What is gut function and how does it work?

It is everything from the chewing to the passing of food and how our gut accomplishes this feat.

Digestion uses about 20%-30% of energy just to digest, assimilate and excrete the food we eat.

Chewing or mastication starts the process- if you don’t chew your food thoroughly this can cause issues the stomach doesn’t recognise food that hasn’t been broken down into small enough particles, It also causes more work for your stomach and intestines. SLOW IT DOWN CHEW PROPERLY small thing that can help a lot.

Stomach
Hydrochloric acid (HCL) is found in the stomach and breaks down food. HCL needs heat, enough liquid in the body and some nutrients (zinc and sodium chloride (salt)) to be synthesized to a potent acid. Without potent HCL the food sits in the stomach unable to digest properly which can lead to bloating and/or reflux.

after the stomach is finished digestion it passes food into the intestine where

The pancreas and the gall bladder release bile and pancreatic enzymes that digest fat and carbohydrates. If there is not enough bile or pancreatic enzymes pain and bloating can occur here it is often from 30min onwards.

As food moves through the small intestine, some small particles slip to the liver for assimilation, the intestine moves all the food through extracting nutrients as it goes. WE NEED ADEQUATE HYDRATION FOR THIS TO WORK otherwise it is hard work for that small intestine to push to food along oaten resulting in constipation when there isn’t enough water to help it work.

The large intestine this is where food turns into feces. The large intestine hosts all of the beneficial bacteria/microbiota/probiotics that you hear about the bacteria also help to digest and this is often where food intolerances manifest themselves to cause a whole lot of pain.

Fecal matter I know its a topic that many don’t like to discuss but… it tells us a lot about what’s going on in our digestive system. That’s why it is so important to take note of your stools.

If its off colour can mean your liver isn’t functioning properly,

If you have cracked dry stools or little pellets chances are your dehydrated.

If you have to use a lot of toilet paper that could mean the intestine is excreting mucous which indicates that there is inflammation in the bowel.

Your naturopath will be able to decipher this in detail and help you to happy digestion.

If you need any further advice or a quick 10min free appointment please email contact@samanthah22.sg-host.com

or call 0412241198