Good digestive function is the foundation for good health. This is the process by which our bodies extract nurtients from the food we eat. These nutrients or building blocks are used by the body to rebuild itself and facilitate countless phisiological processes. In order to maintain or achieve good health it is important to consume high quality foods and have the means to extract nutrients contained within these foods. For good quality food choice refer to Nutrition for Better Health.

Some general signs that your digestion is not working up to par are:

• Bloating after eating

• Flatulence

• Acid reflux

• Undigested food in your stool

• Fatigue after eating

Many of these symptoms can be remedied by changing your dietary patterns. This can often be achieved by following a diet appropriate for your metabolic type or by using the principles of food combining. In addition, a good quality probiotic, digestive enzyme, and/or betaine HCl. Betain HCl is especially useful for digesting animal protein in the Stomach. Digestive enzyme preparation should contain lipase, protease, amylase.

In addition, there are a couple of things to keep in mind while eating to promote healthy digestive function:

• Do not eat on the run

• Chew your food thoroughly- digestion starts in the mouth

• You should be calm and relaxed while eating

• Avoid reading or watching television

In addtion to these simple remedies, Tradtional Oriental Medicine can also provide many solutions for various digestive disorders. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis and treated appropiately using acupuncture and herbal medicine.