Summer is the season of relaxation, family fun, vacations, outdoor and late evening dinners, and an overall easy-going attitude that sometimes affects our healthy habits. Eating too much, drinking more alcohol than we usually do, and experiencing lots of sun and summer heat can increase inflammation in the body. It’s important no matter the time of year to keep that in check. And now that fall is in the air, your cool-down can coincide with the weather.
Last week we talked about foods that can cool summer bloat and inflammation. Those foods can help form the basis of a gentle, seasonal detox program that can reduce inflammation, support digestive health with enzyme rich, alkalizing foods, and improve bowel regularity — all of which can help to eliminate bloating in the digestive tract and throughout the body.
In addition to cleansing, detoxifying and alkalizing vegetables and fruits such as celery, dandelion greens, parsley, cilantro, basil, arugula, cucumber, melon, zucchini, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, avocado, broccoli sprouts, peas, sweet potato and squash, you can try sprouting legumes like mung bean and garbanzo, to add extra detoxification and anti-inflammatory benefits.
For more in-depth detoxification support, targeted nutraceuticals safely eliminate inflammatory toxins such as pesticides and toxic metals from the body, cool inflammation and further support overall digestive function.
Supplements that soothe
My recommendations for anti-inflammatory detox supplements include Modified Citrus Pectin and sodium alginates, and in-depth liver support formulas with herbs like dandelion, milk thistle seed, Oregon grape root, traditional Asian botanicals, and other botanicals and nutrients for more intensive detoxification and anti-inflammatory support.
Probiotic, friendly bacteria can provide additional support against bloating and inflammation in the digestive tract and throughout the body. We’re only just beginning to understand the vast roles that our individual bacterial communities play in our overall health. However, it’s clear that these friendly microbes are important mediators of inflammation in the digestive tract, and work to reduce expression of inflammatory genes and cell signals, reduce gas, bloating and discomfort and improve nutrient absorption, among other critical actions.
Raw sauerkraut and kimchi, as well as other types of fermented vegetables, provide excellent sources of probiotics. High quality probiotic supplements containing a mix of beneficial strains are also helpful.
A comprehensive digestive formula containing a blend of supportive ingredients such as enzymes, zinc, and botanicals such as pomegranate seed, ginger, cardamom and others can help reduce bloating and digestive discomfort in a number of ways.
Enzymes such as amylase, lipase, protease and others aid nutrient breakdown and reduce inflammation and bloating. Warming herbs like ginger and cardamom reduce gas, bloating and inflammation and improve circulation. Taken with meals, these herbs and nutrients help improve digestive function over time, support the health of the digestive tract lining, and provide quick relief from digestive discomfort including bloating and indigestion.
Additional herbs that promote circulation and detox and help reduce inflammation include red clover, turmeric, nettles, and burdock. I also recommend an extensively researched Tibetan Herbal Formula for its powerful anti-inflammatory and circulation boosting properties, demonstrated in over 30 years of published clinical studies.
This is the perfect time to give your health a tune up and cleanse your system of extra toxins and impurities. With the right anti-inflammatory solutions and a special emphasis on nutrient dense superfoods and herbs, you can help beat the summer bloat and enjoy greater energy and vitality into fall and the rest of the year!
For more health and wellness information, visit www.drelieaz.org
