SLASH Your Risk of Gut Upsets
That twisting knot in your stomach comes more often than not these days.
Bloating, pain, and all those sudden mad dashes make daily routines unbearable.
With cases mysteriously soaring worldwide, you start fearing a life sentence to the porcelain throne. But emerging science identifies key culprits that could be driving your digestive dysfunction…
And there are easy steps that could provide much-needed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) relief.
In one of the largest studies monitoring digestive diagnoses over 10+ years, UK researchers correlated new IBS cases against various lifestyle factors.
They found that, by engaging in more healthy habits, folks drastically cut their risk regardless of unchangeable factors (like genetics). Specifically:
- Doing just one healthy behavior lowered IBS odds 21%
- Stacking two brought risk down 36%
- Those adhering three to five behaviors enjoyed 42% risk slash!
You don’t have to completely overhaul all your habits. The study found just improving these three areas made the biggest difference in avoiding intestinal issues:
- Avoiding tobacco
- Moving your body vigorously
- Prioritizing 7+ hours of sleep nightly
Focusing on these three offered the most protection against digestive distress and IBS.
Let’s look at how each step can improve gut health and lower IBS risk:
Cigarette-Free Guts
You likely know smoking heightens your cancer and heart disease risk over years, through tissue inflammation and blood vessel damage.
But lighting up also irritates intestinal linings immediately, contributing to chronic diarrhea and/or constipation. This disruption often snowballs into urgent episodes or knotted bloating, which characterizes IBS.
Activity Alleviations
Sure, we all know sweating benefits your heart, mind, and your weight. But did you know that moving your muscles also massages your intestines, preventing problematic kinks or sluggish flow?
Those endorphins released during moderate exercise also calm central stress pathways which frequently disrupt digestion for those with anxiety or depression.
Slumber Soothes
Lastly, missing out on much-needed sleep deprives your body’s organs of repair time. This strains their function over the long-haul.
But consistent, quality rest allows innate healing processes to keep your digestive system humming normally. With this foundation strengthened, you can better tolerate occasional dietary indulgences.
While IBS flare-ups can seem random, research highlights the top lifestyle factors influencing risk. By following the steps above, you can reclaim control over your digestive wellbeing.
To easy digestion,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. Native American “tree bark” naturally cools IBS symptoms.
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