Healthy digestive system function is something we all take for granted. Normally, it’s not until something goes haywire that we pay any mind to digestion at all.
But when digestion does go off the rails, bad times are a coming, especially if it happens regularly. Gas, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion are no treat.
Whether you have these occurrences regularly, or have had them from time to time, there are things you can do. Unfortunately, many people just don’t understand enough about how it all works to do so.
In today’s video blog, we hope to change that. Today we discuss the function of the digestive system and the many simple things we can do to improve it.
The ins and outs of digestive system function
The digestive system helps us break down our food and absorb it into the body. That way, we can utilize the nutrients to maintain healthy function.
We have mechanical and chemical breakdown helping us achieve this goal. But, interestingly, digestion starts before food even enters into our mouth. In fact, just the mere thought, sight, or smell of food can get our digestive juices flowing.
For the most part, most of the digestive process occurs in the mouth, stomach, and first portion of the small intestine. Additional digestion does occur further down in the small intestine and in to the colon. However, the digestion in the colon isn’t done by us, it’s done by our microbiome.
For the purpose of today’s video, we focus on these first 3 portions of the digestive tract. Conceptually it’s fairly simple, and understanding the basics can show you how to improve it.
Furthermore, these simple tips are essentially zero risk. We recommend doing these things before attempting things like digestive enzymes or supplemental bile as there are drawbacks associated with those approaches.
Regardless, we always recommend you consult your healthcare practitioner before making changes to your routine. Especially if you are adding supplements.
Enjoy!!!