Digestion
Syndromes:
- IBS
- Crohn's disease
- Chronic constipation
- Ulcers
- GERD
- Diarrhea
- Gas and bloating
Digestion is the core of naturopathic medicine. Our bodies are made up of what we digest, absorb and assimilate. If our digestion is poor, every cell in our body will suffer, conversely if our digestion isstrong every cell of our body will be strengthened.
Digestion begins the moments your senses perceive food. When you see or smell something that makes your mouth water digestion has already begun. It begins with saliva breaking down carbohydrates and sending messages to the stomach to up the HCL and get those pancreatic enzymes released. If you do not like the food you are eating, you are not fully present with the activity of eating or if you are under stress your digestive system will not work as well.
When choosing healthy foods to eat it is important to not only listen to your head for sound nutritional advice, but it is also very important to listen to you taste buds and stomach for what your body needs and is craving. The relationship between the yearnings and cravings of the stomach and the rational mind is much like parent and child. If you give into to every bad craving, your digestive system will become spoiled and it will become increasingly difficult to tell it no. If you train your digestive tract to appreciate good foods and reward it with treats it will be healthy and happy. If you completely ignore its yearnings and cravings and only feed it what you think it should be fed the natural instincts will be squashed. Our stomach does not only crave bad things,there are many wonderful things that it craves and these cravings should be listened to and rewarded.
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, GERD, occurs at the opening of the stomach. The stomach needs to have a very low pH to breakdown food, this acidic environement does not harm the stomach lining or small intestines. If any of that acid comesback up into the esphoagus is can cause a burning sensation. A Peptic Ulcer or gastric ulcer can also occur when the mucus barrier is not prevelant enough in these areas and the acid reaches the tissue and begins tobreak it down. H-Pylori is an organism that is often present in the case of ulcers and is most likely the cause. Botanicals such as demulcents, antivirals, astringents and digestive tonics are useful when treating these conditions.
Digestion is also affected by the mental and physical environment in which we eat. Hurried activity combined with stress from the surroundings causes the adrenergic nerves (control fright, flight or fight response to adrenaline) to take over. This sends more blood to the muscles and brain and shuts down the digestion. Whatever the type of job and it's stresses, working after a meal makes digestion difficult. A peaceful atmosphere helps put the cholinergic nerves (producing relaxation and improving digestion) in control. This moves the blood more to the gastrointestinal tract as the activity of digestive organs increases. A period of rest after a meal, the well-known siesta of many foreign lands, optimizes digestion. When the proper conditions are not possible cue to occupational demands, it is better to eat only as necessary. Foods requiring little digestion like soups,salads, or fruit should be consumed at these times. In some situations it may even be best to skip a meal, especially if loss of appetite, an upset stomach or nausea are already present.
The absorption of nutrients requires the adequate breakdown of whole foods. This digestive process is a series of steps that involve secretions form several different organs. The optimal function of each one is necessary to obtain the best digestion and prevent abdominal discomfort.
Digestion is completed in the small intestine where pancreatic enzymes are released that break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Just as digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth, so the digestion of protein starts in the stomach and fat breakdown is initiated by the gall bladder emptying into the small intestine. Insufficient proteindigestion may be caused by a lack of secretion of gastric acid. Incomplete breakdown of protein can lead to absorption of large molecules that trigger allergic reactions to food. Diminished bile from the gall bladder results in poorly emulsified oils and reduced digestion and absorption of essential fatty acids.
Some individuals react to particular foods, food additives, contaminants, or drugs to which they are sensitive. These reactions may be in the form of gastrointestinal allergies, intolerances, excessive intake of a particular substance, or as a result of inappropriate combinations. Besides avoiding the causes these cases can be aided by neutralizing irritations and improving digestive activity, as well as by using carminatives (agents that relax intestinal spasm).
Both inadequate breakdown of food and reactions to food can cause indigestion. The uncomfortable symptoms of functional dyspepsia
Constipation, gas, bloating, diarrhea, IBS, Crohn's disease,ulcerative colitis, candida, parasites, and are all symptoms of a poorly functioning digestive tract. A person should have one large well formed bowel movement for every large meal eaten approximately 24 hours after that meal has been eaten. Fruit takes much less time to digest and can be eaten heartily when the bowels become sluggish and should be avoided when they become too active.