Digestive Care Advisor Training #1 & H.O.P.E.
The Digestive System in Brief
The Process of Digestion The human digestive system is a complex series of organs and glands that process food and excrete waste. In order to use the food we eat, our body has to break down food into smaller molecules that it can process and utilize. - 3 -
The Digestive System The digestive system is essentially a long, twisting tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. The stomach and intestines contain the food as it makes its way through the body. It also includes the liver and pancreas which produce and store digestive chemicals. - 4 -
The Mouth The digestive process begins when we think about food or smell food; we start to salivate and the saliva contains salivary enzymes. Food is partly broken down by the process of chewing and by the chemical action of salivary enzymes. These enzymes are produced by the salivary glands and break down starches into smaller molecules. Most people do not chew long enough for the salivary amylase to have any effect. - 5 -
The Esophagus After being chewed and swallowed, the food enters the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach. It uses rhythmic, wave-like muscle movements (called peristalsis) to force food from the throat into the stomach. - 6 -
The Esophagus It takes approximately 11 seconds for the food to move from the mouth to the stomach. At the lower end of the esophagus, is a one-way valve called the esophageal sphincter, it prevents the backsplash of stomach contents upward into the esophagus. For many people this valve does not work very well, which is one of the main causes of heartburn. - 7 -
The Stomach The stomach is basically a storage tank. It is about 25cm long and can hold up to 4 litres of food at a time. It churns and mixes up food, breaking it down into smaller pieces. Along the lining of the stomach there are gastric pits which release gastric juice made up of hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen and mucus. - 8 -
Hydrochloric Acid Most people think that the purpose of hydrochloric acid is to break down food but its job is to kill microorganisms, lower the stomach ph, activate pepsinogen and make certain nutrients more soluble. Hydrochloric acid is secreted through the parietal cells of the stomach. However, before HCl can be secreted and start digesting food, a few other things must happen: Peptides, found primarily in protein, cause gastrin to be secreted by the G-cells, which are a type of cell found in the stomach and duodenum. The G-cells secrete gastrin and the presence of gastrin then stimulates the release of histamine. Finally, the histamine stimulates the parietal cells to begin secreting HCl. - 9 -
Chyme When the partially digested food and acid get mixed in the stomach, it is called chyme. Chyme slowly passes through the pyloric valve at the bottom end of the stomach and into the duodenum. This is where the extraction of nutrients begins. Depending on the contents of the meal and the quantity of food, the stomach will break down the food into chyme anywhere between 40 minutes and a few hours. - 10 -
The Small Intestine After being in the stomach, food enters the duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine. The duodenum is the longest section of the digestive tract at over 6 meters long. From the duodenum, food enters the jejunum and then the ileum (the final part of the small intestine). In the small intestine, bile, pancreatic enzymes, and other digestive enzymes produced by the inner wall of the small intestine, help in the breakdown of food. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. - 11 -
Enzymes Complex carbohydrates (also called polysaccharides or starches) are broken down by amylase. Carbohydrates are broken down into Disaccharides (maltose, lactose, and sucrose) and Monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, and galactose). Proteins are broken down into individual amino acids by protease. Fats or lipids are broken down into glycerol and fatty acids by lipase. - 12 -
The Small Intestine The entire small intestine is lined with an elaborate set of muscles which are never at complete rest. These muscles continually contract and move contents through the small intestine and colon, like a conveyor belt. The walls of the small intestine are covered with billions of microscopic finger-like projections called microvilli. They increase the absorptive surface by an estimated 600%. It is here that nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. Each villi contains a lymph vessel that is surrounded by capillaries. These vessels are the connecting passageways in the body between the blood and the tissues. It is how nutrients and oxygen are brought to individual cells. - 13 -
The Colon After passing through the small intestine, food passes into the colon. It is also called the large intestine because of its wider diameter. The colon is about 1.5m long and there is little nutrient absorption that happens here. Its main job is to absorb the excess water from the intestinal waste and recycle it back into the bloodstream, similar to a water treatment plant. As the liquid waste moves along, it dries and forms stool which is then excreted. This helps to explain why a lot of people who are constipated are also dehydrated. - 14 -
Take Care of Your Digestive System Now that you have a better understanding of the digestive system, you can take steps to make the most of it. Slow down and enjoy your meals. Savour the sight, smell and taste of your food. Chew thoroughly (approximately 32-33 times before swallowing). Avoid eating in front of the TV, especially the evening news, which can be stressful. If you are having problems digesting, consider supplementing with digestive enzymes. - 15 -
H.O.P.E. H.O.P.E. the Cornerstones of Good Digestive Health
We All Need H.O.P.E. H.O.P.E. is the basic foundation for good health. It consists of four elements we need daily to ensure that the digestive system and other bodily functions are working at optimal levels. - 17 - H.O.P.E.
