Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I have major digestive problems. At any given time, I suffer from IBS, reflux, chronic constipation, bloating and gas. Like many others, I deal with daily work stress. I also know I am not eating as healthy as I should and don’t get enough exercise. How do I get my digestive system back on track?” — Steve K., Houston, TX

A. Dear Steve, I do have some simple suggestions when it comes to supporting your overall digestive health. The first step has to involve diet. I strongly advocate avoiding wheat and all other grains, as well as pasteurized dairy products. Click on this link for more information on my healthy diet plan. This is the diet I follow and it will help you have more energy, reduced stress and a better digestive system.

Adding probiotics and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) to your daily regimen will help to soothe your ‘gut’ – that is, the stomach and intestines. Probiotics, also called ‘beneficial bacteria’, typically colonize in the intestines and are not only beneficial for intestinal health, but overall health as well. I especially like a blend of probiotics combined with a clinically studied, encapsulated DGL. DGL helps keep your stomach and intestinal mucosal lining strong and intact. Look for a product that contains a DGL extract standardized to contain 3.5% glabridin, with greater than 10% total flavonoids per dose. I recommend taking 1 or 2 capsules of this blend daily.

I would also recommend adding a formula that contains a special blend of boswellia and curcumin. Curcumin and boswellia are two Indian plants that exhibit very effective anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to promoting tissue repair. Take 1 softgel of this combination twice daily. When looking for a formula, keep in mind that standard curcumin is very poorly absorbed, so make sure you choose a curcumin with excellent absorption that has been proven in published human studies. The best form I have ever found uses micronized curcumin blended with turmeric essential oils in a patented process. This curcumin has been shown in published human studies to be up to 10 times better absorbed than standard curcumin. It’s also important to find a formula that features a boswellia extract that has filtered out the majority of beta-boswellic acid to 5% or less. Unlike most boswellic acids, beta-boswellic acid is actually pro-inflammatory. Removing it greatly enhances the potency of the boswellia extract. You also want a boswellia extract that includes at least 10% or more of acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA), the most active component of boswellia.

I would also consider adding a concentrated essential oil blend to your daily regimen. Look for a formula that contains Basil, Peppermint, Coriander, Cumin, Bay, Caraway and Lemon oils. This blend of oils provides excellent support for gas relief, indigestion, bloating, nausea, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and vomiting. I recommend taking 1 softgel of this essential oil blend after each meal.

When choosing a formula, make sure it features concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.

While you may not be able to rid yourself of the stress, I do recommend taking four of the best adaptogenic herbs on the planet: rhodiola, eleuthero, ashwagandha and schisandra to help cope more effectively with stress. Adaptogens work by increasing strength, stamina, and energy without being stimulants. For daily stress relief, I recommend taking 1 capsule twice daily.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally