Get out of the gutter - how to supercharge your digestive health system

How I overcame my constipation and bloating through improved gut health

When I moved to the USA for business school, being the foodie I am, I looked forward to experiencing American cuisine. Coming from Africa, I was keen on trying one of the biggest exports of American cuisine - burgers and French fries. I quickly outgrew these, and started trying other foods from American restaurants. It took me only 3 months to start noticing strange changes to my body, chief of which was straining when doing ‘number 2’ in the restroom. At first, I thought this was a passing phase caused by stress (classes were brutal and fast-paced, and I was exercising less and less).

When the backup continued, I threw in the towel and visited the school’s medical staff, who pointed out that that it may be the food, and suggested a prescription of pills that could clear the backup and end the straining. Alternatively, I could also try finding time to live life the way I used to in Africa, i.e, exercising more and eating organic food. A little-kept secret is that African-grown food is almost always organic (unless of course it is South African, where they opened their country to genetically modified seeds and food). I do not know anything about the science that goes into GMOs that makes the food taste horrible and yanks helpful nutrients like fiber out, but I know that organic food tastes better while retaining the qualities that make it move down the digestive tract without the eventual need to strain when emptying the bowls.
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Instead of taking the prescription note, I figured I am better off seeking natural remedies to my problem, and start with changing my diet, and exercising more. I was playing the long-game in my solution search. I wish I could tell you that it was smooth sailing. The truth is I have had wins (W), followed by losses (L) as I went between craving sugary processed foods, and then eating healthily, and vice versa. Eventually, I started researching how Americans solve their ‘backed-up’ problem. I like the wisdom of the crowd, because if something works, there will be a lot of testimonials about that. If something does not work, there will also be plenty of reviews that show that it does not work. Besides eating high-fiber foods like legumes (beans, lentils, etc), natural grains, fruits, and other remedies out there, in my research, I also found other acclaimed products that Americans use to for digestive help. Using the same wisdom of the crowd, I have listed 3 products that are helpful in that regard and can be easily acquired from local and online stores such as Amazon.

Please bear in mind that this is not medical advice, just what other people have found helpful. If you need medical help, please consult your doctor.
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What some people have found helpful
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1. Physician's Choice Probiotics 60 Billion CFU - 10 Strains + Organic Prebiotics - Immune, Digestive & Gut Health;

This product has over 120K reviews on Amazon, with a combined 87% of them 4 and 5-start ratings. But don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself. Verified purchasers who have found this product helpful have this to say: ‘if you are thinking about this product, buy it!’ A lady who struggled with bloating added ‘I highly recommend this product if you suffer from bloating and look pregnant by the end of the day’; A guy who also had similar issues wrote ‘Has definitely helped me be more regular and less bloated. Great product for the price’. Remember to also go through the less-flattering 6% who used this but gave it a 2-star rating and below, as you try to figure out if this product will work for you.

This product is meant for men and women seeking digestive and gut health, and a remedy for occasional constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating. Take heed though, as products like these make statements that have not been verified by FDA.

Some similar products that have attracted rave reviews from users are:

2.  Physician's Choice Probiotics for Women - PH Balance, Digestive, UT, & Feminine Health- 50 Billion CFU - 6 Unique Strains for Women - Organic Prebiotics, Cranberry Extract+ - Women Probiotic - 30 CT

3. Nature's Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic, Daily Probiotic Supplement, Supports Digestive Health, Twin Pack, 100 Count (Pack of 2)

If you do not have time to do research on the best products out there, just checking out the quantity and quality of reviews from other users can go a long way in helping you make a decision on what others have found helpful.