High Fibre Sufficient fibre intake is vital for good health. The body requires 30-40 grams of fibre per day. The average person only consumes approximately 10 grams. Fibre is used by the body for many important functions: Improves bowel movements Strengthens and tones the bowel Optimizes nutrient absorption Gathers toxins for elimination from the body Lowers cholesterol - 18 - H.O.P.E.
High Fibre There are two types of fibre; soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre works like a sponge to absorb toxins and excess cholesterol from the body. Insoluble fibre works like a scrub brush to clean the intestinal tract and colon of toxic material. These fibres (along with the toxins they have gathered and absorbed) are eliminated by the body through the colon. - 19 - H.O.P.E.
Omega Oils Oils from raw nuts, seeds and fish are an abundant source of Essential Fatty Acids (also known as EFA s). Essential Fatty Acids are called such because they are essential to life. The body does not produce these EFA s on its own and they must be consumed from food sources (examples include flax seeds and borage seeds). EFA s are used in almost every process within the body. They are also a vital component of every cell in the body. Based on this fact alone, ensuring optimal levels of essential fatty acids is vital for good health. - 20 - H.O.P.E.
Omega Oils EFA s play an important role in many key functions including: Brain function Cellular reproduction Healthy skin and hair Hormone production Lubrication of the colon Neurotransmissions throughout the body Reducing inflammation Reducing risk of chronic disease - 21 - H.O.P.E.
Probiotics The term probiotic means supporting life. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that the body requires. While there are hundreds of different strains of bacteria that live in the digestive tract, two of the most prevalent types of beneficial bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These bacteria (as well as others) are normal inhabitants of the large and small intestine. In order for good health to be possible, there needs to be a balance between good and bad bacteria. In many people, this balance does not exist and there is an overabundance of bad bacteria. In order to achieve balance, probiotic supplementation is necessary. - 22 - H.O.P.E.
Probiotics Probiotics play an important role in: A healthy digestive system Controlling an overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungus (such as candida / yeast) Improving gastrointestinal functions Inhibiting the growth of pathogenic organisms Respiratory and allergy responses Supporting the immune system Vitamin production Nutrient absorption - 23 - H.O.P.E.
Enzymes Enzymes are essential to almost every function in the body. Digestive enzymes are required to ensure the proper breakdown and utilization of the nutrients contained in food. The proper breakdown of food is essential not only for the absorption of nutrients, but also to ensure that the by-products of food are eliminated by the body. When food is not properly eliminated, it sits in the body and ferments, producing toxic material that enters the bloodstream. These toxins cause damage to all areas of the body and are a leading cause of chronic diseases, such as arthritis. - 24 - H.O.P.E.
Enzymes As we age, our natural production of enzymes declines. This leads to a number of health problems such as: Declining energy Gas & bloating Heartburn Increased allergies to food Increased inflammation Increased rate of bone loss Increased risk of chronic disease Indigestion Poor liver function Poor nutrient absorption - 25 - H.O.P.E.
Digestive Care Advisor Training #1 Thank You for your time & involvement!