The document discusses digestion and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It covers the functions of the mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and liver in digesting food. Key points include:
- The GI tract converts external elements into something usable by the body with help from the immune system.
- Poor digestion can lead to health issues, with the stomach and its production of hydrochloric acid playing a key role.
- Other factors discussed are the meridian clock, pH cycles, parasites, fiber and probiotics. A healthy GI tract relies on balancing all these systems and eating a nutritious diet.
2. Digestion is Foundational
“If a person has poor
digestion, if they are
not assimilating food
properly they can
never have optimal
health”
Function of the GI tract is to
convert elements from the
external environment to
something useable by the
body
Immune system assists with
the conversion to make sure
that toxic elements are not
introduced into the body
Liver then humanizes the
elements and makes them
useable by the body.
3. Digestion: From beginning to end
Mouth: Saliva
contains antibodies,
mineral salts and
enzymes. Chewing
increases the surface
area of food on which
digestive enzymes can
act to begin digestion
.
4. Immune Response in the Mouth
The antibodies in the saliva is a first line
defense of the immune system to protect the
body from foreign invaders
5. Digestion: From beginning to end
Swallowing:
Once the food is in the
esophagus it is
propelled toward the
stomach with muscular
contractions called
peristalsis
6. Digestion: From beginning to end
Stomach: When the
food reaches the stomach,
the hormone, gastrin, is
released which stimulates
the release of hydrochloric
acid.
HCL kills yeast and bacteria
and is critical for digestion.
7. Immune Response in the Stomach
The Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is
another line of defense of the immune
system to protect the body from foreign
invaders.
8. Digestion: From beginning to end
Small Intestine:
Most nutrients are absorbed
in the small intestine with
the assistance of pancreatic
enzymes and bile from the
liver. A healthy small
intestine is semi-permeable.
Only the selected nutrients
should be absorbed.
9. Digestion: From Beginning to End
Large Intestine: By
the time the food passes
into the large intestine, most
the nutrients have been
absorbed. The remaining
mass consists of dietary
fiber and water.
Foods should pass through
the entire digestive system
12-24 hours after ingestion.
Bowel movements should
occur at least once a day.
Twice to three times a day is
preferable.
10. Immune Response in the Large
Intestine
Healthy flora in the large intestine prevents the
overgrowth of yeast and fungus.
The “good bacteria” in the large intestine is
another line of defense of the immune
system to protect the body from foreign
invaders.
11. Meridian Clock for Digestive
Organs
Chinese Acupuncture
“Meridian Clock” shows
which meridian is activated
and dominate at a specific
time
12 Meridians
Each take the lead for two
hours
Use to find optimal time for
eating, sleeping, and
exercise
12. Meridian Clock for Digestive
Organs
11pm – 3am: Liver and
gallbladder work to cleanse the
tissues and the blood. Optimal
performance occurs when there
is no undigested food
5am – 7am: Large Intestine is
activated to remove toxins from
the nightly cleanse cycle. Drink
water to trigger bowel
evacuation to make room for
the next days food intake.
13. Meridian Clock for Digestive
Organs
7am – 9am: Stomach
energies are the
highest. Eat most
important meal to
optimize digestion
9-11 am: Enzymes
from pancreas continue
digestive process
14. Meridian Clock for Digestive
Organs
1-3 pm: Foods
requiring a longer
digestive time continue
the digestive process
Late afternoon/early
evening: Best time for
exercise – proteins are
already assimilated
15. Meal Planning around the Meridian
Clock
“Eat like a king for breakfast
And a pauper for supper.”
16. Healthy pH Cycles
NORMAL pH RANGE
Blood pH 7.36 - 7.46
Urinary pH 5.8 - 6.8
(ph of 7 may be better)
Salivary pH 6.4 - 6.8
During a 24-hour cycle
the pH will cycle within
the proper range
Why pH is important:
– Critical for proper
enzyme function
– Assimilation of vitamins
and minerals
– Governs cellular
metabolism
– Influences the
oxygenation of blood
17. pH cycles – 5.8 -6.8
Between 6-10 am, pH
drops from 6.8 to 5.8
Natural body cycles
during this time is more
acidic
Fruit for breakfast:
pushes the body to a
more alkaline state
before the natural body
cycle should be alkaline
This contributes to
afternoon drowsiness
and hypoglycemia
18. pH cycles – 5.8 -6.8
Between 2-5 pm, pH
rises to 6.8
Natural body cycles
during this time are
more alkaline
If morning pH is too
alkaline, there is a
danger of afternoon pH
to become even more
alkaline
A breakfast of protein
and vegetables will
prevent a “too alkaline”
swing in the afternoon
19. Considerations for a Dietary Plan
Physiology:
– HCL
production in
stomach
– Enzymes
secreted by
pancreas
– Bile from the
liver
Meridian
Clock
– Avoid late
night eating
– Most
important
meal for
breakfast
ph Cycles
– Avoid fruit for
breakfast to
keep pH
slightly acidic
– Fruit and
grains in the
evening have
an alkalizing,
sedating effect
on the body
20. Digestion starts with what’s on the
plate
Use the Foundation for Health Food Guide to
identify most nutritious foods
Pro-Vita Meal Plan explains:
– food combining to optimize digestion
– Optimal times to eat fruits, vegetables, proteins
and grains
“A meal should energize, not produce
symptoms. .. As you embrace a
healthier life style, your body will reward
you with the desire to enjoy more
healthy foods.” Dr. Jack Tips
21. Poor Digestion: Common Causes
Mouth: Inability to
chew or insufficient
chewing
Stomach: Hydrochloric
acid production too low
or too high
Small Intestine: Low
enzyme production.
