Natural Remedies for Digestive Disorders

The health of our digestive system has a big impact on our overall health. According to Gloria Gilbere, N.D., D.A.Hom, PhD., author of Invisible Illnesses, over 70 million Americans suffer from digestive disorders with an estimated $15 billion being spent on costs for medical care.

The Digestive Process

The digestive system is responsible for food intake, digestion of food, the absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.

Digestion begins in the mouth. Digestive juices containing an enzyme called amylase are secreted in both the mouth and the lower intestines when we chew our food. Amylase breaks down starchy foods such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta. This is why it is so important to chew our food thoroughly as this gives the digestive juices time to break down the food before traveling down the esophagus into the stomach.

The stomach contains Hydrochloric acid which is a very strong acid. So strong that if it were found anywhere other than the stomach, which is protected by a thick layer of mucous, it would burn a hole through the area. Along with hydrochloric acid the stomach also contains pepsin, an enzyme that breaks down proteins such as meat, beans, nuts and seeds. From the stomach food passes into the small intestine and is broken down further by pancreatic juice which contains the enzymes trypsin, which breaks down proteins, and lipase, which breaks down fats along with amylase. The gall bladder then secretes a digestive juice called bile which is produced by the liver. Bile assists fat digestion in the small intestine.

Absorption of Nutrients