6 min
Lazy intestine: how to remedy it naturally?
Bloating, feeling of heaviness, difficulty evacuating stools... Are your intestines being lazy? Rest assured, you are not alone since at least one in two French people suffer from digestive disorders and among them, the lazy intestine has its place on the podium.
In this article, we will examine the causes of a sluggish intestine, the signs to spot, and the solutions for a healthy bowel movement. 💪🏽
What is a “lazy gut”?
A sluggish bowel has signs similar to constipation, but it is not officially classified as a full-fledged pathology and its manifestations are less serious and less frequent.
Reminder: In allopathy, we speak of constipation if the number of stools is less than 3 per week and of chronic constipation if it persists for at least three months.
Definition and explanation of the term “lazy gut”
Lazy gut, or lazy intestinal transit , is a phenomenon characterized by an abnormal slowing of the movement of materials through the digestive system (wow, that's a nice word!).
In other words, instead of working efficiently, the intestine seems to take its time processing food and moving chyme to the final stage of digestion.
💡Um… “chyme”? Kesako? The term “chyme” refers to the substance resulting from the food mixture once it has passed through the intestine.
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The role of the intestine in digestion
The intestine is made up of two parts: the small intestine and the large intestine, which work in a coordinated manner to accomplish digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste removal.
1/ The small intestine (the largest organ in the body 😯), or small intestine, is essential for the absorption of nutrients. It acts like a complex chemical and mechanical factory, breaking down food into assimilable molecules.
2/ The large intestine , or colon, travels through the abdomen, winding around the small intestine, then opens to the outside through the anal canal.
Its main role is to absorb water and concentrate digestion residues by forming stools. In short, it completes the final process of digestion.
But its role is not limited to this unglamorous function! Indeed, it also houses beneficial bacteria essential for our immunity and well-being (and yes, it is right here and in the small intestine that our precious microbiota is hidden).
Recognizing the Signs of a Lazy Gut
Signs of a sluggish intestine generally include: slow bowel movements, bloating and flatulence (gas builds up in the stomach which then begins to swell), feeling of heaviness and a feeling of general digestive discomfort .
🧠 “ The intestine, our second brain ”, does that mean something to you? The intestine can influence emotional well-being and this is why in the event of slowed transit, mood disturbances and irritability can appear. On the other hand, this problem alone is not necessarily a sign of a sluggish gut.
These signs should be taken seriously to prevent more serious problems from developing.
In the meantime, if you tick all the boxes and other discomforts are added to the list, don't hesitate to take a look at our collection of food supplements for digestion .
Causes of lazy gut
By excluding possible drug causes and digestive pathologies, we can identify three main factors:
1) Eating habits and their impact on the intestine
Certain eating habits can influence the well-being of our intestine.
For example, a diet low in fiber, consisting mainly of processed foods and refined products, can contribute to a sluggish gut .
And yes, fiber, present in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, is essential for maintaining healthy intestinal transit.
2) Lack of hydration
Water plays an essential role in digestion and insufficient hydration can lead to stools that are harder and more difficult to pass, thus promoting a sluggish gut.
So, don't forget to give your intestines a helping hand by giving it a good dose of water! 😉💧
3) The influence of lifestyle on intestinal transit
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➡️ Stress negatively impacts the functioning of our intestines by slowing digestive secretions and disrupting peristalsis, the coordinated movement of intestinal muscles that moves food through the digestive tract.
➡️ Due to our increasingly sedentary lifestyles, our intestines sometimes find themselves in "couch" mode, and the lack of physical exercise becomes a main player in the lazy intestine.
It seems that our intestine also needs its dose of movement and agitation to stay in shape! 🏋️♂️
Our tips to stimulate your lazy gut!
Now that we know how to recognize a lazy intestine and the causes have been identified, it's time to move on to the practical part. Here are our tips to help the intestine wake up from its prolonged sleep.
Adopt a diet rich in fiber
One of the secrets to combating slow intestinal transit is to integrate fiber into your diet.
➡️ Soluble fibers form a viscous gel and influence the absorption of certain nutrients while serving as prebiotics.
➡️ Insoluble fibers do not absorb water but stimulate intestinal transit through mechanical action by increasing the volume of the food bolus.
So bet on fruits and vegetables, legumes, quinoa, chia seeds (yum in smoothies) or even fruit and nut muesli. You can also sprinkle flax seeds into your salads and dishes. Yum !
Drink enough water to keep your gut in tip-top shape
Hydration, we talked about it above! 1.5L of water per day (i.e. between 6 to 8 glasses of water) is the recommended quantity for regular transit . You can opt for water rich in magnesium which contributes to good intestinal functioning.
🍵 Herbal teas are also included and you can count on mallow, marshmallow or fennel to facilitate the work of the intestines.
The importance of physical activity to stimulate intestinal transit
When you exercise, the muscles in your abdomen contract and relax, helping the movement of food through the digestive tract. This speeds up the digestion process and allows stool to move through the intestine more easily.
A little digestive walk, what do you think?
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Avoiding stress to prevent intestinal problems
We told you, stress influences digestive disorders , so it is essential to learn how to manage it.
Why not try deep breathing? It promotes a return to calm, reduces stress and also helps relax muscles, which can make it easier to pass stools.
Sit comfortably, inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your abdomen, then exhale slowly through your mouth.🧘🏼♀️
Also think about yoga and regular stretching, especially those that target the abdominal region (the pincer posture will be your best ally 😉). This will help reduce stress while stimulating blood circulation in the abdominal area.
The benefits of natural remedies to relieve sluggish gut
Grandma's remedies, natural help, there are several tips and tricks to fight against a sluggish intestine.
Medicinal plants:
Rhubarb, psyllium and buckthorn stimulate peristalsis for better intestinal motility.
Certain hepatic herbs can also increase bile secretion, helping with digestion.
The dried fruit :
Dried apricots and figs, rich in fiber, increase the volume of stools, thus promoting intestinal transit.
Probiotics:
Probiotics are valuable allies in the fight against a sluggish intestine and slow transit. They help maintain the balance of intestinal flora, essential for healthy digestion and general well-being.
We offer you the Probio Formula , a synergy of 6 natural probiotic strains dosed at 60 billion CFU. By rebalancing your intestinal flora, it can improve digestion, intestinal transit and even your mood, thanks to the intestine's influence on serotonin production.
Get ready to shake up your transit a little! With the probio formula in your hands and following our advice, your lazy intestine will finally get its spirits back! 😊💪
Eloise Dubois-Gaché - Naturopath
Naturopath and FENA certified
Thanks to her solid experience in different herbalists, Eloïse includes, if necessary, complete and precise advice in phytotherapy, aromatherapy, gemmotherapy and micro-nutrition when setting up a personalized and adapted lifestyle program to everyone.
