Many factors contribute to proper digestion, absorption, and utilization of the foods so needed to nourish cells, tissues, and organs. This article is to help you in understanding how each organ has a role in digestion, how dysfunction happens & how you can best support this incredibly important and vital process.
How it’s Supposed to Work
To better understand how to improve our digestion problems, we must first know what ideal functioning looks like and what
happens when dysfunction strikes. We know education improves awareness and is a motivator for change. Proper digestion is vital to the health of all the systems of our bodies. As we come to understand the ins and outs of our physiology, we can heal our bodies and work toward achieving and maintaining optimal health.
Digestive Process / Organ
Proper Functioning & What Can Go Wrong…….
Brain
The sight and smell of food triggers the salivary glands to begin producing saliva.
As a culture, we are sympathetically stressed. In order to digest food properly, RELAX!!
Mouth / Saliva
The digestive process begins in the mouth where saliva mixes with food to begin the process of breaking it down into a form your body can absorb. The teeth physically break down food into smaller parts.
If food is not chewed properly (30 seconds or so):
The Brain doesn’t get the message to trigger proper digestive processes Food doesn’t get broken down, placing a burden on stomach Production of saliva isn’t triggered.
Saliva is a complex mixture of electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones. If enzymes not adequate, the breakdown of carbohydrates does not begin. This burdens small intestine later down the line because pancreatic enzymes cannot complete the breakdown of starches entering the colon – this feeds candida and dysbiosis, a very prevalent issue experienced by many.
Stomach
When you swallow, food enters the esophagus for passage into the stomach. The stomach continues the mechanical breakdown of food. Gastric juice is secreted from millions of tiny gastric glands located in the mucosal lining of the stomach. Hydrochloric Acid and pepsinogen begin breaking down proteins into peptides (strings of amino acids). The stomach is all about acid. Normal pH is between 1.5 – 3.0! This acid is extremely important for proper digestion. It disinfects the stomach, kills bacteria and parasites, activates enzymes for proper protein digestion / absortion. After the stomach churns food and mixes it with gastric juices, the acidic paste is released into the upper part of the small intestine.
The stomach is all about acid! If inadequate acid or use of antacids:
Our first line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms is gone (yeast, bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc.) and they are able to thrive and raise havoc in the GI tract People experience G.E. Reflux – If there is not sufficient acid, foods don’t get broken down and they cause a backward flow into the esophagus. The esophagus isn’t lined to experience acidity, so it burns!! The pyloric sphincter does not want to move the food onward to small intestine if it is too alkaline and food begins to degenerate. Proteins putrefy, carbs ferment, fats become rancid which damage the lining.
Small Intestine
The acidic substance (pH 1.5-3.0) triggers the small intestine to secrete mucous. The small intestine has a dual role as a digestive organ and a gland. The walls secrete mucous for digestion as well as secrete hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones stimulate the pancreas to release sodium bicarbonate which neutralizes the pH (7.0). The enzyme portion of the pancreatic juice is released to complete the chemical digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A hormone to stimulate the gallbladder to release bile is also released and peristalsis moves these absorb able molecules into the large intestine. Millions of little hairs that line the intestines absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream which supply the entire body.
In proper function, food enters the small intestine and it’s acidity triggers the release of pancreatic juices. If acidity isn’t adequate, hormones and enzymes are not produced in the pancreas and gallbladder. Without these hormones / enzymes:
Duodenal ulcers form Fats are not digested by gallbladder properly Bile is not flowing and is likely to become stagnant – gallbladder unable to contract – No bile, no absorption of fats. Undigested foods impact absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. The lining becomes “leaky” and allows unwanted substances to pass into the bloodstream (causing food sensitivities and autoimmunity) and is extremely hard on the immune system.
Large Intestine
The leftover substance (indigestible fibers, bile, water, etc) gets passed onto the large intestine where water is recycled and any lost nutrients that are still available (with help of bowel flora) are converted to vitamins. Feces are formed and expelled.
The large intestine deals with the leftovers. In the case of dysfunction, this includes:
Maldigested foods full of parasites, microorganisms, and undigested fats. As the debris tries to pass into the colon, the ileocecal valve can get clogged easily. Healthy flora is disrupted. Cells of the colon become weak due to stress and inadequate nourishment. Colon becomes inflamed, diverticula inflamed and irritable, loss of tone (IBS, Crohn’s, Celiac Disease, etc)
Constipation / lack of movement
Laxatives
First thing to understand regarding dependency on laxative is: You many times don’t need them! Through understanding the above processes and intricacies of the digestive system, through adequate hydration, keying into your own bio-individuality and addressing dietary needs and getting more exercise, most cases of constipation can be alleviated.
The Damaging Effects of Laxatives
Relying on laxatives can make your digestive system dependent on them to go to the bathroom. Proper functioning of digestive components, tone and health of digestive system muscles, as well as important enzymatic processes all can be affected by continuous use of laxatives. They can also cause unnecessary loss of water, minerals, and electrolytes in the body.
Am I Constipated?
Stools that are difficult to pass are an indication of constipation. Constipation is a symptom where stools are too hard, too small, too infrequent, or difficult to expel. Fewer than 3-5 bowel movements per week or more than 3 days in between bowel movements are other indicators. Optimal bowel transit time is anywhere from 15-30 hours.
Treating Constipation
Fiber is great for improving constipation, however, without adequate hydration, it can make it much worse by making the bowel thicker, harder, and more difficult to pass. Treating usually is a process. It involves trying one thing after another until you find what works. This is because our bodies are so unique and bio-individual – what works for one will not necessarily work for all. Most common causes of constipation are:
· Lack of Fiber
· Inadequate Hydration
· A Deficiency in Pancreatic Enzymes and Hydrochloric Acid
· Liver Congestion with a need for Bile Salts
· Dysbiosis / Yeast Overgrowth, Bacteria, Parasites, etc
· Food Allergies
· Low Functioning Thyroid
If you experience constipation, it is important to work with a team of health professionals who have expertise in treating it. As the above shows, digestion is a complex process of many moving parts. Trying our best to give the body adequate nutrition and supplementation to prevent dysfunction is key. Because nutrition is so important in correcting and improving digestive health, working with a nutritionist / nutritional therapist is preferred. At Nu2U Nutrition & Wellness, we understand this and have the tools to empower you to make necessary changes in your digestion.
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