The nature of your health and what you are not only depends upon what you eat but also upon the ability of your digestive system to break down food into absorbable nutrients.

“The food we eat has an intimate relationship to the gastrointestinal tract and it would be expected that diet would play an important part in the development of gastrointestinal diseases,” states Benefits from Human Nutrition Research, a publication issued by the Human Nutrition Research Division, Agricultural Research, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “The diversity and magnitude of gastrointestinal disorders combine to place these diseases in a prominent position among the chronic infections occurring in man.”

Digestive Disorders: Impact and Prevalence in the U.S.

Among the digestive disorders is the inability of some people to utilize certain food constituents such as gluten and lactose. According to this government document, digestive diseases are widespread and are second to infectious and respiratory diseases in causes for work and school days lost. It is estimated that approximately 14 million Americans have or have had an ulcerative duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine). “Each day, it is estimated that 4 000 more individuals develop ulcers, and every year about 10 000 persons die of peptic ulcer complications,” reports the USDA study.

The proper functioning of the liver is closely related to diet.

Excessive accumulation of fat and cholesterol in the liver is considered an undesirable health state.”

Common Digestive Issues and Natural Remedies

Heartburn, haemorrhoids, constipation, bad breath, flatulence, and stomach upset are among the common digestive system ailments. These malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract can be corrected and prevented with natural nutrients and care.

Often overlooked, the mouth is actually the first organ of digestion.

This is where starch digestion begins. Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called ptyalin which converts starches into maltose and dextrin. Insufficient chewing of food will diminish starch digestion in the mouth and make further digestion of all food more difficult. This can set up the intestines for fermentation, constipation and other symptoms of faulty digestion.

The last five to six feet of the digestive tract is the large intestine or the colon.

Its main function, through peristaltic action, is to move faeces (digestive wastes) from the small intestine to the rectum for elimination.

Healthy bacterias are essential for healthy elimination.

As much as three pounds of bacteria may be found in the colon where they comprise 30 to 50 percent of the dry weight of the stool. “The bacteria in a healthy colon ideally should be at least 85% lactobacillus and no more than 15% coliform bacteria,” states James F. Balch, M.D., in his book Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Avery Publishing Group, 1990). “However, the typical colon bacteria count is the reverse (85% coliform bacteria and 15% lactobacillus), resulting in excessive gas, bloating, intestinal and systemic toxicity, constipation and malabsorption of nutrients.”

Halitosis (bad breath)

may also be one of the symptoms of a lack of sufficient lactobacilli, poor digestion, and deficient dental care. Good dental hygiene and replenishing friendly bacteria in the colon are important to overcome bad breath.

Flatulence (excessive gas)

may be another symptom of impaired digestion and elimination. “Gas can be produced by eating too rapidly and swallowing air with other food,” writes Patrick Quillin, Ph.D., R.D., in Healing Nutrients (Contemporary Books, 1987). “Remember, what produces gas is a very individual matter. Milk creates gas in many people because they are lactose intolerant. Lacking the enzyme to digest milk, their intestinal bacteria have a field day and produce flatus and distension in abundance.”

The importance of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus is stressed by Cass Igram, M.D

In his book Eat right or Die Young (Literary Visions, Inc., 1989). “They aid digestion, synthesize vitamins, decompose carcinogens and add to the bulk of the stool”.

“Your thoughts can affect your digestion,” advises Dr Igram.

“It’s important to have a healthy mental outlook. Digestive and intestinal disorders can have much of their origin in our minds. Stress has a profound effect upon the activity of the digestive glands. Anger, grief, depression, and worry disrupt digestion and thus alter body chemistry. Certain chemicals which have a direct effect on the muscular and skin cells lining the intestinal walls can be released from the brain. These substances cause an irritation which leads to nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, and colitis.”

The late Gayelord Hauser, an eminent nutritionist

always stressed it was a crime to eat while under any kind of tension. His guide to better digestion was, “Eat at your leisure, relaxed, and in a contented frame of mind. Eat serenely and slowly. Chew your food, divide it very finely and give the stomach juices opportunity to penetrate. When you eat, do not include great volumes of air. Drink slowly; do not gulp.” And if you are a chronic gas sufferer, “Try drinking through a straw.”

The nutritional guide to better digestion is to avoid

refined foods, fried foods, excess coffee, and soft drinks and to eat slowly and chew well. In addition, you will find a variety of digestive aids in natural/health food stores. Aged garlic extract eliminates gas as it neutralizes putrefactive toxins. If you have heartburn, you can determine if you need HCL by taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. If it makes your heartburn go away, you need more HCL. This is available as a betaine HCL supplement. Don’t use it if you have an ulcer. Most elderly people lack sufficient HCL for protein digestion in the stomach. For better intestinal digestion, pancreatin, papain (from the papaya), and bromelain (from pineapple) are of benefit. A daily multivitamin supplement containing B-complex vitamins is especially essential for a healthy digestive tract and proper food digestion.