Digestion Health

 Digestion Health

We often take digestion for granted. Who thinks much about what happens to food after we eat it? And anyway, aren't some of those digestive processes a bit-well-inappropriate as topics for polite conversation?

But good health depends on adequate digestion. Without sufficient physical and chemical breakdown of foods, the nutrients every human cell needs to function would not be available. Poorly digested food is toxic; when it sits too long, it can be absorbed and recalculated through the body, stressing the liver and the immune system and eventually causing disease. And if the body works too hard to digest food, vital energy is diverted. Digestion starts in the mouth, where salivary enzymes begin the chemical processing of food and the teeth break it down physically. (Garry D'Brant, a chiropractor and clinical nutritionist who treats digestive disorders in Greenvale, New York, recommends chewing each bite twenty to thirty times.) From the mouth, food slides down the esophagus to the stomach, where high concentrations of hydrochloric acid dissolve it further. Material then passes to the small intestine, large intestine and to the colon before being eliminated. Along the way, material is moved through dozens of feet of gastrointestinal tract by peristalsis, waves of contractions that propel food through the hollow digestive canal. As food makes its way down the canal, nutrients are extracted and absorbed by the body.

Though not technically part of the canal itself, the liver, gall bladder and pancreas are crucial to digestion. The liver produces bile, which emulsifies fats and aids peristalsis. Bile is stored in the gall bladder, which contracts and secretes the bile into the small intestine. The pancreas produces three important digestive enzymes: amylase, which helps digests starch; lipase, which takes part in the absorption of fat; and protease, which breaks down protein. Digestion disturbances can be painfully obvious. Some ills, thankfully, disappear quickly, like the discomfort from overindulgence in food or alcohol. Others persist chronically, and can, potentially, cause a health emergency.

These conditions include:

Gastroesophageal reflux, a failure of the valve between the stomach and lower esophagus, allows stomach acid to back up and makes us reach for antacids to quell the subsequent heartburn.

Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach's mucous lining, can come and go (with the arrival and departure of irritants like spicy foods or aspirin) or turn into a long-lasting condition.

Ulcers linked to infection with the Helicobacter pylori bacteria; use of NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or other diseases can eat away the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Gastroenteritis, distress caused by a flu infection or food poisoning.

Ulcerative colitis inflammation of the colon.

Irritable bowel syndrome (commonly called "spastic colon"), marked by alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea.

Crohn's disease, a complex chronic inflammation that affects the intestinal wall.

 Gas

Food Allergies

Sometimes food sensitivities are due to enzyme deficiencies that prevent certain people from digesting particular nutrients. Many people are plagued by excess gas, for instance. In general, if swallowed air and gall bladder problems can be ruled out as causes, fermentation and decomposition are the likely culprits. Some foods, including beans, radishes, cabbage, broccoli, and other foods of the cabbage family, tend to produce gas. Beans produce gas because the body lacks an enzyme to split their sugar, which is a disaccharide, or double sugar. Because this sugar is not fully digested, it travels through the digestive system to the bowel, fermenting, and gas is the byproduct of this process. cooking beans longer, until they are a sludgy porridge, as the Mexicans do, breaks the sugar bond and reduces the production of gas. In the process, however, they lose a lot of the food value that probably led you to choose beans as a food in the first place. Multi vitamins and minerals should be increase. Milk also may cause gas, and again it is due to incomplete digestion because of the lack of an enzyme. Lactase is necessary to split the lactose, or milk sugar, which is another disaccharide or two carbon sugar. Unless it is broken down into monisaccharides, it can ferment, producing gas, increasing mucus, and causing other problems. With the increase of protein powders, many may see a increase of excess gas, since most protein powders on the market today comes from milk or dairy ingredients. When these protein powders are mix with milk, this can cause a double amount of gas. Taking an antacid to counteract gas generally aggravates the condition because it further depletes the acids that are already lacking to complete the digestive operations and causing gas. The problem can, however, be resolved by adding betaine hydrochloric acid, and digestive enzymes to the diet to assist digestion. With protein powders, which to mixing them with water or juice or used a Soy base instead of whey base.

