Digestion affects your energy level, ability to heal yourself and the likelihood of developing permanent health disorders. With so much at stake, you would think every adult would be fully aware of the digestion process.
Lack of knowledge leads millions suffering from digestive disorders to hospitals every year. I’m going to give you a glimpse into this complex system and help you spot where your digestive health may need a little help.
There are four major processes in digestion.
- Ingestion
- Digestion
- Absorption
- Excretion
Ingestion
Chewing secretes saliva, making food moist and easy to swallow. Once you swallow, an involuntary muscle contraction called peristalses pushes food down the esophagus.
At the entrance to the stomach a ring-like muscle named the lower esophageal sphincter opens to allow food in and then closes to stop the food from coming back up the esophagus.
Digestion
There are two types of digestion: mechanical and chemical. Mechanical digestion is the physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces through chewing and churning in the stomach and intestines.
Chemical digestion occurs at the same time. For chemical digestion to happen, secretion takes place. Six major secretions aid digestion.
- Saliva – moistens food and begins the breakdown of carbohydrates
- Mucus – protects the stomach and intestinal lining from the corrosive actions of stomach acid
- Gastric acid – activates digestive enzymes that break down proteins into amino acids
- Enzymes – separates large molecules into smaller components
- Pancreatic juice – processes fats, carbs, and proteins
- Bile – dissolves fat into tiny globules for easy digestion
Absorption
Once food is broken into chemical components, it is ready for absorption. The majority of absorption takes place in the densely folded walls of the small intestine. Blood vessels pick up molecules from the food and carry them to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. Blood cells work hard to carry oxygen, antibodies, nutrients, and water throughout your body.
Excretion
Your colon is responsible for the final phase of digestion. Excess water is absorbed from the digested food to re-hydrate your body. This re-absorption has an added effect of firming up the liquid waste into the right consistency for elimination.
Occasionally too much water is absorbed and fecal matter becomes hard and dry. This is constipation. Over time this dried matter sticks to the colon wall creating a thick layer of toxic waste that can’t be eliminated normally.
Once this happens, the body suffers from auto-intoxication. After every meal your colon tries to absorb water, but now the water has to go through old, dried fecal matter first. This means your body is recycling toxins from fecal matter back into your bloodstream instead of eliminating them.
Common symptoms of a toxic colon include the following:
- Chronic constipation
- Abdominal gas and bloating/indigestion
- Stomach aches
- Chronic acne/blemishes or dark circles under the eyes
- Frequent colds/flus and infections
- Frequent headaches
- General fatigue and low energy
If you experience any of these symptoms regularly, your health may be at risk.
This is where I can help.
Colon hydrotherapy is the only drug-free, pain-free, safe and effective option for removing the toxic build-up that hinders the final phase of digestion. Call me at (780) 906-2316 to book your next appointment.