The Small Intestines

Our tour of the digestive system continues: 

The action now moves into the small intestines.  Since digestion is a north to south process whatever happened in the stomach will impact the small intestines.  Did we digest our food or did it ferment?  Are we taking antacids for acid reflux? 

 

As the food or “chyme” as it is now technically called moves into the small intestines the stomach sends a signal to the pancreas informing it of the amount of carbohydrate, fat, and protein coming its way.  The pancreas then prepares the required enzymes.  Not to overstate the obvious, but the more work the stomach has done, the less the pancreas and the small intestines will have to do.  

 

As you remember, the pH environment of the stomach is supposed to be acidic.  However, the pancreatic enzymes only work in an alkaline environment.  Secretions from the pancreas and bile from the gall bladder alkalinize the small intestine.  The pH of small intestine should be 8.3. Without sufficient bile, the small intestines do not reach this pH.  

 

Normally, food stays in the small intestine for 3-10 hours.  During that time approximately seven liters of enzymes are produced – amylase, protease, and lipase. Ninety five percent of all digestion and absorption occurs in the small intestines.  If the pH is not correct this will be compromised and transit time may be shorter (diarrhea) or longer (constipation).  During this process 5.5 liters of the fluid is reabsorbed. 

 

When working properly the digested molecules from the food we ate will be absorbed into the blood stream in the small intestines.  Once in the blood it will fuel the body.  The undigested material is passed on to the large intestine – our next stop.  

 

What happens when food is not adequately digested and absorbed in the small intestines?  There are two scenarios.  First, food particles not digested well enough to pass across the gut wall pass down the alimentary canal, where they putrefy and form toxins that will be absorbed into the blood.  Undigested carbohydrates feed the “bad” bacteria that we will meet later in the large intestines.

 

Or, the food particles are digested well enough to pass through the gut wall and into the blood, but are not reduced to particles small enough to be utilized by the body.  This causes the intestinal mucosa to become inflamed which makes it more permeable. These are typically proteins.  If you look at the major food sensitivities, intolerances, allergies, or whatever you want to call them, they are generally related to proteins: gluten from grains; casein from dairy, soy, and eggs. 

 

What else contributes to an inflamed mucosal barrier?  Studies show three major factors: therapy with prostaglandin inhibitors (NSAIDs, steroids, prednisone, and cortisone); antacids that decrease the acidity of the stomach, limiting the ability to digest proteins which leads to particles that get into blood leading to immune system reaction; and antibiotics that disrupt the normal balance of bacterial micro flora in the gut as well as the mouth, skin, and vagina leading to an overgrowth of bad bacteria and yeasts.  NSAIDs are non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.

 

As poor digestion (dysbiosis) becomes your “normal” your intestinal permeability continues to increase and is then referred to as “leaky gut syndrome.”  Healthy intestinal lining only allows properly digested foods to pass through into the bloodstream and be assimilated.  It also keeps out bacteria and other foreign substances.  

 

If the gut leaks these “things” get into the body a wide variety of symptoms and health problems are associated, including: abdominal pain, gas, indigestion, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, asthma, chronic joint pain, chronic muscle pain, confusion, fuzzy thinking, poor memory, mood swings, nervousness, aggressive behavior, anxiety, poor exercise tolerance, poor immunity, recurrent vaginal infections, skin rashes,  bed wetting, recurrent bladder infections, fevers of unknown origin, shortness of breath, primary biliary cirrhosis, and general fatigue and malaise.

 

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. He has offices in Thiensville and Glendale, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.

The Importance of Hydrochloric Acid

Here’s a quick three question true or false quiz for you:

          1. The cause of gastric/acid reflux is too much stomach acid.

          2. When we are stressed, we produce extra stomach acid.

3    3. Antacids stop acid reflux.

What are your answers?  If you are like most Americans you probably answered true to all three.  Over the course of our lifetime you have most likely heard endless advertisements telling you so.  Well, sorry. These are all false! They are common misconceptions. 