Digestion Maintenance

Although digestive problems sound grim, they can usually be treated-and healthy digestion maintained-with natural medicine from a variety of healing traditions. Acupuncturist Nigel Dawes, a faculty member at the New Center College for Wholistic Health, Education and Research, Syosset, New York, uses acupuncture and herbs to alleviate gastrointestinal disorders. The acupuncture corrects energy (qi) imbalances that disturb digestion and is particularly effective in treating anxiety-related disturbances like "nervous stomach." And it works quickly, says Dawes. "We see symptom changes in one week or two." Since herbs are taken orally and work directly on the digestive system, "they are often the treatment of choice for GI (gastrointestinal) problems," he continues. "Herbs can really help change the environment in the gut." Herbs are especially effective when digestive tissue breaks down (as in destruction of intestinal villi, which leads to poor absorption), obstructions, yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth or chronic debilitation with weight loss (such as the wasting AIDS patients experience). Dawes has used astragalus root as a tonic to strengthen muscle tone of intestines and intestinal peristalsis. Ginger, (research) raw or dried, improves gastrointestinal secretions. "And licorice root is in almost every digestive formula, (research)" he says. "It's an antispasmodic, increases secretions and calms nervous disorders of the stomach." He uses cinnamon bark as a circulatory tonic, to improve the blood supply to the intestines, and uses atractylodes to help move fluids through the digestive canal.

Cleansing the Tract

Organic, whole foods are a boon to digestion; processed foods and foods full of antibiotics, hormones and pesticides may tax the liver and make the body work harder to extract nutrients. Systems that have been stressed by bad eating and poor digestion can be cleansed, however, and refreshed with a number of substances. For instance, milk thistle extract has been shown to improve digestion and help the liver clean out the digestive system. Grape seed bud is an antioxidant that treats dyspepsia and gas while uva ursa leaf acts as a diuretic that can prevent amoebic diarrhea. In addition, several substances, by speeding elimination, can rid the digestive tract of toxins. Psyllium fiber cuts gastrointestinal transit time (speeding food along its way) and can reduce LDL cholesterol levels. (LDL cholesterol is the blood cholesterol linked to heart disease.)

 Other fibers like oat bran, rice fiber and prune fiber also produce similar digestive effects. Steven Nenninger, N.D., sometimes recommends supplements, specifically vitamin C and quercetin (antihistamines that can control gastrointestinal inflammation), and soluble, gluten-free fiber. If your digestion is slow-and you've no history of inflammation, ulcers, colitis or Crohn's-he recommends one to two capsules of digestive enzymes (lipase, protease, and amylase), with meals.

 FOS Fosters Good Bugs

Fostering the healthy growth of microorganisms called bifidobacteria in our lower intestines can also promote better digestion while possibly dropping our risks of cancer and heart disease. (These little germs may produce anticarcinogenic substances and help eliminate harmful fats before our bodies absorb them.) These helpful bacteria thrive on starches called fructooligosaccharides (FOS). FOS, found in fruits and vegetables, can also be taken as a supplement made from Jerusalem artichokes. Because it feeds these good bugs, FOS has been credited with lowering blood pressure, reducing blood fats and reducing constipation. Many health practitioners, no matter what their specialty, agree on one thing: our stress-filled culture upsets our stomachs. Avoiding arguments at the dinner table, listening to peaceful music and eating slowly (not gulping food in the car, while talking on the cellular phone) can all help digestion. "Minimize stress to the greatest extent you can," advises Steven Nenninger. "If you can't, figure out why not." He recommends counseling for those who need help making lifestyle changes that promote healthy digestion. (If you're the type who feels unworthy of good health, the homeopathic remedy Nenninger recommends is natrum muriaticum.) And watch your metaphors: if you catch yourself saying "I can't stomach that" or "I'm fed up," your digestive system may be sending you a not too subtle message.

 Gallstones

I have a customer that suffer from severe gallstone attacks, especially at night. She said sometimes, the pain would persist all day long. I completely overhauled her diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, nuts and seeds). In addition, I started her on supplements to help to prevent gallstones and enhance liver health. The remedies I use include dandelion, milk thistle, peppermint oil and vitamin C. The approach has made a dramatic difference in her condition. 

Natural Help

Probiotics

Probiotics refers to a category of dietary supplements consisting of beneficial microorganisms. Probiotics complete with disease causing microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. When helpful bacteria such as acidophilus are reintroduced into the gastrointestinal tract, the result is balance. Probiotics are responsible for several activities in the gut, including manufacturing B vitamins such as biotin, niacin (B 3), folic acid, and pyridoxine (B6); producing lactase; producing antibacterial; killing harmful bacteria by changing the acid/alkaline balance and by depriving the harmful bacteria of the nutrients they need; improving digestive tract function; and combating vaginal yeast infections.

