Gut Check: What Keeps Digestion Moving?
Motility. Peristalsis. Migrating Motor Complex. The terms doctors use to talk about constipation can sometimes sound like a secret language. But when you’re feeling bloated, gassy, or backed up, understanding these terms can help you figure out what’s going on inside your body – and point you in the right direction to find lasting relief.
Let’s decode these terms and learn some tips for supporting your body’s natural digestive rhythm.
Motility:
Your Digestive System's Conveyor Belt
Gut motility is the natural movement of food through your digestive system – think of it as the motor powering your body's internal conveyor belt. When working as it should, motility keeps food moving along your digestive tract at the right pace, allowing your body to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste efficiently.
When gut motility slows down, digestion suffers – leading to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, constipation, and cramps. Conversely, when motility is too fast, nutrients may not be properly absorbed, potentially causing diarrhea and loose stools.
How to support healthy motility:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat fiber-rich foods
- Exercise regularly
- Manage stress
- Maintain consistent mealtimes
- Consider natural botanicals like ginger, fennel, and peppermint
Peristalsis:
The Rhythmic Waves That Move Things Along
Ever wonder how food physically moves through your digestive tract? Thank peristalsis, the wave-like muscle contractions that push food from your esophagus through your intestines. Your enteric nervous system – often called your "second brain” – controls these involuntary contractions.
When peristalsis functions well, digestion flows smoothly. When these contractions become irregular, weak, or even too strong, digestive discomfort can result. Proper peristaltic function ensures food spends the right amount of time in each part of your digestive tract for optimal breakdown and nutrient absorption.
Support your natural waves by:
- Eating mindfully (slow down!)
- Choosing whole, fiber-rich foods
- Practicing relaxation techniques
- Getting regular physical activity
- Practicing gentle movement after meals (yoga or stretching is especially helpful for releasing tension and improving blood flow to the abdomen)
Migrating Motor Complex (MMC): Your Gut's Cleaning Crew
The Migrating Motor Complex (MMC) is your digestive system's natural housekeeping cycle. When you're not eating, this mechanism sweeps through your digestive tract every 90-120 minutes to clear undigested particles and prevent bacterial overgrowth. That stomach growling you sometimes hear between meals? That's your MMC doing its thing.
The MMC requires proper spacing between meals (about 3-4 hours) to complete its work efficiently. Constant snacking interrupts this important cycle, potentially contributing to digestive issues like bloating, bacterial imbalances, and food sensitivities. The MMC is particularly active during sleep, which explains why overnight fasting benefits digestive health.
How to support your MMC:
- Allow 3-4 hours between meals
- Avoid continuous grazing throughout the day
- Try overnight fasting (12+ hours between dinner and breakfast)
Addressing the Root Causes of Constipation
Constipation is almost universal, affecting just about everyone at some point. But chronic issues deserve attention. Understanding how your digestive system works to eliminate waste can help you address the root causes of your constipation rather than just treating symptoms.
Supporting your body's natural motility, peristalsis, and migrating motor complex is a great first step in finding relief that leads to lasting regularity. Check out our newest botanical formula, Motility Assist™, to help you address constipation without harsh laxatives (which can be habit-forming).