How to Support Your Digestive System Naturally
Proper Digestion is Fundamental to Your Health
The digestive system is considered a north to south process, beginning in the brain and continuing through the large intestines.
Every cell that makes up every organ depends on proper digestion to provide nutrients to your body to support its function. The goal of digestion is breakdown food to such small particles that your body can utilize it for energy (ATP) (1).
Although proper digestion is fundamental to overall health, many suffer from digestive dysfunction. Why is this?
Read further to understand the digestive process and ways to support your digestive system as a whole (1).
The Digestion Process
The three major organs of the digestive system fundamental to nutritional therapy are:
the Pancreas
the Stomach
the Gallbladder
The entire digestive system is composed of many parts that work together.
The Brain: Digestion is a north to south process. It begins in the brain (from the onset of sight, smell or touch of food). This triggers your salivary glands (in your mouth) to begin producing saliva.
The Mouth: The mouth is your body’s first point of entry for food. This where the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food begins. The digestion of carbohydrates also begins in the mouth, by the enzyme salivary amylase.
The Stomach: Once food is chewed, food enters the stomach as bolus. The stomach is responsible for the continual breakdown of bolus and turns it into chyme. The stomach also secretes HCL, necessary for proper breakdown of protein and kills off parasites and bacteria. Many do not secrete enough HCL, therefore suffering from heartburn, bloating, and discomfort.
The Small Intestine: Chyme from the stomach enters the small intestine, where other enzymes are secreted including bile and pancreatic juices. Bile (released in the gallbladder) is necessary for digestion in order to emulsify and absorb fats at an optimal level, while pancreatic juices aid in digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Large Intestine: The last area of the body where nutrients can be absorbed. The large intestine converts these to vitamins the body can use when necessary.
Ways to Improve Digestion
Here are key areas to focus on to optimally support your digestive system.
Chew : The act of chewing is crucially important for the process of the digestion. Chewing allows our body to register food is entering. Without proper chewing, the body is unable to prepare for digestion, and the production of saliva, hydrochloric acid, pancreatic juices and digestive enzymes is impaired.
Breathe: The digestive process works best when the body is in a parasympathetic state (calm and relaxed). Before eating, taking a few slow breaths can greatly enhance your body’s ability to digest food properly.
Hydrate: Proper hydration is critical for moving nutrients thoroughly through the digestive tract. Stay hydrated throughout the day can be very beneficial. However, it is best to avoid liquids while eating to ensure gastric juices are not diluted.
The digestive process is critical for the health of the body. Through proper understanding of how the digestive system works and the necessary ways to support it, you are better able to get the most out of what you ate.
*This information isn’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease, nor is it medical advice
Reference:
Nutritional Therapy (2019). NTP Module 4: Digestion and Elimination. Nutritional Therapy Association. pg. 1-55.
