Originally published August 24 2014
4 reasons your digestion Is ruined and what you can do about It
by Derek Henry
(NaturalNews) Digestive issues could quite possibly be the biggest reason for many of the ailments people suffer from today. Processed foods, chemicals, GMO's, prescriptions, and stress often initiate the issues, and once those things are cleaned up, many people still seem to suffer from improper digestion.
It turns out, there are four core reasons why your digestion is not working properly, and there are many things you can do about it.
Poor chewing
Digestion begins the minute food hits your mouth. As you chew, you mechanically break down your food and alkaline enzymes are secreted from the salivary and parotid glands, which begin to break down the food (like starches) chemically.
Most people chew their food between seven and fourteen times, where Westchester University of Pennsylvania suggests chewing your food thirty to fifty times per mouthful in order to mix the food with saliva properly for optimal digestion.
As a result of poor chewing habits, food is not broken down properly in the first stage of digestion, which makes it more difficult for the second stage to be properly performed.
Low stomach acid
Once you swallow, food is quickly moved through the esophagus and lands in the stomach, where it is stored, liquefied, and processed by acidic gastric juices. The stomach releases enzymes (pepsinogens) and hydrochloric acid to reduce proteins to medium sized fragments called polypeptides.
Unfortunately, low stomach acid can cause a lot of pain like acid reflux, and many other digestive complaints. Extended periods of low chronic stress, processed foods, poor food combining, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, anti-acid use, Candida, and drinking cold water at meals can all create low stomach acid.
To increase stomach acid, try drinking an ounce of apple cider vinegar shortly before a meal, and eliminate all the culprits that lower it.
Impaired pancreatic function
Once the stomach breaks down the food, it passes into the small intestine where it is met with an intense secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. These enzymes neutralize acids and break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Refined and sugary foods, excessive toxins, pasteurization, cooking, and excessive amounts of alcohol will overtax the pancreas, and it will not function properly. To increase your enzyme levels, choose raw, fresh produce and fermented foods like sauerkraut.
Improperly functioning liver
Another essential component to digestion is bile, which is produced by the cells of the liver. It performs two important functions.
First, bile helps to eliminate unfiltFirst, bile helpsoverloerable breakdown products from the blood before they are passed to the kidneys. Second, bile neutralizes stomach acid and helps ease the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins. If the liver is overloaded with toxins or has stored too much glucose, the canals on the gall bladder become compressed, which decreases bile flow and impairs digestion.
An overloaded and swollen liver reduces blood flow from the abdominal and pelvic regions, which can result in blood pooling, which can putrefy and cause all sorts of problems like hemorrhoids, bowel irritation, and more. Once the liver is unable to dilute toxins to keep the blood clean, the digestive system becomes exhausted.
To increase liver function, avoid processed foods, alcohol, and chemicals in all forms as much as possible. Consider liver healing foods and herbs like beets, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, turmeric, avocados, sauerkraut, kefir, milk thistle, artichoke leaf, dandelion leaf, and reishi.
To see if your liver is functioning properly, check out the first two sources below.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.healingthebody.ca
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com
http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com
Trivieri, Larry. Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide. Ed. John W. Anderson. 2nd ed. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002.
http://www.branchbasics.com" target="_blank">http://www.branchbasics.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/023161_pancreas_h... http:="" http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com" target="_blank">http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/035946_liver_clea... target="_blank">http://www.naturalnews.com
About the author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn't solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results under their own direction.
Find' target='_blank'>http://www.healingthebody.ca/holistic-health... out how you can reverse disease and thrive with a holistic approach.
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn't solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results under their own direction.
Find out how you can reverse disease and thrive with a holistic approach.
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