ACIDOPHILUS: Probiotics live in our intestinal tract, mainly in the bowels. Over 400 different species of micro-organisms make their home in the healthy intestine. They can weigh up to 3 pounds, and have so many important functions in our bodies that they can be thought of as an exogenous organ. Throughout the digestive system, their numbers can be as high as 100 trillion. They actually outnumbers the cells of the human body by as much as 100 to one. This mass is formed of both healthful and harmful species.

By weigh, there are actually more bad guys. However, among the many functions of the desirable microflora is the job of keeping the undesirables in line. Other functions include assisting in the digestive process, helping to alleviate gastric disorders, eliminating bad breath, preventing yeast infections, lowering blood cholesterol, producing B vitamins and vitamin K, and stimulating the immune system. The bacterial balance of the intestines is the fulcrum of health. Intestinal bacteria are not static. They are highly active and constantly in a state of flux. As beneficial "probiotic" bacteria thrive, they help discourage unwanted bacteria and fungi from proliferating out of control. the two types of probioric supplement most commonly encountered are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Although both kinds can be found throughout the digestive tract, acidophilus generally thrives in the small intestine and bifdobacteria in the juncture of the intestines and in the large intestine.

BIFIDOBACTERIA: (including B. bifidum, B. infantis, and B. longum) are natural inhabitants of the human intestine. They are found in the stools of humans and help prevent colonization of the intestine by unfriendly bacteria, assist in the production of B vitamins, and increase acidity of the intestine, which is inhibitory to less desirable microorganisms. They also help infants retain nitrogen, which encourages weight gain. The Japanese scientific community now believes that bifidobacteria are the most important of all probiotics because they prevent reabsorption of toxins (such as amines) that, when allowed to re-enter the system, place significant strain on the liver. Bifidobacteria also complete against Candida albicans, the bacteria that cause yeast infections. Bifodbacteria are the most common bacteria found in breast-fed human infants. Bottle-fed babies are low in bifidobacteria, however, as are most adults who have taken antibiotics or eaten pesticide-rich foods.

LACTOBACILLUS BULGARICUS is found in yogurt and cheese. When eaten or taken in a supplement form, this good bacteria enhances digestion of the milk sugar lactose by producing the enzyme lactase. As with other lactic acid bacteria, this transient bacteria encourages a more acidic environment, which inhibits less desirable microorganisms. Bulgaricus assists in the breakdown and absorption of proteins. It also boosts the immune system by stimulating the production of macrophages and immunoglobulins, which are essential antibodies.

Enzymes

Enzymes are protein molecules that regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates (sugar and starch), and fats. They act as catalysts for chemical reactions in the body. Supplemental enzymes are usually taken when the body's natural enzymes have trouble doing their job. Most commonly, they are used to aid in digestion when the enzymes in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine are unable to break down food into components that can pass through the wall of the intestine. Undigested food components that pass through the intestinal wall have been linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

BROMELAIN : is a naturally occurring enzyme derived from the pineapple plant. As a nutritional supplement, it is widely used to assist in the digestion of protein, to relieve painful menstruation, and to treat arthritis. It has also become a popular sports injury medicine, taken internally to reduce bruising, relieve pain and swelling, and promote wound healing. It can also be used externally, like papain, as a paste applied to stings to deactivate the protein molecules of insect venom. Reports have touted bromelain's immune-boosting properties as well. Typically it is taken with meals as a digestive aid, or thirty minutes before or ninety minutes after a meal to help treat sports injuries.

COENZYME Q10 (CoQ10): is a vitamin like compound, also known as ubiquinone, that occurs naturally in the body and is taken as a supplement to help activate the body's enzymes and thereby generate energy. It may help prevent or treat heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and obesity. CoQ10 is an antioxidant and immunity booster and may strengthen muscles and improve physical performance and endurance. It is taken to allow the body to adjust to higher altitudes and improve physical endurance. It has also demonstrated excellent results in clinical trials on periodontal disease by speeding up healing time, reducing gum pockets, and improving other factors associated with gum disease.

PAPAIN : is a naturally occurring enzyme derived from unripe papayas. It is the ingredient in meat tenderizers that softens meat by breaking down muscle tissue. As a supplement, it is taken internally as a digestive aid. It is also applied topically, after water is added to crushed tablets, to make a paste to relieve bites and stings. It works by breaking down the large protein molecules of insect vernom. The fruit papaya, is an wonderful digestion aid. Is is also very soothing to the stomach and digestive tract.