Digestive Health
Proper digestion of food is crucial for your energy,
your resistance and your mental health
Digestion of Food
Various organs are involved in the digestion, whereby our food is processed into energy and useful building blocks in 24-48 hours, after which the waste leaves the body in the form of stool, via the rectum. Everything we eat needs to be broken down in the course of digestion to the smallest units suitable for absorption. Speed of throughput, enzymes, and the action of bacteria are all part of this delicate process.
SO MANY ORGANS? THAT IS ASKING FOR DIFFICULTIES?
Digestion process
It starts in the mouth, with saliva enzymes providing the initial hydrolysis of carbohydrates and proteins. After being transported through the esophagus to the stomach, the food is mixed with gastric juice. Hydrochloric acid and enzymes break down food in three hours and kill bacteria. The most important part of digestion takes place in the small intestine. The pancreas and gallbladder produce the necessary enzymes for this and the food is broken down into nutrients that enter the blood through the intestinal wall.
These nutrients enter the liver via the blood, which converts them into building blocks or into energy. The liver also makes bile acids. These bile acids are stored in the gallbladder and released to the small intestine when a lot of fatty foods are ingested. The pancreas produces pancreatic juice with digestive enzymes (carbohydrates, sugars, fats and protein breakdown). The pancreas also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which are released into the blood. These hormones regulate the metabolism of glucose, fats and proteins.
Food that cannot be digested is fermented in the large intestine by ‘good’ bacteria, which also ensure that harmful bacteria do not have a chance. Water and salts are extracted from the slurry. Ultimately, the remainder leaves our body through the rectum.
ACIDITY, ENZYMES, AND A STABLE MICROBIOME ARE ESSENTIAL
Imbalance in the digestive system
The functioning of the digestive system is under the direct influence of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (N. Vagus). In a weak vagus function, the digestion is insufficiently activated. The consequences are: too little stomach acid, too few enzymes and a limited mobility of the intestines. This causes putrefaction and fermentation, excessive production of toxic waste products, disruption of the microbiome, poor availability and absorption of nutrients, overload of the liver, etc. Harmful bacteria or yeasts (such as Candida) therefore have a greater chance of developing.
Most people with stomach acid complaints only have too high a production at times, but as a rule there is a shortage. This can be demonstrated by a simple gastric acid challenge test. This situation can worsen due to the use of gastric acid inhibitors, shortage of important nutrients, etc.
The questionnaires on “MyHealth” give you a quick insight into whether the body produces enough enzymes to make the small intestine work properly. To support the intervention, we offer Houston enzymes products. This portfolio offers superior support to accelerate the recovery of both the small and large intestines
The gut has its own immune system (GALT) that is very determinative for the immune function at the level of the skin and mucous membranes. Secondary complaints can easily arise, such as excessive mucus production and increased susceptibility to infection in the respiratory tract, in the genitourinary system or skin complaints. Various neurotransmitters are produced in the gut. The influence on the neuro-hormonal system is also clearly present. For example, all regulatory processes are closely and complexly interrelated.
We support you with various intestinal research methods, ranging from the classic stool examination (inflammation parameters) to a complete Microbiome Analysis in which we analyze specific microbes and determine where the problems are.
WE ARE GLAD TO EXPLAIN HOW GIVEN FUNCTIONING CAN BE DETERMINED WITH THE QUESTIONNAIRE IN THE MYHEALTH PLATFORM AND SUPPORTING ANALYTICAL TOOLS
We have various analysis methods for you to get an accurate picture of the health of your clients. The questionnaires in the MyHealth Platform provide you with additional tools to make an even better and more targeted diagnosis. Ask us about the options that suit you and your practice.
SEE WHICH OTHER REGULATION PROCESSES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH