Digestion  Myths  

6  Digestion  Myths  &  Facts  March  2014  

Myth:  Lactose  Intolerant  People  Should  Not  Eat  Dairy  Products  •  Most  people  with  lactose  intolerance  can  

handle  some  amount  of  lactose,  however,  the  amount  varies  from  person  to  person.    

•  Some  people  may  be  able  to  have  eat  yogurt,  ice  cream,  and  some  cheeses  while  others  may  not.  

•  Cheeses  such  as  Swiss,  Mozzarella,  Provolone    and  Cheddar  may  be  tolerated  better  than  other  kinds.  

•  Products  made  from  fortified  soy,  rice  and  almond  milk  are  typically  lactose-­‐free.    

Myth:  Spicy  Foods  Cause  Ulcers  •  While  spicy  foods  could  worsen  the  symptoms  

of  an  existing  ulcer,  they  do  not  cause  them.  

•   NSAIDs  and  the  bacteria    Helicobacter  pylori  cause  the  majority  of  stomach  ulcers.  

•  Spicy  foods  actually  have  health  benefits  including  having  the  ability  to  increase  serotonin,  reduce  blood  pressure,  fight  off  cancer,  and  help  you  lose  weight.  

 

Myth:  Raw  Foods  are  Harmful  •  Raw  animal  products  such  as  eggs  and  

sushi  from  safe,  local  sources  are  nutritional  powerhouses.  

•  Fermented  foods  improve  digestion  and  aid  the  body  in  absorbing  vitamins.  

•  Foods  such  as  raw  honey,  Kombucha  and  Kefir  are  packed  with  gut-­‐friendly  probiotics,  enzymes  and  good  acids.    

•  Some  raw  and  fermented  foods  have  been  reported  to  be  beneficial  for  diabetes,  high  blood  pressure,  and  high  cholesterol,  as  well  as  other  ailments.  

Myth:  The  More  Fiber  The  Better  •  Dietary  fiber  is  healthy  and  can  ease  certain  

digestive  conditions  such  as  constipation,  Irritable  Syndrome,  to  name  a  few.  However  you  can  eat  too  much  fiber.  

•  20  to  35  grams  of  fiber  per  day  is  ideal  for  most  people.  

•  Increasing  your  daily  fiber  too  quickly  can  cause  cramping,  bloating,  gas  and  even  intestinal  blockage.  

•  Eating  too  much  fiber  may  interfere  with  how  your  intestines  absorb  certain  minerals  such  a  calcium,  iron  and  zinc.  Find  the  right  balance  for  you.  

 

Myth:  Irritable  Bowel  Syndrome  (IBS)  Is  All  About  Your  Diet  •  While  certain  foods  can  trigger  IBS  symptoms,  a  

change  in  diet  alone  is  generally  not  enough  to  do  so.  

•  Many  people  find  that  eating  any  food  will  trigger  the  abdominal,  bloating,  diarrhea,  or  constipation  associated  with  IBS.  

•  Stress,  anxiety  and  hormonal  changes  also  trigger  IBS  symptoms.    

•  To  identify  your  triggers,  keep  a  journal  of  the  foods  you  eat,  any  stressoes  you  have  throughout  your  day  as  well  as  how  you  feel  before  and  after  eating.  

 

Myth:  Heartburn  Is  Just  a  Nuisance  •  Heartburn  is  a  symptom  of  several  conditions  

including  reflux  disease,  a  progressive  and  long-­‐term  condition  that  can  lead  to  painful  symptoms  and  possibly  death.  

•  Esophageal  cancer  ,  the  fastest  growing  type  of  cancer  in  the  U.S.  is  directly  linked  to  reflux  disease  and  in  fact,  may  be  the  only  cause  of  it.  

•  Reducing  heartburn  doesn’t  mean  that  the  reflux  disease  is  cured.  It  simply  means  you  cannot  feel  it.  

•  While  reflux  disease  cannot  be  reversed,  if  caught  in  the  early  stages,  it  can  be  effectively  managed.  So  don’t  ignore  frequent  or  prolonged  heartburn.  

 

Want  More  Digestion  Help?  

Access  Your  Free  Report  Now!