomach acid. Some rich sources include: oysters, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, animal protein-especially beef.
• Include some acid: Add fresh lemon juice or 1 TBS raw apple cider vinegar to some water and drink about 10 to 15 minutes before a meal. This can improve stomach acid levels, supporting better digestion. Avoid this if you have heartburn or acid reflux, and focus on upper gastric healing first.
• Add a pinch of unrefined sea salt to each glass of water you drink throughout the day. Unrefined sea salt contains many minerals. Stomach acid production requires several minerals for cofactors.

To sum things up, proper digestion is vital for overall health and vitality. When our bodies have a tough time effectively digesting and absorbing nutrients, it can lead to discomfort, nutrient deficiencies, and a wide variety of digestive issues. Recognizing the signs of poor digestion helps us to take proactive steps to support our bodies better.

The eighteen common signs mentioned in this article provide important insights into potential digestive problems, such as low stomach acid, decreased pancreatic enzyme production, or gallbladder issues. Understanding the root causes of these problems, such as chronic stress, poor diet, infection, or nutrient deficiencies, empowers us to address them and make necessary changes.

By paying attention to our bodies signals, making conscious choices about what we eat, and getting into good habits, we can improve our overall health. Remember, when we know better, we can do better for our digestive health and overall wellness.

Need help with supporting healthy digestion and pinpointing the root causes of your pesky digestive symptoms? I’d love to support you. Set up a complimentary discovery call. There’s no pressure and no strings attached.