Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine of India.  It teaches that good health begins with a balanced Agni, or fire, that drives the digestive system.   Conversely, Ayurveda believes that all diseases begin in the digestive tract due to an imbalanced Agni.  Here in the United States, digestion problems plague most Americans in the form of gas, bloating, constipation, stomach pain, and fatigue after eating. Try these Ayuverdic tips to avoid these symptoms:

• To prevent gas and bloating.  Always drink warm water with your meal, but not too much.  You should limit yourself to about 1/2 cup and take sips throughout the meal.  When water is too cold (or too hot for that matter), it interferes with digestion as the body has to first adjust the temperature of the water to the body's temperature before it can be used.  On that note, starting your day with a warm glass of water and lemon is the perfect jump start to digestion for the day.
• To Prevent Indigestion.  Begin your lunch or dinner with an appetizer of a small piece of ginger that has lemon squirted on it along with a sprinkle of Himalayan salt.  This will get your digestive enzymes flowing and prepares your digestive system.  However, if you have heartburn, use the following combination and sprinkle it on your meal.  Combine cumin, coriander and fennel and store in a salt or pepper shaker as a tasty yet tummy enhancing mix.
• When to eat the biggest meal of the day.  The belief in Ayuverda is that the time between 12pm and 2pm, when the sun is the strongest, is the most powerful time in the day to get the optimal amount of nutrition and energy from food.  This also provides the most amount of time for proper digestion before going to sleep.  Ayuverda encourages a small meal for dinner and to avoid eating past 8pm as it may interfere with sleep cycles and the body's detox process.
• How often you should eat.  Try sticking to your 3 squares with a small snack between lunch and dinner.  Avoid eating throughout the day. Ayuverda encourages time in between meals so that the body takes the needed rest from breaking down the food so it can absorb the nutrients. 
• How to eat.  Eat in a seated position in a calm environment with no phones or computers.  When we actually sit down, we tend to focus on what and how much we are eating.  In addition, chewing our food greatly enhances our digestive ability to absorb better and optimize our Agni. 

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All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction.  No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.  The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.