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Healthy Digestion
- An Overview
Most of the
foods we eat are simply too large to be absorbed into our cells. The food
molecules are therefore broken down by the process of digestion, the organs
that collectively perform this function comprising the digestive system.
The digestive
system extends from the mouth to the . It consists of the gastro-intestinal
tract and its appendage organs, e.g. salivary glands, the liver and gallbladder,
and the pancreas.
Digestion
occurs as a result of both physical and chemical processes. The physical
changes of food are brought about by grinding, crushing, and mixing the
food mass (chyme) with digestive juices during propulsion through the
digestive tract. The digestive juices are responsible for the chemical
breakdown of chyme. The active compounds in the digestive juices are primarily
enzymes.
The small
intestine participates in all aspects of digestion, absorption, and transport
of ingested materials. It secretes a variety of digestive and protective
substances as well as receiving the secretions of the pancreas, liver
and gallbladder.
The pancreas
produces enzymatic secretions required for the digestion and absorption
of food. Each day the pancreas secretes about 2 ½ pints (1 ½
liters) of pancreatic juice into the small intestine. Enzymes secreted
include lipases which digest fat, proteases which digest proteins, and
amylases which digest starch molecules.
The most
effective way to approach disorders in digestion is to strengthen the
body’s natural ability to digest food. Often the digestive system
can be sabotaged by using added enzymes, laxatives and excess fiber. These
can act like a “crutch” and actually cause the body to become
weaker in this area. Examples of foods which support this process are
papaya, spearmint, peppermint, ginger and other natural foods. Although
it is helpful to eat foods like this at a meal, it is often difficult
to do this. When these foods are available in concentrated form in a capsule,
they can be eaten more easily and more often.
If the body
does not respond to this natural approach quickly enough a suitable alternative
to the use of antacids in the treatment of indigestion is the use of herbal
bitters. Bitters are believed to work by stimulating digestion as a result
of activating the bitter-taste receptors on the tongue. Stimulation of
bitter-taste receptors activates a number of digestive processes including
the secretion of digestive juices.
If necessary
in the beginning stages or on a continuing basis if the problem persists
digestion may be improved by using digestants, which by definition are
compounds which aid in digestive function. Commonly used digestants include
hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzyme preparations.
Pancreatin
refers to preparations of pancreatic enzymes isolated from fresh hog pancreas.
Pancreatin is most often employed in the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency
characterized by impaired digestion, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies
and abdominal discomfort.
Bromelain,
the protein digesting enzyme found in pineapple, is useful as an aid to
protein digestion. Bromelain is quite effective as a substitute for pancreatic
enzymes in the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency, but best results
are obtained if it is use in combination with pancreatin and ox bile.
Papain is
a protein-digesting enzyme isolated from the unripe papaya fruit. It is
often used alone and in formulas as a digestive aid.
Proper digestion
is a requirement for optimum health, and incomplete or disordered digestion
can be a major contributor to the development of many diseases. The problem
is not only that ingestion of foods and nutritional substances are of
little benefit when breakdown and assimilation are inadequate, but also
that incompletely digested food molecules can be inappropriately absorbed
into the systemic circulation. This can lead to various diseases and the
development of food allergies.
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno. Prima
Publishing, Rocklin, CA. (C) 1991. Pages 50-56
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