If you’re constantly tired, sluggish, or foggy-headed, the culprit may not be your sleep, it
might be your digestion.
Your gut is more than a food processing center. It’s the core of your immune system, your
energy production, your mood regulation, and your detoxification system. When digestion
falters, whether due to poor food choices, stress, or underlying inflammation, your entire
system is affected.
Many people assume they’re eating well, but even the best nutrients can’t help if your body
can’t absorb them. Bloating, gas, irregular bowel movements, food sensitivities, these are
more than nuisances. They’re signs your body is struggling to digest and assimilate.
To support your gut, start with these:
Chew thoroughly and eat mindfully
Reduce sugar and processed foods
Eat fermented and fiber-rich foods
Support your nervous system through breath and rest
Rebuilding your digestion is like rebuilding your foundation. When your gut heals, your
energy soars. But digestion isn’t just about food, it’s also about how you live.
Stress alone can shut down your digestive process. When your body is in a fight-or-flight
state, blood is diverted away from the stomach and intestines. Enzymes and stomach acid
production drop. The result? Undigested food, bloating, discomfort, and fatigue. If you eat
while distracted, on the run, or emotionally charged, your body may not properly process
your meal.
That’s why one of the most overlooked healing tools is slowing down. Sit while you eat.
Breathe before your first bite. Appreciate your food. These simple acts calm your nervous
system and signal to your body it is safe to receive nourishment.
Another layer to gut health is the gut-brain connection. Your gut produces nearly 90% of
your serotonin, the neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and focus. When
your gut is inflamed or out of balance, you may also experience anxiety, irritability, or
depression. The gut doesn’t just respond to the brain, it speaks to it.
Healing your digestion can lead to more emotional stability, mental clarity, and better sleep.
That’s why improving gut function often helps people feel more like themselves again,
energized, alert, and emotionally balanced.
There’s also the gut-immune link. A compromised digestive system can allow undigested
proteins, toxins, and bacteria to pass through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, a
phenomenon called “leaky gut.” This triggers immune responses and inflammation
throughout the body. Over time, it can contribute to immune disorders, joint pain, skin
issues, and more.
Supporting your gut means protecting your entire system. It’s not a trend, it’s a vital part
of foundational health.
Here are more advanced tips to strengthen digestion:
Drink ginger or peppermint tea between meals to support enzyme function
Use probiotics or cultured foods like sauerkraut or kefir
Avoid overeating, leave space for digestion
Add digestive bitters before meals to stimulate bile and enzyme production
Your digestive fire, what many holistic systems call “agni”, is like a sacred flame. If it’s
too weak, nothing burns cleanly. If it’s too strong or chaotic, it burns too fast. Balanced
digestion creates energy, vitality, and clarity.
If you’ve tried everything and still feel tired or bloated, look deeper:
Are you eating under stress?
Are you chewing thoroughly?
Is your liver congested?
Are you holding onto emotional tension in your gut?
The gut is often where we “stuff” our emotions. Anxiety, fear, and grief often lodge here.
Naturopathic care, energy work, breathwork, somatic therapy, and even abdominal massage
can help release this tension so the digestive system can return to ease.
The good news? The body wants to heal. With support, awareness, and consistent care,
your digestion can repair itself. Your energy can return. You don’t have to live foggy or
fatigued.
Every healing journey begins with awareness. And when it comes to energy, digestion is
the place to start.
To your vibrant health,
Dr. Ivan, N.D.
