Portrait of a friendly physiotherapist helping his senior patient work out with weights.
Regular exercise and physical activity help with cardiovascular health, improved mood, better management of chronic conditions, and can help digestion. For individuals with any GI distress or inflammatory bowel disease that has caused digestive enzyme deficiencies, exercise, and physical movement have been found to provide digestive aid. Here we look at activities to help digestion.
Table of Contents
When exercising the body, the cardiac output/volume of blood the heart pumps every minute increases as the demand for oxygenated blood throughout the body increases, particularly in the working muscles. During exercise, the same increase in blood circulation happens within the digestive systemβs muscle groups. The blood flow to digestive organs causes peristalsis, which is involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles in the digestive tract. This process helps move food efficiently through the gastrointestinal tract. Exercise supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Moderate-intensity exercise activities to try include:
Whether new to exercise or returning, a plan can help you get there. Meeting with a fitness trainer or sports chiropractor is a great place to begin if you have limited knowledge about what works best for your body and schedule.
Cherpak, Christine E. βMindful Eating: A Review Of How The Stress-Digestion-Mindfulness Triad May Modulate And Improve Gastrointestinal And Digestive Function.β Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) vol. 18,4 (2019): 48-53.
Drouin, Jacqueline S et al. βComparisons between Manual Lymph Drainage, Abdominal Massage, and Electrical Stimulation on Functional Constipation Outcomes: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.β International Journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17,11 3924. June 1. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijerph17113924
Hamasaki, Hidetaka. βExercise and gut microbiota: clinical implications for the feasibility of Tai Chi.β Journal of integrative medicine vol. 15,4 (2017): 270-281. doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(17)60342-X
Joyner, Michael J, and Darren P Casey. βRegulation of increased blood flow (hyperemia) to muscles during exercise: a hierarchy of competing physiological needs.β Physiological Reviews vol. 95,2 (2015): 549-601. doi:10.1152/physrev.00035.2013
LeBouef T, Yaker Z, Whited L. Physiology, Autonomic Nervous System. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538516/
Singhal, Rashi, and Yatrik M Shah. βOxygen battle in the gut: Hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in metabolic and inflammatory responses in the intestine.β The Journal of biological chemistry vol. 295,30 (2020): 10493-10505. doi:10.1074/jbc.REV120.011188
van Wijck, Kim, et al. βPhysiology and pathophysiology of splanchnic hypoperfusion and intestinal injury during exercise: strategies for evaluation and prevention.β American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology vol. 303,2 (2012): G155-68. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00066.2012
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The information herein on this blog site is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-C*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-C, CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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