Before the nutrients in food can be used, they must be broken down into components that the body can absorb. This process, which starts in the mouth and ends with the expulsion of waste products, can take between one to three days.

 

Food is subjected to chemical changes, as digestive juices break it down into its smallest components.

 

Proteins are broken into amino acids, fats into fatty acids, and carbohydrates into simple sugars, such as glucose. In the small intestine of the body, bile produced by the liver helps digest fats, while pancreatic secretions break down carbohydrates and continue the digestion of proteins and fats.

 

Our Digestive System-There is a direct relationship between the health of your digestive system and your overall look, feel and physical performance. Things that can affect the health of your digestive system are stress, dehydration, eating processed food, non-organic dairy products, processed juices, poor quality fats, chlorinated tap water, and caffeine. 

 

Symptoms of an unhealthy digestive system are the following; gas, bloating, headache, fatigue after eating, constant hunger, bowel irregularity, muscle joint pains and neck, shoulder and lower back pain. If you do suffer from the above symptoms try drinking water before you eat, eat foods like salad first, avoid drinking coffee and alcohol.

 

Take care to limit dehydrated foods, avoid foods you are intolerant to, chew food well, eat small meals often and never suppress the need to eat.

 

The main thing you can do to improve the overall health of your digestive system is to improve the quality of your nutritional intake.   

 

 

 

 

Chris, myHealthCoach