Food allergies
Pancreatic Insufficiency
Poor liver function
Large Intestine: “Good
bacteria” depleted.
Overgrowth of yeast
and fungus
Parasites
Heavy Metal Toxicity
22. Hydrochloric Acid
Produced by glands in the
stomach
Necessary for breakdown
and digestion of many foods
Insufficient amounts lead to
indigestion
HCL levels often decline
with age
High tissue Calcium to
Magnesium ratio contributes
to decrease in HCL
production
Self Test:
– Take 1 TB apple cider
vinegar or lemon juice
– If indigestion improves you
need more stomach acid
– If symptoms get worse, you
have too much acid
23. Stomach
Poor Hydrochloric acid production
in the stomach is the root cause
of many diseases
Bloating
Burning
Belching
Gas throughout
the GI tract
Overfullness
Indigestion
Diarrhea
Constipation
Fatigue
Hives after
eating
Nausea after
supplements
Rectal itching
Cracked
fingernails
Anemia
Post adolescent
acne
24. Increase HCL production naturally
Eat at the same time every
day
Eat salsa before a meal
(watch out for fried chips!) -
use as a vegetable dip or for
homemade chips
Chew on a few fennel or
anise seeds before a meal
1 tsp apple cider vinegar, 1
tsp sea water, 3 oz pure
water before meal
If candida is present, use
white distilled vinegar with ¼
tsp cream of tarter added
instead of apple cider
vinegar
Avoid drinking water with a
protein meal – dilutes HCL
B vitamins (B1, B6, B12)
26. Small Intestine – General
Considerations
Pancreatic enzymes
assist with digestion. If
the pancreas fails,
malnutrition will result
Main causes of disease
in the gut are allergies,
imbalance of the micro-fauna,
and emotional
issues
Sulfur and oxygen will
promote healing.
– Dark green leafy
vegetables are a source
of sulfur
– MSM, a nutritional
supplement, is another
source of sulfur
– Sprouts bring more
oxygen into the gut
27. Lower GI Tract
A medical
doctor made
the following
observation
In countries with high
fiber diets you will find
Large stools and small
hospitals
In countries with low
fiber diets you will find
small stools and large
hospitals
28. Colon
Also known as the
large intestine, just
under 6 feet long
The digestive system
breaks down
nutrients to be used
by the body
Nutrients should be
absorbed by the time
the food mass has
reached the colon
The colon absorbs
excess water and salts
to be taken into the
blood
#1 job of the colon is to
reclaim water
(1 liter/ day)
Indigestible fiber
remains in the food
mass to aid excretion
29. Elimination Process
Undigested food in liquid form flows into the large
intestine
Water and mineral salts are reabsorbed back into
the body
Semi-solid waste is still 60-70% water and 10-30%
bacteria
Peristalsis moves waste through. Elimination should
occur within 12-24 hours after eating
30. General Considerations for Colon
Health
Colon blockage and bowel
irregularity are major factors
behind many illnesses
Diets high in refined,
processed foods and low in
high-fiber foods are most
prone to creating difficulty
Mucus production begins in
the colon. Re-seed the
intestinal tract with “friendly
flora” to reduce mucus
Fiber promotes regularity
Colon is home for “friendly
flora” such as lactobacillus,
acidophilus, and bifidus.
These are important for
digestion and they inhibit
growth of harmful bacteria
Natural pH of the bowel is
slightly acidic. “Acidophilus”
brings acid into the bowel.
31. “Friendly flora” foes
Antibiotics
Steroids
Birth control pills
Diets high in sugar and
fat
Eating too close to
bedtime
These insults can lead
to over growth of
disease causing
bacteria, yeasts, and
fungi
32. Dietary Recommendations for Colon
Health
Eat plenty of fresh fruits,
vegetables, and whole
grains. Avoid processed
and refined foods
Water: 8-10 glasses pure
water a day
Aloe Vera Promotes health
of colon
Juices: Fresh carrot and
spinach juice.
Raw spinach for cleansing,
reconstruction, and
regeneration
Exercise: Moderate daily
exercise
Magnesium: promotes
normal elimination patterns
Vitamin B-5 strengthens
peristalsis
33. Parasites in the US
Frank Nova (National Institute of Health) “There are
more parasite infestations acquired in this country
than in Africa”
Somewhere between 33% to 85% of Americans
have some type of parasite
Perhaps Americans are more susceptible to
parasites because of our sterile environment,
overuse of antibiotics, dietary patterns with increased
refined sugars, and compromised immune system.
34. Parasites are a natural part of life
Humans should be immune to parasites
We need to ask why a person is susceptible to
parasite infestation
Parasites have a purpose – they clean up the
sludge and toxins in the body
Sometimes the body will accept the parasites in
a symbiotic relationship to clean up excess
waste material.
36. Parasites in the Lower GI Tract
There are four classes of parasites
that may be found in the
intestinal tract.
Cestoda – Larger worms up to
35 feet in length, inhabit the
large intestine
Use Para-Mac (from Inno-Vita)
Nematoda-smaller worm that
may inhabit the intestinal tract
or migrate to other areas of the
body
Use Para-Mac (from Inno-Vita)
Protozoa - Single-cell microscopic
parasites that migrate through
the blood stream to all parts of
the body. (Giardia is one
example) Use Micro-Site –
from Inno-Vita
Flukes: Flukes generally travel
through the tissues and settle in
the liver, kidneys, lungs or
intestinal tract Use Micro-Site
– from Inno-Vita