Gut and liver

THE gut and liver are under discussion today because in order to give ourselves a fighting chance to beat all the metabolic challenges that life is going to throw our way, we need to look after them.

The gut digests and assimilates, while the liver detoxifies. Clinical trials indicate that very few people have a healthy gut or a fully functioning liver. What we need to do is to take the time to focus on key digestive processes.

Just as eating can be a delightfully enjoyable pastime if we allow ourselves to savour each mouthful, digestion can be maintained in its most pristine form if we take the appropriate care.

So let’s see how much attention we need to devote in restoring optimal gut health by completing the following symptom questionnaire.

Evaluate your responses to the following symptoms according to this rating scale:

0 = never, 1 = twice a week, 2 = three to six times a week, 3 = daily or several times per day.

• Excessive burping.

• Offensive breath.

• Sores in corner of mouth.

• Bloating.

• Excessive passage of gas.

• Heartburn and indigestion.

• Alternating diarrhea and constipation.

• Dry flaky skin and brittle hair.

• Poorly formed stools.

• Anal itching.

Scores:

0 – 5: You have an excellent digestive system.

6 – 10: Not bad, but you can do with a tune up.

11 – 16: You need to take care, you are heading for trouble.

17 – 23: A poor digestive process; you need a comprehensive gut evaluation.

24 – 30: See your healthcare practitioner immediately before your insides implode.