New Delhi, January 4 (IANS). In the New Year, people are going to mountains and high places for holidays. But stomach upset often occurs while traveling at high altitude. The main reason for this is hypoxia i.e. lack of oxygen.
At altitude, the vagus nerve does not function properly, digestion slows down, gas is produced and the stomach swells. Cold also slows down digestion further. Travel also affects the microbiome. In such a situation, celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija gave important advice for those traveling at high altitude.
Nutritionists say that at high altitude, not only flatulence occurs, but the entire stomach becomes disorganized. The main reason for this is hypoxia, i.e. lack of oxygen, which affects the nervous system of the body. Digestion is also affected by this.
Citing a study, he said that hypoxia slows down GI motility, i.e. the movement of the intestines, and changes digestion.
When increasing altitude, the vagus nerve does not function properly due to hypoxia. The vagus nerve controls digestion, but it gets damaged due to lack of oxygen. As a result, intestinal motility slows down, enzymes are not released properly and stomach emptying is delayed. This increases gas, bloating and discomfort. Additionally, cold weather at altitude activates the sympathetic nervous system, which is in ‘fight or flight’ mode. This mode forces the body to conserve energy, further slowing down digestion.
According to experts, it is not just a problem of air pressure, but the entire nervous system goes into energy conservation mode. Travel also affects the gut microbiome, which is the balance of gut bacteria. This effect increases at altitude, which can cause serious digestive problems.
Nutritionists advise that just as you prepare thoughtfully before packing a suitcase, prepare your stomach in the same way. Eat a light meal before setting out on a journey, take care of hydration and choose meals or snacks that support digestion.
–IANS
MT/AS