It is time again for “Ask the Doctor.” I particularly enjoy this monthly feature because it gives me an opportunity to answer your questions and help you on your path to health and wellness. 

If you have a question or health concern that you would like me to address, please visit the Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page and send me a private message. Mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line.

Help for Constipation, Indigestion, Bloating

Hi Dr. Hotze. My stomach is often upset and I have so much constipation and indigestion. I’m uncomfortable all the time. I also feel bloated. What do you recommend from a natural standpoint?

This is a very common concern of many adults. Let me ask each of you this: Do you suffer from an upset stomach, gas, indigestion, constipation, abdominal cramping, heartburn or bloating? Do you have IBS? Do you also have brain fog, low energy or skin issues? If so, then it’s well worth your time to heal your digestive tract and get your GI tract back to optimal gut health.

There are things you can start doing today to help get your gut back in shape and eliminate those uncomfortable, painful symptoms.

Tips for a Healthy Gut

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and help keep your digestive tract healthy.
• Do a yeast-free or Candida-free eating program.
• Take probiotics regularly to increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut.
• Avoid unnecessary antibiotics which kill not only the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria in your gut. 
• Avoid sugar when at all possible.
• Eliminate dairy products which are inflammatory and are also a common allergen.
• Avoid gluten which can cause symptoms of digestive distress and inflammation. Check labels for wheat, rye and barley
• De-stress often since stress can lead to inflammation in your gut. Stress can also lead you to eat unhealthy foods that can upset your GI tract. 
• Exercise regularly to help keep your gut healthy and balanced.

For those of you that are new to a yeast-free eating program, it involves cutting the sugar and simple carbs out of your eating plan. That means no pizza, pasta, bread, cookies, donuts and so on. Yeast overgrowth in your large intestine can cause many gastrointestinal and other health problems, so the goal is to stop feeding the yeast (yeast feeds on sugar) and to kill the yeast and replace it with good bacteria, or probiotics. It can be intimidating to start a yeast-free eating program because it may seem like it takes a lot of preparation, but once you do, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to maintain.

Eliminating sugar and simple carbs from what you eat can sound challenging, however don’t get discouraged. You’d be surprised at how much tasty food you DO get to eat!  My yeast-free Optimal Eating Program Cookbook has many tasty recipes for every meal of the day. There are even yeast-free recipes for salad dressings, sauces and desserts. You won’t feel deprived of delicious food at all. 

Here are a few examples of delicious recipes from my yeast-free eating program:

Berry Nutty Smoothie Recipe
Yeast-Free Almond Pancakes Recipe
Yeast-Free Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Yeast-Free Pepper Steak Recipe
Yeast-Free Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies

Supplements for a Healthy Gut

Probiotics help improve gut balance. Probiotics are good bacteria that are critical for nutrient absorption, attacking invaders and helping to heal the gut. 

Digestive Enzymes help break down protein, fats and carbohydrates.

Fiber supports a healthy GI tract and gastrointestinal function.

Colostrum contains beneficial antibodies, protein and vitamins which help heal gut inflammation and a leaky gut.

Betaine improves the body’s absorption and use of food and nutrients. It aids in the breakdown of protein which may reduce acid reflux and heartburn.

Aloe Vera aids in digestion by soothing and cleansing the digestive tract.

Curcumin helps lower inflammation in the gut that digestive distress and gluten intolerance can cause. It helps to lower gut pain and reduce toxins.

Neutra Caps are a safe, natural and time-released sodium bicarbonate capsule that helps reduce symptoms like sour stomach, gas, bloating, indigestion and heartburn.  

If you have any questions about improving your gastrointestinal health, doing a yeast-free eating program or supplements to help, visit www.physicianspreferencevitamins.com today or call my Certified Holistic Nutritionists and Vitamin Consultants at 281-646-1659. 

Could yeast overgrowth or Candida be the cause of your symptoms?

Take the Symptom Checker Quiz on my website to find out. Contact my Wellness Consultants today at 281-698-8698 for a complimentary consultation. Don’t wait, it’s time to feel your best and get your life back!

Keep Your Questions Coming

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you and to others who are dealing with these common problems. Keep your questions coming! Send me a private message on Hotze Health & Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HotzeHWC/. Don’t forget to mention Katy Christian Magazine in the subject line. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question. 

To learn more about the Hotze Health & Wellness Center and schedule a Free Wellness Consultation, call us at 281-698-8698 or visit hotzehwc.com.