Am I really that fat?
Digestive disorders have become epidemic in the US and millions suffer regularly. While gas and bloating is common to both sexes, it is widespread in females, particularly during our menses.
Outside of the standard physical ailments induced by our monthly visitor, most women agree that cravings for salt and sugar lead us to overindulge, increasing our waistline and frequently resulting in indigestion, bloating and distention.
Hoping to take a closer look at the problem, the digestive experts at The Enzyme Research Group, (ERG) in association with Enzymedica, conducted a survey of U.S. females. The survey results illustrate how impaired digestion can have troubling effects on women’s lives.
The ERG researchers discovered that an overwhelming 96% of women feel that digestive health is an important issue, and an equal number of women reported some form of digestive issue, including 55% who suffer on a regular basis. Of the 40% of women who said they have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder, Heartburn and GERD topped the list.
More women than ever seem to be experiencing the consequences of digestive unrest. Women can develop digestive disorders at any time of the month due to poor food choices, faulty digestion or an enzyme deficiency, but cyclical pain and indigestion seems the norm.
These reports mirror a 2006 study published in Gastroenterology Nursing indicating that women with irritable bowel syndrome experience an aggravation of symptoms before or during their menstrual cycle, and digestive complaints such as diarrhea and pain also increase.
45% of the women polled by the enzyme researchers said that they consider themselves overweight
When it comes to digestive health symptoms, many females report feelings of what could be called ‘false’ belly fat. This post-meal pot-belly makes us feel unattractive, less sexy and even embarrassed.
“What women see isn’t necessarily fat,” shares Ellen Cutler, D.C., best-selling author of several books on natural medicine, including Winning the War Against Asthma and Allergies, and Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes. “Instead, women are likely seeing bloating and distension due to monthly water retention and impaired digestion as a result of diet.”
Dr. Cutler is the founder of the BioSET® Clinic in Mill Valley, California, and has over 20 years clinical experience treating digestion and allergy-related conditions.
In truth, few of us are able to banish our fat pants, and if public opinion is correct, our monthly waistline expansion is expected. 84% of women said that bloating affects how our clothing fits, and 74% said that this issue affects their self esteem.
Intestinal issues can seriously affect our way of life. In 2008 the Foundation of the American Gastroenterological Association evaluated the everyday effects of digestive problems on Americans. They found that “nearly half of Americans (46%) say that digestive problems affect their day-to-day lives, preventing them from getting a full night’s sleep, going out to eat, exercising, participating in fun activities and even hanging out with friends.”
Tending to a Tender Tummy
Finding a solution means understanding our body’s natural process of digestion
Our digestive tract is essentially a hollow tube. When functioning properly it forms a barrier between what’s inside, like undigested foods and bacteria, and the core nutrients we should be absorbing into the bloodstream. In an ideal state, nutrients pass through properly, and things that should be eliminated make their way out. The process is a delicate one, however.
Our digestive system uses enzymes to enhance digestion and help turn the food we eat into energy for the body. Produced by the mouth, stomach, pancreas and intestines, and available from raw foods and plant-based dietary supplements, these enzymes include amylase for carbohydrates, lipase for fats, and protease for proteins, and cellulase for fiber.
Dr. Cutler explains, “During our period we often reach for packaged snacks like chips and pastries. These things are high in sodium and devoid of natural enzymes and the micronutrients which support a healthy intestine. Hard to digest, they cause us to hold water and stall our bowel movements. If we’re already feeling crampy and moody, the constipation and water retention isn’t going to help.”
“Taking a daily enzyme supplement can create the foundation of a healthy digestive process,” continues Cutler. “A product containing a full spectrum blend of all four key enzymes is considered an ideal digestive aid.”
In their recent survey, the ERG found that 45% of women experienced bloating that cycles with their periods, and nearly a third said that digestive upset was the norm during their monthly visitor. When asked about trigger foods, the worst offenders noted were imbalanced meals, junk foods, dairy, and fatty meats.
Dr. Cutler reminds us that an irritated intestinal wall is not unlike your skin. When we wear a scratchy, abrasive wool sweater on bare skin we often see a rash and irritation. Undigested food particles in the intestine work in a similar way as the wool sweater, irritating and damaging the bowel wall. Given time, this inflammation can reduce our digestive capacity and influence the absorption process.
“Constipation and indigestion can lead to inflammation in the intestinal tract,” says Cutler. “This can induce food sensitivities and allergy-like symptoms making the bloating problem worse.”
In the ERG study, a whopping 47% reported food sensitivities and or allergies.
Banish Stubborn Belly Bloat
Practical advice for dealing with digestive dilemmas
Women should understand that while digestive issues may plague our gender, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s often easy to outsmart digestive demons if you identify the offending culprit and make a few simple changes to diet and routine. And new research indicates that many of us are choosing to balance digestion through food and supplement choices.
Recent statistics published by the American Gastroenterological Association report that almost 60% of people say that they manage their digestive problems by avoiding specific foods, and about 65% indicate that their problems are triggered by eating the wrong types of foods.
So reducing consumption of trigger foods, particularly those we crave, is a good option.
Not all remedies require dietary modification, however. The ERG reports that 87% of women use dietary supplements, including enzymes and probiotics to aid the digestive process.
Dave Barton, Director of Education for Enzymedica, America’s leading digestive enzyme manufacturer, trains retail staff and consumers how to be supplement savvy about digestion. He shares, “over the past decade we’ve seen the digestive category grow exponentially. What was once a category of purgative laxatives and chalky fiber has grown to include the healthy flora found in yogurt, soothing aids for heartburn and indigestion and the growing market of enzyme rich digestive supplements and functional foods.”
Folks like Dave point out that while probiotics get a lot of press, enzymes made by our bodies and found in fresh wholesome foods and supplements play a vital role in digestion, healthy weight and energy. Enzymes, taken in capsule form can aid digestion and maximize breakdown and assimilation of foods thereby reducing stress on our internal metabolism and enzyme producing organs.
While special diets can be helpful to those with impaired digestion, some women report digestive distress when incorporating fiber-rich vegetarian foods. And if we are spending good money on organic produce and whole grains, the last thing we want is to feel bloated and uncomfortable.
The explanation? Reveals Barton, “fiber rich foods contain lots of plant cellulose and other hard to digest starches. Cellulose is broken down by the cellulase enzyme. As humans, we don’t make cellulase, so our bodies cannot break down fiber. Instead, it is excreted as waste, along the way helping to keep our intestinal tract clean, and providing food for probiotic bacteria. A simple solution is to take an enzyme supplement containing cellulase and various starch digesting enzymes such as alpha-galactosidase and phytase.”
To see the results in a graph, please go to http://www.enzymedica.com/press_release_download.php?id=49
Enzymedica sponsored the recent survey in association with The Enzyme Research Group. The survey evaluated 113 adult females, age 18 and older, surveying their experience with digestive health issues. The survey was conducted online and in anonymous interview and ran from December 14, 2009 – January 4, 2010.
American Gastroenterological Association, Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition Survey, The Everyday Effects of Digestive Problems, May, 2008. http://www.fdhn.org/digestivehealth/get_the_facts.html referenced December 29, 2009.
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Digestive Enzymes supplements by Enzymedica: the Enzyme Experts.
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