What is a Healthy Gut?

Normal digestion begins in the mouth with enzymes being released which in turn stimulates the release of bile and pancreatic juices into the small intestine.

1. Stomach makes HCL( stomach acid) for protein digestion and killing bacteria and viruses. In addition a health well functioning stomach makes pepsin, gastric lipase, and intrinsic factors which is major in vitamin B12 absorption.

2. The stomach produces acidic chyme prior to entering the upper portion of the small intestine(SI). The acidic chyme stimulates to production of secretin by cells in the SI which then stimulates the release of pancreatic juices for digestion and stabilizes gastric emptying.

3. A hormonal neurotransmitter termed Cholecystokin (CCK) is stimulated by proteins and fats within the acidic chyme entering the SI from the stomach.

4. CCK signals the release of bile from the gallbladder in addition to making the hormone motilin which increases gastrointestinal motility which is extremely crucial for fat digestion and elimination.

Signs of an Unhealthy Gut

1. The upper portion of the SI is termed the duodenum which takes on the acidic chyme from the stomach, this triggers the release of bile, bi-carbonite, and pancreatic juices. If this acidic contents from the stomach are not acidic enough or to alkaline the entire aforementioned process is dampened down and blunted!

2. The SI has divided into 3 compartments:

Duodenum-upper compartment(bile breaks down fats)

Jujenum-middle compartment( pulls nutrients from food to bloodstream, carbs, proteins)

Ileum-lower compartment(B12 bile salts and leftover digestion from jejunum)

1. Each compartment has a specific role in the digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. When the stomach does not send the proper acidic blend of chyme the 3 compartments cannot fully and/or completely execute their digestive functions.

2. This will lead to toxic undigested food particles left in the SI that will feed bacteria into the SI. Bacteria will not digest but it will ferment which produce a very unhealthy environment leading to methane gas, hydrogen gases, blunted digestive motility, and precursor to Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO).

3. Lets pivot back to low acid in the stomach…what are the causes? Extreme low protein, excess carbohydrates, alcohol consumption, marijuana, excess coffee, low in B vitamins, H-pylori pathogens, the aging process, low amount of minerals……..

4. Liver-Gallbladder functions are also crucial in digest/elimination. What causes the liver and gallbladder to under perform: dehydration, excess unhealthy cholesterol, and low fat diets. These can slow down motility which moves food from the stomach to the SI and the SI the to the large intestine for elimination.

For a Complete Bio-Chemical Assessment and Lifestyle Evaluation contact:

Roberto Parker, Innovative Sports Training

rwpsports@yahoo.com

816-405-7703