Acid indigestion is a misdiagnosed and misunderstood condition.  Here’s two important points you need to understand.  First, acid reflux or GERD does not necessarily mean that there is too much stomach acid or HCl, which is a common belief.  The actual truth is that many people diagnosed with acid reflux (too much stomach acid) actually produce too little.  

Second, there are other acids in the stomach besides HCl.  These are the true acids of acid reflux.  So where do they come from?  Food enters the upper part of stomach where it can sit for up to an hour waiting for the body to produce enough acidity to activate its enzymes for protein digestion.

In a young, healthy person it takes approximately 45 minutes for the stomach to reach the pH that releases pepsin.  During this time the salivary enzymes continue to work.  If we ate some raw foods we would also have those enzymes assisting in digestion.  However, if we eat mostly cooked food and overeat it, something else is happening - it is decaying rather than being digested.  Decaying food produces organic acids of putrefaction and fermentation – these are the acids of indigestion. 

In addition, people who suffer from indigestion are often stressed, and eat in a rush, on the run, or while upset.  We have been told stress makes our stomach pump out too much acid, causing heartburn and ulcers.  But here’s the truth about stress and digestion. 

The actual fact is that stress engages the sympathetic nervous system.  This suppresses digestion, and thus HCl production.  Think about it.  Our sympathetic response is also called “fight or flight.” Back in the good old days if you saw a tiger (that would be a stress) you would want to run as fast as possible to get away.  The alternative of fighting it would be a losing proposition.  If you are running from a tiger your body is not worried about digestion.  The same thing occurs when we eat while stressed.  The body does not worry about making enzymes so the food sits longer in the stomach. 

Producing insufficient HCl is called hypochloridria.  A sympathetic nervous system response is one factor.  There are others.  As we age we make less HCl.  In fact, by age 65 we make about 15% of the HCl we produced at age 25.  Ever notice how more of the elderly seem to have acid reflux and other digestive issues?

Other causes include excessive use of antacids, a salt-free diet, chronic illness, and an increased metabolic demand (such as sports).  Hydrochloric acid is made from hydrogen and chloride.  Salt, better known as sodium chloride, is a source of chloride.  Zinc is a key mineral required in the body’s process of making HCl.  Chronic illness can deplete zinc.  It is also rather ironic that zinc requires an acidic environment in the stomach to be absorbed.  This requires HCl.  So, HCl requires zinc and zinc requires HCl.  An increased metabolic demand also burns up the minerals needed to make HCl.

How do you know if you are hypochloridric?  Symptoms include: burping, bloating, bad breath, indigestion.  Gas is the first sign that food is not digesting – it is rotting.  As I said before fats go rancid, proteins putrefy, and carbohydrates ferment producing the “organic acids” of acid reflux.

At the root of acid reflux is poor diet - The Standard American Diet (or appropriately abbreviated as SAD).  This is a diet high in processed foods, carbohydrates, starches and sugars, heavy in meat and particularly processed meat, and low in fiber.  Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with meat, it is just the quantity with respect to other foods and the overall quality that most Americans eat that is problematic.  At the same time the diet is low in nutritious foods such as vegetables and healthy meats.  Poor digestion occurs from the combination of poor food quality and lack of good bacteria and sufficient enzymes.

Other triggers for acid reflux include: tight fitting clothes, lying down too soon after eating, eating large meals, and specific foods that irritate (such as tomatoes, citrus fruit, dairy, meat, alcohol, coffee, high-fat foods, fried foods, spicy foods, onions, and chocolate).

While acid stopping medications and antacids can make the resulting symptoms better in the short term, but make the original problem worse!  Here’s why. We are essentially turning off digestion at the stomach and attempting to resume it in the small intestines.  

We know this is not a good idea!  As we learned we need an acidic stomach to digest proteins and specific key nutrients (calcium, iron, zinc, and Vitamin B12).  Without these we can become malnourished and lacking key nutrients.  This can lead to protein deficiency problems, B12 deficiencies, nail problems, iron anemia, allergies, and osteoporosis. 

