Breaking Down Digestion and Misconceptions of GI Disorders BY HELENA AMOS, M.AC. L.AC., EURO. PHYSICIAN TO YOUR HEALTH
soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K require fat to be absorbed. Bile helps to digest and absorb those vitamins. Bile aldo helps to eliminate waste products from the body, such as bilirubin, a waste product of red blood cells, as well as other toxins. Identifying Underlying Causes With a better understanding of the digestive process, it’s easy to see how complex a system it is, and why identifying any problems can be difficult. But the shortcoming in a Western medicine approach to healthcare is the focus placed on chasing the symptoms, when more attention needs to be given to the causative factors of those symptoms. Here are a few underlying issues that could be causing confusion or complication for identifying and treating a range of GI problems. HCl Insufficiency This condition, also known achlorhydria, is one in which there is a low production of stomach acid. It can cause a number of digestive problems such as: • heartburn or acid reflux • bloating and gas after meals • feeling full quickly • nausea and vomiting • undigested food particles in the stool • nutritional deficiency, especially in iron, calcium and vitamin B12.
One of the most mysterious and varied health concerns relates to gastrointestinal (GI) problems. What parent can relate to the situa - tion of their child’s vague but nonetheless urgent moan of “my tummy hurts”? Who among us can say they haven’t had some kind of “stom - ach issue” but the source of the symptoms is unknown? As an acupuncturist, natural medicine doctor, and health care professional, I treat patients who are presenting with a wide range of symptoms that seem to be linked to GI issues, but are wondering if they could also be related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), pancre - atic insufficiency, mental health concerns, or something else entirely. There are many misconceptions about intestinal disorders, and even more misinformation about symptoms, that need to be addressed to
help people deal with their own GI complaints. If you have, or have had (but are not sure why): ● Gas and bloating ● Pain and spasm in the stomach ● Diarrhea or constipation ● Pain or sensitivity under the right ribs ● Pain on the back of waistline ● Reflux issues ● Nausea and indigestion … then read on.
How Digestion Works Very often, Western medicine doctors don’t discuss everyday life - style changes, diet adjustments, natural approaches, and generally how digestion works. Let’s examine the three major components of digestion. 1. Digestion in the stomach: The role of pepsin and HCl (hy- drochloric acid) in the digestive system is to help break down proteins, which happens in the stomach. Pepsin is an enzyme activated by the presence of HCl in the stomach. It works the peptide bonds of protein, breaking them down into smaller peptide fragments. HCl, on the oth- er hand, provides the optimal acidic environment for pepsin activa- tion and also helps sterilize the stomach by killing bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that may be ingested with food. Together, pepsin and HCl play a crucial role for the digestion of proteins in the stomach before they are further broken down in the small intestine into amino acids with the help of digestive enzymes. 2. Digestive enzymes from the pancreas enter the diges- tive tract into the duodenum, the first part of the small in - testine. Digestive enzymes are essential for the breakdown of food molecules into nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the body. Each enzyme is specific for a particular type of food and helps to break it down to simpler components. Examples: amylase breaks down car- bohydrates into glucose; protease breaks down protein into amino ac- ids; and lipase breaks down fat into fatty acids and glycerol. Without digestive enzymes the body would not be able to properly digest and absorb food, which could lead to malnutrition, deficien - cies, and other health problems. Digestive enzymes also help to pre - vent gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Overall, digestive enzymes play a critical role in ensuring the body can efficiently extract nutrients from food, maintain digestive health, and support overall wellness. 3. Bile is a third important component of digestion. It is important for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intes- tine. It breaks down large fat globules into smaller droplets (a process known as emulsification ), making it easier for lipase to digest it. Fat
Photo by VD Photography on Unsplash Because stomach acid acts as a barrier against harmful bacteria, having an HCl insufficiency can cause bacterial infections in the gut, causing these associated symptoms to develop. There are several rea- sons why achlorhydria occurs, but the most common are due to aging, usage of certain medications, and as a complication of autoimmune diseases. Pancreatic Insufficiency Digestive enzyme insufficiency, also known as pancreatic insuffi - ciency, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes to break down and absorb food properly. It occurs as a result of pancreatitis, stress, some medications, and aging. The symptoms commonly associated include:
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PATHWAYS—Summer 23—15
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