Exercise can alleviate the effects of many conditions, including IBS symptoms, Crohn’s disease symptoms, and other digestive disorders. Regular workouts won’t cure these ailments, but they can help to regulate your gastrointestinal system and manage your symptoms.
Read on to learn why exercise can help your gut health and improve your quality of life.
Stress, constipation and your gut health
Stress can trigger intestinal problems for people who are otherwise healthy, and those with IBS are even more sensitive to stress-induced abdominal trouble. When you exercise, endorphins (feel-good chemicals) are released in your body. Exercise can help with stress management, fend off triggers, and promote the healing process.
Exercise on a routine basis keeps our digestive system working efficiently. For people who suffer from frequent constipation, exercise can help regulate bowel movements by stimulating the natural contraction of intestinal muscles and decreasing the time it takes food to move through the large intestine. This limits the amount of water absorbed from the stool into the body; hard, dry stools are harder to pass.
Research has shown that IBS patients who engaged in a moderate workout routine for a half hour each day, five days a week, found that their constipation symptoms had improved, compared to another group of patients who did not exercise.
Best types of exercise for regulating gut health
You’ll want to consult with your doctor about a plan for starting an exercise routine, especially if you’re having a flare-up of digestive symptoms. Starting easy, staying hydrated, and listening to your body is key.
You may want to consider these types of exercise, which are ideal for relieving stress and staying fit.
1.) Low-impact cardiovascular exercise
If you don’t already exercise, you may want to consider incorporating walking for 30 minutes at a moderate pace into your daily routine. Biking, hiking, and other activities you enjoy may help you stick with it. You may also want to try some gentle stretching before and after your cardiovascular activity.
2.) Yoga
There are several different types of yoga, but they all involve a blend of breathing with fixed and moving poses. Beginner classes, or classes that mention words like “gentle” or “stress relief” may be good ones to start with.
3.) Tai chi
Tai chi began as a martial art in China, and involves slow movements, deep breathing and meditation.
4.) Pilates
Pilates connects the mind, body, and spirit, and focuses on a balance between flexibility and strength.
To get the most out of your exercise routine, remember these tips:
- Stick to a routine. Exercise at the same time each day, at a time that’s convenient for you.
- Try not to exercise within an hour before or after you eat. Allowing at least a few hours after your last meal is a good idea.
- Do something that you enjoy.
You can also help improve your gut health with dietary supplements. Products like Seacure use the naturally-occurring nutrients found in fish – including Omega-3 fatty acids – to restore gut integrity in patients with ailments such as Crohn’s and IBS.
Visit our product page to find a supplement to help you live a happier, more active life.
