#1 Digestive Health

(This is #2 of 7 posts on Targeted Solutions. Here is the link to the 
Improve Your Health-Targeted Solutions. It is important first to get on a foundation program of a protein and multi-vitamin... and then focus on "Targeted Solutions" - Targeted Solutions refers to systems within our body that may need special attention.)
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What is the Digestive System? 
It starts with what goes in your mouth and the path through your system that breaks down the food, assimilates it into the bloodstream, and gets rid of the waste. This includes your esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
 
A healthy digestive system is the first area that I suggest people focus on because this is where many of our health issues begin.

Some common digestive issues:
heartburn, acid indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea, bad breath, headaches, skin problems, and more serious issues such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, liver problems, diverticulitis, or cancer.
 
Here are some of the foods suggested for a healthy digestive system:
Bananas   Prunes   Pears/Apples   Berries   Lentils   Oatmeal   Asparagus   Almonds   Onions   Chia Seeds   Flaxseed  
Leafy Greens   Yogurt

​How many of these foods do you eat on a daily basis?
 
In addition to adding these foods to your diet, here is what you can do to get your digestive system in great shape.
 
Just as you regularly clean the outside of your body, you also need to regularly clean the inside of your body. When the digestive system isn’t cleansed of undigested foods, it can create unhealthy toxins, this can cause several digestive issues that also can interfere with the absorption of the nutrients you are getting!
 
Here’s an example to help you better understand what may take place:
Take a piece of meat, put it in a plastic bag, put it outside in the month of August for 3-5 days. A similar situation happens in your intestines.
 
Here is another example. Just as you go to the dentist once or twice a year to get a deep dental cleaning, it is suggested that you do a 7-day cleanse that will help reset your digestive system.                                                   
The 7-Day cleanse consists of eliminating for 7 days those foods that we do need to eat but may also be the ones clogging up our digestive tract: caffeine, dairy, grains (breads, noodles, rice), and meat. The cleanse consists of eating lots of different vegetables that have the fiber to clean your system while providing nutrients to sustain your health and energy (as opposed to fasting or going without food or limiting to one type of food.) Here is a 3-minute video clip that will tell you more about the process and the benefits of the 7-Day Cleanse program                                            
 
The video clip shows a 7-day supply of specific products that Shaklee has put together. These are herbs that help with this cleansing process: Herb Lax, Alfalfa, and Liver Detox. The 7-day Cleanse diet is optional, but if you purchase the Prove It Challenge you get a free box You can chose to either wait until you are ready to do the cleanse or you can take them without being on the cleanse diet.
 
These herbs are pre-packaged and recommended for the 7-Day program, but they are sold separately (much less expensive for long term) and most people who take these Shaklee products all year round.
 
Here are more details of each product to and how they can help build a healthy digestive system.  
 
 ALFALFA

The alfalfa plant has the longest root of any plant and thus absorbs and contains many trace minerals important for our health.
 
Here is why this is important and why I think everyone should take Shaklee’s Alfalfa tablets every day.
 
Have you ever felt “bloated” after eating a steak or burger? Or have you ever had some acid indigestion after eating certain foods? As we age our stomach slows down on producing digestive enzymes, so it becomes important to provide foods with digestive enzymes like Alfalfa.
 
Here are some other benefits from taking Alfalfa:
Alfalfa is a green plant and contains “chlorophyll” …this has been known to help with regulating bad breath and body odor. It also acts as a natural diuretic for those who tend to “hold water.” Some people have found the trace minerals helpful to reduce arthritis pain.                                                                                                           
 
I am not familiar with any recipes that would include Alfalfa, so getting this plant in a supplement form is important to me.
 
Shaklee provides a high-quality Alfalfa with spearmint tablet. Here is a suggestion as to how many should you take. The bottle says to take 10 a day. I know of some people who take 40. I take a minimum of 5 a day. Find your comfort and need level.  The tablets are easily crushed, so you can add the powder to your smoothie, salad, or make as a tea if you don’t care for swallowing a lot of tablets.
                                                                              
HERB LAX

I once read that Dr. Shaklee was asked that if he could have only one product which would he choose. He said, “herb-lax.” This is a marvelous blend of herbs that is a healthy laxative and detoxifier.
 
Here is why:
Your small intestine is 20 feet long and your large intestines is 6 feet long. The walls are not smooth, but instead have “ridges.” The herbs help the intestines to contract and clean out your system and help clean out ridges.
 
What to expect the first time you take herb lax is important to know. Take it in the evening before a morning when you do not have to be some place soon after you wake up! You may want to start with just one and then the next time take two. Some people take 4 to 10. The first time in the morning, you may experience some slight cramping. While it is uncomfortable, it is your system moving a lot of bad stuff out. If this occurs, be patient and know it is for good and don’t be afraid to take it again. You will find your system will feel better each time.
 
Is herb lax safe? Yes. It is just herbs, no chemicals or anything artificial.
I took 4 a day while I was pregnant and had no issues.
Now I take Herb Lax for about 3-5 days in a row once or twice per month.
  
 LIVER DETOX

Your liver is the body organ that helps to get rid of toxins and the herbs in the Liver Detox is mix of 4 herbs that have been clinically proven to be effective for proper liver function.
 
There are many ways to get toxins in your system, not just through unmoved food waste in your intestines. Check out more information about toxic chemicals in our homes and offices that may be making you ill, some things you can do to create a healthy environment and about Shaklee’s non-toxic products.  Are You Living in a Toxic Home?                                                                                               
 PROBIOTIC
Your intestines need “good” bacteria to help function properly and digest your foods. Probiotics provide the bacteria you need. Yet, foods high in probiotics are generally not those eaten every day by most people – yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, sauerkraut, miso soup.
 
This is another supplement that I take every day. Shaklee provides several choices of probiotics products. Shaklee’s probiotic products have “Bifidobacterium” which is a probiotic found in some dairy products and helps with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
 
 
MY EXPERIENCE
 
At one time in my life, I had everything the television advertised remedies for… headaches, acid indigestion, elimination problems, etc. I was always tired. I thought these things were “normal” since I was getting older. Age had nothing to do with it, it was because I had an unhealthy digestive system.
 
At that time, I was introduced to Shaklee and decided I was going to trust their research and suggestions. I started with a nutrition regimen and did get on additional products to check them out. This is what I take:  at least 5 Alfalfa a day, 2 herb-lax for 3-5 days sequentially each month, liver detox twice a year when I do the 7-day cleanse, the probiotic
 
In my senior years, I can eat most anything I want, don’t take any medication, don’t have any food allergies, and don’t have any of the digestive issues I had 40 years ago.
 
When you buy the individual bottles for these products, they are very inexpensive and well worth the money for the health benefits you’ll get. Give them a try to see if they will do the same for you and help you to have a healthy digestive system.
 
I do credit my gut health to Shaklee’s products because I did not immediately know what to eat for my digestive system. I still rely on the supplements to help because even though I may know what I should eat, I do not always get what I need.

Go to: #2. Immunity System