I get run across digestive issues with the majority of people that I see. It is a very common problem that, if not understood and remedied, will sabotage your weight loss and health program. I am going to give you some basic things to look for and some of my remedies for fixing the problems.
Death Begins in the Colon
It has been often stated that “death begins in the colon.” This is true, if we cannot digest food, extract the nutrition and get it to where it needs to be, we are on a short trip to…somewhere bad.
Digestion is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, selling area of drugs.
Death begins in the colon. Poor digestive health starts the erosion of health towards dying and death. However, few people realize how connected the digestive system is with the brain. Poor digestion = poor brain function. Poor brain function means that you get old faster!
The Sad Facts of Digestion
- Prevalence: 60 to 70 million people affected by all digestive diseases (1996)
- Number of non-institutionalized adults with diagnosed ulcers: 14.5 million
- Mortality: 234,000 deaths, including deaths from cancer (2002)
- Hospitalizations: 14 million—9 percent (2002)
- Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures: 6 million—14 percent of all of all inpatient hospitalization procedures (2002)
- Ambulatory care visits: 45 million (1999–2000)
- Disability: 1.9 million people (1990–1992)
- Costs: $107,000 billion (1992).
- 18.9 million non-institutionalized adults were diagnosed with digestive disorders annually in the US 2001 (Summary Health Statistics for US Adults, 2001, NCHS, CDC)
- 9.3% of non-institutionalized adults were diagnosed with digestive disorders annually in the US 2001 (Summary Health Statistics for US Adults, 2001, NCHS, CDC)
Three Classes of Foods
There are only three classes of foods that need to be digested. All the body’s necessary nutrients are covered with digestion of these three. All of the body’s deficiencies come from not handling one or more of these classes.
- Proteins
- Fats and Oil
- Carbohydrates
I am going to give you some signs and symptoms to look for that may indicate the failure to digest each and all of the above.
Proteins:
Proteins are broken down in the stomach in the presence of stomach acid. The stomach needs to be very acid for this to work correctly. Taking antacids wreaks havoc to the ability of your stomach to digest food.
(In a future I will explain how acid reflux, heart burn and acid indigestion are really caused by too little stomach acid and NOT by too much acid as is commonly thought.) With too little acid in the stomach the protein will not break down and will putrefy (rot). Yuck! This leads to SMELLY GAS, ACID REFLUX and HEART BURN. NOTE: Food allergies are due to proteins not being broken down. Eating antacids leads to a greater food allergy risk. You can greatly improve food tolerance by fixing this aspect of digestion.
Fats and Oils:
Fats and oils are handled by the gall bladder and the bile that is stored there. Bile breaks down the fats so that they can be digested. It also aids in the extraction of fat soluble vitamins from our foods. What are the fat soluble vitamins you ask? Vitamin A, D, E, K. Vitamin D deficiencies are quite popular in the medical community right now. A slow or sluggish gall bladder (or a removed gall bladder) will contribute to this. Signs and symptoms of gall bladder are NAUSEA and BURPING IMMEDIATELY AFTER MEALS. NOTE: If you have had your gall bladder removed, you have a permanent disability in your digestive system that needs life-long support.
Carbohydrates:
Carbohydrate metabolism would include sugars (you’re supposed to be avoiding these J), starches and vegetables. Carbs are sugars, whether simple or complex, and when the body’s ability to break down sugars is compromised the sugars begin to ferment giving off gas. The symptom of not breaking down carbs is GAS (not the smelly kind). Constipation can also be linked to poor carbohydrate digestion.
Gut-Brain Connection:
As I mentioned earlier there is a well-established connection between the gut and the brain. The mesencephalon of the brain (the brain stem) is where control of digestion action occurs. A poorly functioning brainstem will contribute to poor coordination of digestion including the release of enzymes. The gut, in turn, when it is irritated by the eating of unfit foods, allergic foods, too little stomach acid, etc. will become inflamed and leaky (meaning that it will let things pass from the gut to the blood stream that should be there) and this in turn will have a direct impact on the brain.
How do I Know What is the Problem?
Proper identification of what is the cause of your symptom is crucial – you have to get to the source. A doctor who practices Functional Neurology is best equipped to identify and work with you on the neurological and metabolic issues. If you don’t know a good one, perhaps I can help. Contact my office at (303) 758-0380.
Happy Digesting!