Digestion Secrets for Nutrient Absorption and Energy

To live like a centenarian, one of the key ingredients is maintaining healthy digestion. When your digestion runs smoothly, you get the maximum nutrients from your food, which keeps your body functioning in peak condition. Keep your digestion on track with one simple habit: drink 1 cup of tea every day. If you practice consistently, by the end of the month, you will have a new habit that will pave the way for a long and healthy life!

This is the fifth habit in the 2011 Longevity Program, a yearlong plan of monthly activities that come from the habits of centenarians from around the world. The idea of this program is that by choosing a simple activity and doing it every day, you will gradually develop 12 new healthy habits by the end of the year. Would you like to do the whole year program? Look at my previous Yahoo! Blog “The Longevity Resolution: Live to 100”.

If you are interested in a more formal longevity program, check out my new bookSecrets of Longevity 8-Week Program, a journal that will transform your health and lengthen your years.

May’s Habit: Drink One or More Cups of Herbal Tea Everyday

Here’s why: We live in a culture marked by poor diet and digestion--and the poor health and short life span that go with it. Your body obtains necessary energy and nutrients from food. However, our cells cannot absorb these nutritional benefits unless the food has been digested, or processed and converted into a useable form. Sometimes particles of undigested matter can adhere to the inner intestine, which can prevent our body from completely absorbing the nutrients in our food. Certain herbs that contain natural digestive enzymes have been used for centuries to help promote healthy digestion; in fact, in many healing traditions, herbal teas are taken on a daily basis as medicine.

Top Digestive Tea Picks

These herbal teas will keep your digestive system running smoothly and help you get the most from your food. For best digestive benefits, try drinking one of these teas an hour after every meal:

• Peppermint has many well-documented properties: it increases healthy gastric secretions, relaxes the intestines, soothes spasms, settles the stomach, and alleviates gas.
• Gentian, a bitter herb with a long history of use for its digestive benefits, stimulates digestive juices and increases pancreatic activity and bile production.
• Licorice is thought to have soothing and anti-inflammatory actions that help relieve gastro-intestinal irritations.
• Ginger has been found to soothe the stomach’s digestive lining and balance gastric juices. Also, it facilitates better absorption of nutrients and better elimination of wastes.
• Chamomile is another excellent herb for settling the stomach. It also soothes the nervous system and relaxes the muscles, making it a perfect choice for the evening, an hour before bed.
• DIY Super Digestion Blend: make from the fresh herbs in your kitchen. Steep 1 teaspoon each of basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary, and sage in 1 quart of hot water; save the rest for later.
• Not your cup of tea? If tea is not your beverage of choice, you can get similar digestive benefits from drinking a glass of heated water with a lemon squeezed in it. First thing in the morning, this lemon-water “tea” will help to cleanse and move the roughage that stays behind in your intestines. Another option? If the flavor of tea seems a bit bland to your palette, try adding a twist of lemon, a sprig of mint, rosemary, or a handful of fresh basil for an aromatic flavor burst. To add sweetness, use a little honey, stevia products, or a stick of cinnamon.

Bonus tip: Abundant Energy is an herbal blend supplement that stimulates digestion, which in turn improves nutrient absorption and encourages physical vitality.

Reward Yourself

If you stick to the plan almost every day, come up with a way to reward yourself. You will be more likely to follow through with your goal when there is a bonus in sight.

Stay on Track

To stay on course, ask yourself these questions each day. Keeping a written record of daily answers will help you stick to the plan and may offer inspiring insights.

• Are you drinking at least one cup of herbal tea (or lemon water) every day? What has the experience been like for you? Do you look forward to it?
• How do you feel today compared to the previous day? How about to one week ago? You may notice less intestinal gas, improved bowel movements, and perhaps more energy.
• What obstacles are keeping you from drinking a cup of tea every day? What can you do to remove the barrier?

Make it Happen! An Answer for Every Excuse

There just are not many excuses for not bringing tea into your life: it’s one of the healthiest beverages (especially when it is caffeine free), it’s inexpensive, and tea time is a great way to take a solitary pause or share a moment with friends.

• Miss a day? Sometimes during a busy week, you may miss a day or two. But this does not make you a failure! Let go of any guilt and consider the reasons for missing a few days. What could you do differently for more successful results? Then, recommit, make adjustments, and continue where you left off. Never give up!
• Not available during the day. It is a rare workplace that is stocked with fresh herbs for steeping in boiling water! Take the habit on the road with you by bringing your own teabags to work. Another option is to make your own tea in bulk at home. Simply bring water to a boil, pour into a separate bowl and steep 2 to 3 teaspoons of fresh tea or herbs per cup of water. Then strain into glass pitcher and put in the refrigerator, where you can drink at your leisure or pour into a thermos for traveling.

On May 31: If you have been practicing drinking at least 1 cup of tea a day, it is likely that you have created a new habit. Keep up the good work and stay tuned for June, where you learn heart-healthy habits! Look for my monthly articles to guide you through a healthy and happy 2011.

You can find more ways to live a long and healthy life in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle. In addition, my newest Kindle book, The Natural Health Dictionary, makes a great companion to your quest for longevity. It is a comprehensive guide that answers all your questions about natural remedies, healing herbs, longevity foods, vitamins, and supplements.

I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Original post found here: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/digestion-secrets-nutrient-absorption-and-energy