Gastrointestinal (GI) Motility – refers to the coordinated, automatic muscle contractions (such as peristalsis) that push food and fluids through the digestive tract—from the oesophagus down through the stomach and intestines.
In South Africa, colorectal cancer ranks among the top three most common cancers affecting both men and women. Factors include, sedimentary lifestyle, eating processed foods, consuming excessive sugar, consuming alcohol and smoking, the pesticides and fungicides used in growing and storing fresh foods and stress.
What can you do?
Taking small doses of inulin daily.
Taking small doses of psyllium husk daily
• Digestive Regulation: It acts as a bulk-forming laxative to soften hard stools and relieve constipation, while also absorbing excess fluid to firm up loose stools and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Cholesterol Lowering: The gel binds to bile acids and dietary cholesterol in the gut, helping eliminate them in the stool and reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
• Blood Sugar Control: Slowing down digestion helps blunt blood sugar and insulin spikes after meals, making it beneficial for people managing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Take care of mobility as you age, keep moving like a walk daily, yoga, dancing, chi gong etc
Short chain fatty acids support motility, gut lining, and metabolism
• Acetate (Acetic Acid – 2 carbons): The most abundant SCFA, which enters the bloodstream to serve as an energy source and a metabolic building block.
• Propionate (Propionic Acid – 3 carbons): Taken up largely by the liver, where it helps regulate glucose production and lipid metabolism.
• Butyrate (Butyric Acid – 4 carbons): The primary energy source for colon epithelial cells, vital for maintaining the gut barrier and reducing inflammation.
You can increase SCFA production by eating high-fiber and prebiotic-rich foods that feed your gut microbiome:
• Whole grains: Oats, barley, brown rice, and whole wheat.
• Legumes: Lentils, black beans, chickpeas, and peas.
• Fruits and vegetables: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, and chicory root (inulin).
• Resistant starches: Cooked and cooled potatoes, green bananas, and cornmeal.
Keep hydrated – we need adequate liquids to support large intestine and motility. Magnesium taken at night supports motility. Magnesium acts as an osmotic laxative and muscle relaxant in the gastrointestinal tract, drawing water into the intestines and stimulating peristalsis to relieve constipation and improve bowel motility.
Wash all fresh produce with food grade 3% hydrogen peroxide, vinegar or baking soda before consuming to remove surface pesticides.
Calm and balance your nervous system because it directly affects your digestive system.
Source: Ilana Gurevich, ND, LAc, MSOM is a naturopathic physician, licensed acupuncturist, and digestive health expert and founder of Open Wellness PDX.
A Bio resonance Health Scan is cost effective and gives you insight into how your body is functioning, including your digestive system and nervous system. This scan also gives you an indication of the state of your microbiome and toxicity levels.
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