At the risk of sounding dramatic, I have been dealing with stomach issues pretty much my entire life. I was 11 years old when I learned I’m lactose intolerant, had heartburn for the first time at 15, and became gluten-free at 17. Needless to say, my gut health has been on an upward trajectory since adolescence. But the last two years have done a number on my digestive system; I’m now on a prescribed 80mg of Prilosec per day, have never-ending stomach bloat and can’t eat anything—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
In truth, the gut is responsible for keeping the body in harmony. And while I could wax poetic about how GERD has wreaked havoc on mine, I’ll spare you the details. Just believe me when I tell you that I’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked. Which is why I’ve decided to call in some holistic reinforcements.
Make no mistake: I fully support western medicine; however, I like to take the natural route when I can. Which is why I tapped Ayurveda practitioner, gut health expert, occupational therapist and CEO Bridge Ochoa for her expert insight into how to keep your gut healthy.
What is Ayurveda?
Before we break down Ochoa’s simple hacks for better gut health and less heartburn, let’s quickly go over what Ayurveda is. “Ayurveda is a holistic ancient medical system (over 5,000 years old) that is based in nature,” Ochoa told me. She then went on to explain how this ancient medical system identifies three doshas: vata (air and ether), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (earth and water). These doshas are considered the ruling elements of the mind and body; and when one is imbalanced, it naturally throws off the other two.
Furthermore, Ayurveda recognizes that we all have a unique and individual mind and body blueprint and treats that blueprint with the respect it deserves. “More of us are coming to find out that good nutrition is more than just the food you put on your plate,” Ochoa said simply. “It is about the whole person, the mind, behaviors, and lifestyle. We need to balance these factors to foster mind, body, and spirit balance and prevent genetic-based and environmentally-based diseases for the long haul. Ayurveda has had this figured out for thousands of years.”
Now that we’ve broken that down, let’s get into it. Without further ado, I present to you Ochoa’s holistic hacks for better gut health in 2024. Keep scrolling to learn more.
3 Hacks for Better Gut Health in 2024:
MEET THE EXPERT
Bridge Ochoa is an Ayurveda practitioner, gut health expert, occupational therapist, and CEO of Bridge Ayurveda and has been helping business owners naturally and holistically recover from hormonal issues, digestive issues, fatigue, and hair loss with an over 90% success rate via Ayurvedic courses, workshops, retreats, and 1:1 programs.
1. Eat the right foods for your mind and body type
In Ayurveda, the digestive system rules the body. Which is why it’s imperative to eat the right foods for your mind and body type. “One person’s medicine is another person’s poison, which means all salads and vegetables are not healthy for everyone,” Ochoa told me. And with the right foods and lifestyle modifications, you can start healing your gut naturally.
To do this, determine what your Ayurvedic constitution is. (You can take this free quiz to find yours.) This will give you a great starting point to go off of. Likewise, you can also try working with an Ayurvedic practitioner; that way, you can avoid wasting precious time and money trying to figure out the right foods for you.
Additionally, Ochoa explained that Ayurveda prioritizes how well a meal can be digested above all else. This is why it incorporates a lot of herbs, spices and fresh foods into meals and reduces snacking, eating late at night, and drinking cold and carbonated beverages.
2. If you’re suffering from heartburn, pinpoint the cause of it
Although heartburn can happen for a variety of reasons, Ochoa says Ayurveda recognizes three main ones. First, an inflamed digestive tract. Ochoa explained that this basically means a tract that’s on fire, and that “These individuals are more prone to heartburn, indigestion, acidity, loose frequent bowel movements, and pungent gas.”
Additionally, a weakened digestive or irregular digestive state may be the culprit of heartburn in others. People with a weakened digestive state or irregular one are more likely to experience upward movement in their body, which is where the reflux comes from. Whatever the case may be, Ochoa swears that pinpointing what’s going on in your body is key to fixing it.
3. Try natural remedies
While different remedies will work for different people, there are a few that work well for most people. Just be sure to check with your doctor before trying something new; the last thing you want is to do something that’ll upset your body more.
That said, if you have the OK from your doctor and want to improve your gut health, here are a few natural remedies Ochoa recommends:
- Cumin, coriander, and fennel seed tea. All of these spices are very mild and have tons of natural anti-inflammatory properties.
- Avipatikar churna. Also known as the “Tums of Ayurveda,” this works lightning-fast to get rid of heartburn. Ochoa suggests using about ¼ tsp with warm water and throwing it back like a shot before lunch and dinner. Quality matters, so get your Avipatikar from reputable, organic brands. (Ochoa loves Banyan Botanicals.)
- Triphala powder or aloe juice. Both of these are great for those who suffer from irregular bowel movements or are prone to constipation. Ochoa says both act as a mild laxative while strengthening the digestive tract.
- Work with an Ayurvedic practitioner. If you’re at a loss, consider talking to a pro who can guide you in the right direction.
