Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips # 30: Keep Things Moving

There's been quite a bit of attention paid to digestive issues in the news the past couple of weeks.

One study revealed that chewing too much sugar-free gum, which contains the sweetener sorbitol, can lead to chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain and severe weight loss because sorbitol is poorly absorbed by the small intestine and is known to have laxative properties. What I found so fascinating about this article is that the patients, a man and a woman, consumed 15 to 20 sticks of sugarless gum per day - that doesn't sound like so many to me.

Another study showed that the highly-contagious norovirus, or stomach flu, which has been made famous by the outbreaks on cruise ships, can be passed from one person to another through contact with commonly-shared items such as computer keyboards and computer mice. Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea.

So, what can you do to avoid being the victim of these conditions? Well, in the first case, it's pretty obvious - limit your consumption of sugar-free gum to just a few pieces daily. In the second case, avoid spreading the norovirus by practicing frequent hand-washing with soap and water and stay home if you're sick. Here are some tips for keeping your digestive system healthy and humming:

Aging Backwards Digestion Tips:

1) Add exercise. Exercising at least three times a week helps promote a healthy intestinal system and can keep you "regular."

2) Add fiber. A diet low in roughage and high in refined carbohydrates can cause constipation and in severe cases, diverticulitis, inflammation of the diverticula in the intestinal system. Examples of roughage, or dietary fiber, include raw vegetables and fruit, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts and seeds, to name a few. Vegetables that are very high in fiber include broccoli, celery, cabbage and cauliflower.

3) Hydrate. Drinking water can help alleviate constipation by adding fluid to the colon and making it easier to go.

4) Enjoy a cup of antioxidant-rich coffee. Studies have shown that coffee is rich in heart-healthy antioxidants, but it can also "help you go" in the morning. Caffeine is a stimulant that can jump-start your system, but caffeinated beverages can also dehydrate, which can cause constipation, so once again, enjoy everything in moderation.

5) Enjoy a good joke. Laughter serves many healthful purposes, such as releasing endorphins, the feel-good hormones, but it also flexes the stomach muscles and helps stimulate the intestine.

6) Breathe deeply. Deep breathing spreads oxygen throughout the body, energizing every cell.

7) Try Grandma's remedy. The old standby and the butt of many jokes, prunes are still one of nature's best ways to stay regular. Prunes are actually dried plums and recently had the name officially changed to dried plum. The sweet, sticky fruit is high in fiber, high in potassium, a good source of Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene and can help normalize blood sugar levels. Also, studies show that prunes can increase the absorption of iron into the body.

Many medical practitioners agree that optimal intestinal health can promote optimal overall health. According to Richard Schulze, N.D., "The large intestine is so big, that it is connected to, touches, sits next to or is in the vicinity of every major organ in the human body except the brain. Your colon touches most of your major blood vessels and nerves. A sluggish, poorly functioning colon can adversely affect any area of the body." Try these tips to help keep you healthy from the inside out.