Digestion—our body’s unsung superhero! We eat, and in return, we get a whole package of perks: energy, better sleep, glowing skin, and even a boosted immune system (since 70% of it hangs out in our gut). But what really goes on behind the scenes? Let’s dive in.
A Quick Digestive Roadmap (You’ll Thank Me Later)
- Mouth: It all starts here, where we chew food into bits, and saliva jumps in with digestive enzymes to kickstart the breakdown.
- Esophagus: Next stop, the food tube! It moves your chewed-up meal into the stomach, where the real action begins. Stomach acid and enzymes from the pancreas step up to break down carbs, proteins, and fats.
- Liver & Gallbladder: The liver—your largest organ—produces bile to help digest fats and fat-soluble vitamins. The gallbladder, like a trusty sidekick, stores and releases bile as needed.
- Small Intestine: Nutrients pass through the intestinal wall here, getting absorbed into the bloodstream, fueling your body like premium gasoline.
- Large Intestine: What’s left? Water and fibre. The large intestine absorbs water, while gut bacteria ferment the fibre, eventually leaving the waste to… you know, exit stage left.
Why Does Digestion Go Haywire?
Digestion is a team effort between hormones, neurotransmitters, and muscles—all working in sync. The goal? To absorb nutrients and keep your body humming. But things can go south due to lifestyle choices, diet, or even stress. Let’s break down some common digestive glitches:
1. Acid Reflux:
Contrary to what you’d think, acid reflux is often due to low stomach acid, not too much. Undigested food starts fermenting, producing gas and pushing acid up. As we age, the valve between the stomach and esophagus weakens, making things worse. Oh, and popping antacids? Sure, they help short-term, but long term, they might mess with your digestion more than you’d like.
2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):
The causes of IBS are as elusive as finding your keys when you’re running late—stress, food intolerances, or even a wonky immune response can all play a role. Symptoms like bloating, gas, cramps, and bouts of diarrhoea or constipation dominate. And don’t forget the delightful extras: headaches, mood swings, and toxins being reabsorbed. Charming, right?
3. Leaky Gut:
A leaky gut is basically when the cells lining your intestines decide to play it loose, allowing bits of undigested food to slip into your bloodstream. Since food isn’t supposed to be floating around in your blood, your immune system goes on the offensive, causing food intolerances and a variety of symptoms like rashes, bloating, or even autoimmune conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
4. Food Allergies & Intolerances:
Food allergies can be a serious matter. Common offenders include nuts, soy, fish, and shellfish. When it’s serious, avoidance is the best tactic—your life literally depends on it. On the milder side, food intolerances like lactose intolerance (thanks to a lack of lactase) bring bloating, rashes, and general discomfort to the table.
5. Malabsorption:
Sometimes, your body struggles to absorb nutrients due to conditions like Crohn’s, celiac disease, or short bowel syndrome. The result? Fatigue, nutrient deficiencies, weight loss, and, well, unpleasant bathroom moments.
Ready to Heal Your Gut? Meet the Five R’s of Gut Health
If your digestion feels like it’s gone on vacation, fear not—there’s hope with the Five R’s strategy!
- Remove: First things first, get rid of what’s irritating your gut—whether that’s certain foods, stress, or inflammatory culprits. (Psst… a colonic might help, too!)
- Replace: Bring in digestive support. Low stomach acid? Enzymes are your new best friend. Ask us about stool samples if you want to dig deeper.
- Repair: Heal that gut lining with nutrients like glutamine, zinc, fish oil, and antioxidants. It’s like giving your gut a much-needed spa day.
- Reinoculate: Feed your gut with probiotics and prebiotics. Think kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir—basically, gut-friendly superstars.
- Rebalance: Get out in nature, take a walk, sleep better, and eat whole foods. And don’t forget to manage stress—because your gut feels it!
Immunity-boosting Turmeric and Carrot Soup
Here’s a ‘Brucie bonus’ save this handy recipe card, this gorgeous gut-friendly soup only takes 20 minutes to make, this recipe will serve 4 people and has just 10 ingredients! Health benefits of turmeric includes:
- Health benefits of turmeric :
- May reduce inflammation
- May improve memory
- May help delay
- May support the immune system
- Can potentially reduce pain
- Fights free radicals
- May support heart health
- May help with depression
So there you have it—your digestive system in all its complicated, fascinating glory. Treat it well, and it’ll keep everything running as smoothly as… well, you get the idea!
Take Care Helen, let me know if you enjoy the soup!