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Without proper digestion, you lose the nutritional value of the foods you eat
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Author: Michelle Schoffro Cook, DAc, CNC, CITP |
Causes of poor digestion
1) Failure to chew properly: this is usually caused by eating too quickly. Because the rest of the digestive system depends on food being properly chewed, inadequate chewing may result in indigestion or other uncomfortable symptoms later.
2) Drinking large amounts of fluids with meals: drinking too much at mealtime dilutes the digestive secretions thereby reducing their efficiency. When food has been adequately broken down by the acid in the stomach, the stomach becomes slightly less acidic. This is a signal the body uses to inform the stomach that its job is done. Drinking with meals can improperly "trick" the stomach into "thinking" it has finished digestion because the fluids dilute the acid. This makes the stomach dump the food prematurely into the small intestines. The small intestines cannot perform the work of the stomach. Only the stomach can do the stomach's work.
3) Eating large and/or complex meals: the digestive system was not designed for many of the heavy and complex meals we eat. The larger the meal, the less likely the body can digest it properly. Also, consider what you may have learned in high school chemistry. Because proteins require an acid environment for digestion, mixing the two can neutralize the digestive juices required for each. The result: inadequate digestion.
4) Stress: emotional or mental stress impairs the function of the digestive system. That is why it is best not to eat when you are upset.
5) Late meals: because digestive processes lessen in the later part of the day, eating late can ensure that the body does not adequately digest meals. Some of the main problems with eating late include: weight gain, gas, heartburn, indigestion, and bloating.
6) Low stomach acid and/or digestive secretions: as we age, we tend to produce fewer digestive enzymes and less hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This inadequacy results in improper digestion or digestive problems, along with other health concerns such as allergies, gas, weight gain, and nutrient deficiencies.
7) Overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestines: harmful bacteria overgrowth impedes the healthy flora that are needed in the intestines to ensure proper nutrient absorption from food.
Tips to improve your digestion here
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By courtesy of Sheila Waters, Nutritional Consultant & Manager
Sangster's Health Centres
418-500 Country Hills Blvd NE, Calgary - Canada
Phone: (403)226-5910 Fax: (403)226-5912 www.sangsters.com | | | |
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