Colon health is something that’s rarely considered until there’s a problem with it. Like your septic system, you aren’t aware of it till it backs up. We’re usually more aware when on vacation and traveling with changes in diet and routines. This is when the dreaded constipation can ruin a good vacation.
The function and health of the upper gastrointestinal tract from your mouth to the large intestine determines the function and health of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
When we mess with digestion and hydration, the small and large intestines eventually pay the price with upset bacterial balance, polyps, and potential cancer.
In my practice I find it critical to inquire about bathroom habits. The frequency, consistency, color, and size of stool tells much about the overall health of the person. Having good bowel habits from youth has the potential of avoiding many pitfalls of poor health.
When digestion is incomplete, we can see fermentation of carbohydrates, putrefaction of proteins, and rancidification of fats. Each of these create different health challenges. Fermentation begins when carbohydrate digestion is incomplete and the starches then ferment with alcohol and carbon dioxide being the end product. This can, over time create cirrhosis and fatty liver.
Fermentation is initiated when the salivary glands are bypassed by eating rapidly and washing food down with a beverage instead of getting mixed thoroughly with the enzyme ptyalin. This enzyme is responsible for the initial breakdown of starch into a simple carbohydrate like maltose. This is then further digested in the small intestine with enzymes from the pancreas. Gas and bloating can be the result of not fully chewing your food. This in turn can lead to problems like candida.
Putrefaction occurs when proteins aren’t acted on by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid is responsible for activating pepsin, the enzyme responsible for breaking proteins down into a form which can also be acted on by pancreatic enzymes. When this fails to be completed, due to low stomach acid, often complicated by use of antacids, incomplete protein breakdown is the result. Antacids are often resorted to when putrefaction creates corrosive acids from protein consumed, setting up heartburn and reflux. Unfortunately, the use of these drugs sets up further corrosive acids in the stomach and greater putrefaction in the intestines.
Rancidification occurs when fats fail to be properly digested and utilized by the system for fuel. The first step in proper fat digestion is emulsification. This is initiated by bile, which is stored in the gallbladder until signaled by the stomach to be released into the small intestine with the food from the stomach. This bile initiates the digestion of the fats consumed. Without this, fats fail to be properly used in the body and can result in rancidification. Bile not only aids in fat metabolism, but is critical to prevent inflammatory bowel disease.
Removal of the gallbladder, a common surgery today, leaves the patient with compromised fat digestion, and impaired metabolism. Unfortunately, diets which involve too much sugar or alcohol will eventually create fatty liver and often leads to the unwanted gallbladder surgery. Bile acts upon the bowel as a lubricant, antibiotic, pH regulator, and detoxifier.
Bile acids have been used therapeutically since ancient times by many cultures. It’s been used in the treatment of gallstones, infectious skin diseases, burns, vision and eye conditions, respiratory infections, coma, and even epilepsy. It plays a part in regulating metabolism and neurological function. Besides this, it is critical for the absorption of vitamin D.
Maintaining the system in good health isn’t about what drugs are needed for a specific condition, but what nutrients are lacking as witnessed by the normal function of our organs. Often times, the organs of elimination are ignored until they are screaming at us. Production of hydrochloric acid is dependent on hydrogen in our system. Although our air consists of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, we need the hydrogen which can be releases as the body uses the oxygen for combusting calories. Since water is comprised of two hydrogens and one oxygen, this is one of the most efficient ways of obtaining this critical nutrient.
To remain healthy in all areas, drink your water and be aware of creating good bowel habits.
The function and health of the upper gastrointestinal tract from your mouth to the large intestine determines the function and health of the lower gastrointestinal tract.
When we mess with digestion and hydration, the small and large intestines eventually pay the price with upset bacterial balance, polyps, and potential cancer.
In my practice I find it critical to inquire about bathroom habits. The frequency, consistency, color, and size of stool tells much about the overall health of the person. Having good bowel habits from youth has the potential of avoiding many pitfalls of poor health.
When digestion is incomplete, we can see fermentation of carbohydrates, putrefaction of proteins, and rancidification of fats. Each of these create different health challenges. Fermentation begins when carbohydrate digestion is incomplete and the starches then ferment with alcohol and carbon dioxide being the end product. This can, over time create cirrhosis and fatty liver.
Fermentation is initiated when the salivary glands are bypassed by eating rapidly and washing food down with a beverage instead of getting mixed thoroughly with the enzyme ptyalin. This enzyme is responsible for the initial breakdown of starch into a simple carbohydrate like maltose. This is then further digested in the small intestine with enzymes from the pancreas. Gas and bloating can be the result of not fully chewing your food. This in turn can lead to problems like candida.
Putrefaction occurs when proteins aren’t acted on by hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid is responsible for activating pepsin, the enzyme responsible for breaking proteins down into a form which can also be acted on by pancreatic enzymes. When this fails to be completed, due to low stomach acid, often complicated by use of antacids, incomplete protein breakdown is the result. Antacids are often resorted to when putrefaction creates corrosive acids from protein consumed, setting up heartburn and reflux. Unfortunately, the use of these drugs sets up further corrosive acids in the stomach and greater putrefaction in the intestines.
Rancidification occurs when fats fail to be properly digested and utilized by the system for fuel. The first step in proper fat digestion is emulsification. This is initiated by bile, which is stored in the gallbladder until signaled by the stomach to be released into the small intestine with the food from the stomach. This bile initiates the digestion of the fats consumed. Without this, fats fail to be properly used in the body and can result in rancidification. Bile not only aids in fat metabolism, but is critical to prevent inflammatory bowel disease.
Removal of the gallbladder, a common surgery today, leaves the patient with compromised fat digestion, and impaired metabolism. Unfortunately, diets which involve too much sugar or alcohol will eventually create fatty liver and often leads to the unwanted gallbladder surgery. Bile acts upon the bowel as a lubricant, antibiotic, pH regulator, and detoxifier.
Bile acids have been used therapeutically since ancient times by many cultures. It’s been used in the treatment of gallstones, infectious skin diseases, burns, vision and eye conditions, respiratory infections, coma, and even epilepsy. It plays a part in regulating metabolism and neurological function. Besides this, it is critical for the absorption of vitamin D.
Maintaining the system in good health isn’t about what drugs are needed for a specific condition, but what nutrients are lacking as witnessed by the normal function of our organs. Often times, the organs of elimination are ignored until they are screaming at us. Production of hydrochloric acid is dependent on hydrogen in our system. Although our air consists of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, we need the hydrogen which can be releases as the body uses the oxygen for combusting calories. Since water is comprised of two hydrogens and one oxygen, this is one of the most efficient ways of obtaining this critical nutrient.
To remain healthy in all areas, drink your water and be aware of creating good bowel habits.
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