Interesting article by Mike Barrett from NaturalSociety.com…

How to Dramatically Boost Functions of the Digestive System

While there are numerous possibilities for health problems to arise, the issue  of poor digestion is often overlooked. If your digestive system is not  functioning properly, and there is a great chance that this is the  case, then your body will have a tough time absorbing vitamins and nutrients.  Along with these nutrient deficiencies may also come health issues like fatigue,  skin disorders, emotional instability, and a whole host of other problems. In  order to avoid these health issues, you need to know how to help improve the functions of the digestive system.

Helping Functions of the Digestive System

There are entire texts which focus on the topic of digestion and how your body  breaks down and utilizes nutrients. Considered by some experts to be the ’2nd  brain’, the human digestive system goes through extremely complex processes and  even has the ability to produce neurotransmitters. In addition, this system  possesses an advanced communication network similar to that of a human brain.  While the research concerning digestion is still in the early stages, we know  that keeping functions of the digestive system strong is crucial for optimal  health. So how do we help the digestive system to be strong?

• Chew Your Food and Eat Slowly – An extremely basic  eating principle, chewing your food and eating slowly is essential to maintain  digestive health. While digestion may seem like it starts once you swallow, the  entire process actually starts in your mouth when enzymes from the salivary  glands help to chemically break down food molecules into a absorbable size for  your body. It is recommended to chew each bite of food at least 20 times, and  don’t rush the process.
• Consume Foods that Promote Easy Digestion – Foods like dried  fruit, beans, apples, vegetables, and flaxseeds are great for improving  digestion. One particular food that has amazing digestive-promoting properties  is papaya, or papaya  leaf extract. This food can help with the digestive system by  breaking down proteins and supporting production of digestive  enzymes. Although Papaya  Leaf Extract is often viewed as an excellent treatment for  digestive disorders as well as disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract, it  provides many more health benefits. Oregano  oil benefits also encompass the supporting of the digestive system
• Drink Warm Water  with Lemon – The hydrating power of pure water is largely  beneficial on its own, but when matched with a few slices of nutrient-packed  lemon, warm lemon water can empower your health through boosting your energy,  helping to improve functions of the digestive system, and even be a powerful  ally in your quest for natural fat loss. It’s atomic composition is similar  to that of saliva’s and the hydrochloric acid of digestive juices.
• Take care of Inflammatory Issues – Inflammation is one of the  most common causes of poor digestion and overall gut health. Sugar is the main  culprit behind the causes of inflammation, so sugar consumption should be  reduced drastically. The only way to reduce sugar consumption is to count the  grams of you sugar consume daily, and ultimately limit the number to ~25g. In  addition, vitamin D, magnesium, quality fish oil and turmeric  can help with inflammation. Taking care of digestive issues is also one of  many ways  to improve mental health and clarity.
• Drink More Water – The digestive system needs to be well  hydrated like the rest of the body, but downing glasses of water near mealtime  will impair digestive strength and may cause upsets. Water is best sipped  lightly during a meal. Otherwise you should get your water in at least 15-30  minutes before a meal and preferably at least an hour after. This is also a  basic technique to improving functions of the digestive system.
• Avoid Splenda – Ghrelin is your stomach’s appetite signal. While  it has many roles, it also releases a growth hormone that repairs the body.  Ghelin levels increase in response to digestive distress. With the increase in  ghelin levels comes the increase in appetite, causing you to eat more food.  Splenda’s link  to a digestive imbalance means that this process will occur, ending in  weight gain. Elevated ghelin levels increase your cravings for sugar and  carbohydrates, causing you to eat an excess amount of food that goes through an  already-distressed digestive system. If you have these cravings, then it’s time  to fix your digestive system.