Healthy Digestion is the Foundation
To a Naturopath, efficient digestion is the cornerstone of health. “You are what you eat” and “you are what you don’t eliminate.” Digestion, absorption, and elimination are what builds the body, what fuels the metabolism and metabolic processes, and what creates the immune system.
Optimal digestion depends on adequate enzyme production in the stomach and small intestines, a healthy mucosal cell lining in the G.I. tract, proper assimilation, and elimination.
What is not broken down and absorbed must be eliminated from the G.I. tract and what is not eliminated or absorbed efficiently becomes a source of toxic waste for the body to deal with. Food may sit in the digestive tract too long when enzyme production is inadequate, absorption is inadequate, and transit time is too slow. As a result, the rotting food gradually becomes a source of irritation to the cells lining the digestive system. Inflammation can begin weakening the intestinal lining that normally maintains a barrier to keep large molecules from entering the blood stream. The term that has been used to describe this is “leaky gut syndrome.” As large food molecules make their way into the blood stream it becomes a stress on the immune system to break them down. These food proteins can stimulate the production of antibodies. An overproduction of antibodies has been hypothesized as a possible contributor to food allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Poor digestive function and overwhelmed liver function cause a cascade of problems and stress to other organ systems and functions in the body such as stress to the adrenal and thyroid glands which regulate metabolism, stress hormones, and blood sugar. An overactive immune system and excess proteins in the blood stream can create acidity which causes inflammation and contributes to problems like arthritis and heart disease.
Conditions that indicate the digestive system is impaired include heartburn or reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel, constipation/diarrhea, but also can be associated with other problems like inflammatory joint disease and allergies. Working on improving digestion, healing and strengthening the mucosal cells lining the digestive tract, and eating a diet that promotes good digestion and metabolism are some of treatment goals for almost any digestive complaint or condition. Optimizing digestive function and health will also prevent the chronic progression of many other disease processes.
So what supplements might be considered to support digestion?
Digestive enzymes are a good place to begin improving digestive function and health. The stomach uses primarily hydrochloric acid to begin the breakdown of primarily protein. Making an acid in the body that tightly regulates pH requires a huge amount of energy and biomolecular resources.
People who are depleted, consistently eat a poor diet, and have other health stresses are often deficient in HCL (hydrochloric acid). Inadequate HCL will cause food to sit in the stomach too long where it ferments and causes irritation to the stomach lining. This is one of the most common reasons for heartburn.
Lower abdominal bloating, cramping, and mild nausea are often symptoms of insufficient pancreatic enzymes. The small intestines use alkaline enzymes from the pancreas which complete the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. They are also natural anti-inflammatory support for the body.
If your digestive functions are compromised, consider this information with your healthcare practitioner. The sooner these issues are addressed, the sooner you can look forward to optimal digestion.
Dr. Lynn Mikel is a recently retired Bastyr-educated Naturopath in the South Puget Sound area where experience and education have helped her formulate individualized treatment approaches for clients for over 20 years. She can be reached at thermographysouthseattle. com for those interested in state-of-the-art breast thermometry.
