Unlocking the Mysteries of Digestion and Mindful Eating
Our digestive system is like a finely tuned machine. It's responsible for taking the food we eat, breaking it down both mechanically and chemically into teeny-tiny particles, and then sending these particles into our intestines, where the real magic happens. That magic involves absorbing all the good stuff our body needs and saying goodbye to the waste.
But here's the thing – if something goes wrong in this process, it can throw a wrench in the works. Imagine your body as a factory, and digestion is one of the most important assembly lines. When this assembly line gets disrupted, it can lead to imbalances with your energy levels, your immune system, your body's ability to clean itself out, and even your overall health.
So, here's a question: do you ever wonder if your body is doing this whole digestion thing effectively? How can you tell?
Let's talk about something called an "underactive stomach.". Your stomach is like a chemical factory, and it loves acidic conditions. Acid plays a vital role in various aspects of digestion:
Acid helps break down proteins into essential amino acids – these are like the building blocks of your body.
It gives a little nudge to your pancreas, gallbladder, and small intestine, telling them to produce digestive enzymes and bile. These help further break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in your food.
Acid keeps the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in check, ensuring it closes tightly. If this doesn't happen, it can lead to GERD, which can be pretty uncomfortable.
Acid is essential for your stomach to empty its contents properly into the small intestine.
Acid also is required to sterilize the stomach, killing any bacteria or yeast that might hitch a ride with your food.
And let's not forget, it's crucial for absorbing specific micronutrients, like minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and boron.
Now, when we say "underactive stomach," what we mean is that your stomach isn't producing enough of this acid, also known as hydrochloric acid or HCL. This can mess with your ability to digest proteins properly, which can have some serious digestive and intestinal imbalances.
When you're not digesting proteins well, it can lead to issues like elevated cortisol levels – that's your body's stress hormone. This, in turn, can cause your blood glucose levels to spike and disrupt your mood and temperament.
So, the next time you sit down for a meal, remember that your body is orchestrating a complex symphony of digestive processes. And when things are out of tune, it's worth paying attention. Being mindful of how your body is working and making choices that support your digestion can go a long way in keeping you feeling your best!
Factors that can affect the production of stomach acid:
· Overuse of over-the-counter antacids
· Chronic stress
· A poor diet of processed foods
· Eating too quickly
· Overuse of antibiotics and common painkillers
· Food sensitivities
Common Symptoms and imbalances caused by low stomach acid:
· Bloating, belching and flatulence immediately after meals
· Heartburn
· Indigestion
· Diarrhea and/or constipation
· Undigested food in stools
· Acne
· Chronic candidiasis
· Hair loss in women
· Multiple food allergies
· Iron deficiency
· Chronic fatigue
· Adrenal fatigue
· Dry skin
· Various autoimmune diseases
Recommendations to increase stomach acid:
· Add apple cider vinegar to the diet.
· Greatly reduce or eliminate sugar from the diet as it’s mineral-depleting.
· Supplement the diet with HCL with pepsin to help repair the GI tract, address leaky gut,
help fight acid reflux and improve low stomach acid.
· Add fermented foods.
· Eliminate processed foods and take digestive enzyme supplements at each meal.
· Chew food thoroughly and eat smaller meals.
· Eat in a calming environment and relax around mealtimes.