Constipation | A Metabolic Plan

Aloe Vera is known primarily for its topical benefits on a scrape or burn. However, it is actually enormously beneficial when ingested. It’s like moisturizing your body from the inside out. Used on a daily basis, Aloe can help reduce the damage which occurs in the gastrointestinal system much like it helps heal a skin lesion.

How many people do you know who complain of heartburn, gas, acid indigestion, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or diarrhea, to name a few? All of these ailments are related to the GI tract. Many things such as medication (antibiotics for example), affect the health of the GI tract and its ability to function properly by fighting off harmful bacteria and eliminating waste. When the gastrointestinal tract is damaged or stressed it effects the entire body.

For years people who consumed Aloe have testified to the its healing qualities and now there is more and more scientific research that supports those claims. Aloe has been added to hand and body lotion to help add moisture and heal the skin which is “epithelial tissue”. The GI tract is also lined with epithelial tissue and therefore aloe also heals and keeps it supple. Just like the skin, when the GI tract is dry and “cracked” it’s susceptible to infection.

Aloe is reported to aid in

digestion
blood-sugar regulation and cleansing
detoxification
healing by stimulating cell replication
reducing inflammation in joint and muscle tissue associated with arthritis
strengthening the immune system

Even consuming aloe daily may require several weeks to notice significant improvement and any continuing gastrointestinal issue should be addressed by a doctor.

There are many Aloe products on the market. Before selecting one, check to be sure it’s bioactive and that it has a good ratio of aloe to water. Univera’s Aloe Gold®* has 200 parts aloe to 1 part water. For added defense, active botanical compounds – Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and green tea extract are added to help support the growth of beneficial intestinal flora. Most aloe on the market has been heat processed thereby destroying the polysaccharides and therefore many of the benefits. Also much of the value of aloe is lost in about 6 hours after it is harvested. This aloe is processed near the fields in order to capture those active elements.

*Aloe Gold® with ACTIValoe® from the Aloe inner gel fillet is the only Aloe Vera product with guaranteed purity, potency, and biological activity.

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Your Body is Screaming for Water!

Filed under: gastrointestinal system, health and nutrition; Tagged as: allergies, asthma, constipation, energy, fatigue, glycogen, headaches, health, high blood pressure, insomnia, nutrition, water

One of the most critical nutrients the body requires is water and it’s probably one of the most overlooked parts of our diet. Every bodily function is dependent on our body being hydrated. Water flushes toxins out of vital organs and joint tissue, carries the nutrients to your cells, provides hydration for the tissues such as nose, throat, etc. and contributes to the production of vital energy.

Glycogen, which is the body’s main source of stored energy, is produced through a process which combines water with glucose. If there is not enough water, extra amounts of glucose remain in the bloodstream, which increases your blood sugar level and ultimately is stored as fat.

One of the primary functions of the liver is to metabolize stored fat into energy. The liver needs the kidneys to filter toxins, wastes, ingested water, and salts out of the bloodstream in order to function properly. If you are dehydrated, the liver must compensate for the kidneys inability to filter out this debris. As a result, the liver metabolizes less fat and therefore more is stored.

Water is also a great natural appetite suppressant. It actually decreases hunger cravings. However, do not drink large quantities of water before a meal, because that will actually dilute the digestive enzymes and prevent proper digestion.

The amount of water you need depends on your diet, your health, your weight, the climate you live in and even the elevation. Some estimates say that you should get 1/2 your body weight in ounces each day through drinking water. Obviously our diet provides water also and therefore it’s important to choose foods that are not calorie laden or are actually diuretics such as caffeine, soda pop or alcohol.

Besides just drinking water, our skin is another method of providing hydration to our bodies. How many times have you worked out or been outside working or just had a long hard day and then took a shower. It refreshes you partly because you’re re-hydrating. The health of your skin is a great indicator of your body’s hydration level.

While water isn’t a cure-all, certainly there is indication that dehydration may be implicated in the following ailments.

Headaches
Joint & Back Pain
Anxiety & Depression
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Fatigue & Insomnia
Allergies and Asthma
Constipation

The evidence is certainly compelling - water is the source of life. So instead of drinking water as an afterthought, put it at the top of your daily routine. It could quiet your body’s screams.