As mentioned earlier HCl kills bacteria and parasites.  Without it, we are more susceptible to them.  They too are linked to a wide variety of illnesses.   Rotting food also contributes to degeneration of the gastric mucosa, increasing the likelihood of a gastric ulcer.  

And perhaps most important - digestion is a north to south process.  If we get behind in the stomach this places extra burden on the downstream organs.

Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create individualized nutrition and wellness programs. He has offices in Thiensville and Glendale, WI. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call (262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.

2013 Events

Rosen Wellness Nutrition and Yoga Workshops:

Mequon, WI - Department of Recreation
Range Line School

March 21, 2013
12:30-1:30 PM
My Tummy Hurts - Natural Ways to Improve Digestion

April 18, 2013
12:30-1:30 PM
The Joy of Relaxation

May 16, 2013
12:30-1:30 PM
Principles of a Healthy Diet

June 13, 2013
12:30-1:30 PM
Energize Your Life

See program descriptions below.
Register on-line at http://www.mtsd.k12.wi.us
 
Kalamazoo, MI - Sangha Yoga
157 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Mall Plaza Suite 140

June 26, 2013
2:00-5:00 PM
Fundamentals of Nutrition Plus Top Nutrition Myths Debunked!

June 27, 2013
2:00-5:00 PM
Nutritional Anatomy For Yogis - Focus on Digestion, Hormones and relationship to practice

June 27, 2013
6:45-8:00 PM
The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation

See program descriptions below.
For more information or to register go to http://www.sanghayoga.com/

Cedar Falls, IA – Field of Yoga

15 E 4th St, Suite 101

2013 Program TBA

Call (319) 830-2080 to register.

http://www.fieldofyoga.com

 

Minneapolis, MN – Devanandi Yoga

2822 W. 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410

612.926.8250

July 16, 2013

9:30 AM-12:30 PM Nutrition for Yogis 
2:00-5:00 PM  Nutritional Anatomy for Yogis

See Program Description below.

For more information and to register click here: http://www.devanadiyoga.com/guest_bernie.html

Lisle, IL - Prairie Yoga

4701 Auvergne Avenue, Suite 104

January 18, 2014 (11:00 AM-2:00 PM) - Nutrition Boot Camp 1/Nutrition for Yogis

January 18, 2014 (3:00-6:00 PM) - Nutrition Boot Camp 2/Nutritional Anatomy for Yogis

See Program Descriptions below.

Call (630) 968-3216 to register.

http://www.prairieyoga.org/

Program Descriptions:

Nutrition Boot Camp 1/Fundamentals of Nutrition/Nutrition for Yogis

Learn the basics of nutrition - what to eat and why. Discover the core nutrients - protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water - and why they are important. This information will aid you in making better choices. You'll leave with food shopping lists, ideas for healthy meals, a step by step transition to a healthier diet, and a sample week of healthy eating.

Nutrition Boot Camp 2/Nutrition Roundtable/Nutritional Anatomy for Yogis

Learn how to use nutrition to address common ailments and symptoms that people suffer from. Includes: digestive problems (acid reflux, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea), aches & pains, inflammation, blood sugar, high cholesterol, fatigue, stress, emotional issues (anxiety, depression, mood swings, PMS), and hormones.

The Joy of Relaxation... Simple Stress Management Techniques

Stress is the most widespread affliction in our fast paced world. It affects people of all ages. It comes from a wide variety of sources and is at the root of many common cardiovascular, digestive, energy, and weight complaints. Learn the impact of stress on your body, but more importantly learn techniques to reduce its effects.

Rejuvenation... The Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation

Come learn these simple techniques to improve your physical and mental vitality. Practiced by a remote sect of Tibetan monks, these rites were brought to the West by a British Army colonel fascinated by stories of monks that had discovered the secret to longevity. The Five Tibetans are a great way to start the day. The complete practice requires only 10-15 minutes.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a technique for deep relaxation and restoration. The intent of the practice is to systematically relax all physical and mental stress, and on a deeper level relieve all negative subconscious tendencies. When combined with “sankalpa” (resolution), Yoga Nidra offers the ultimate means to access vitality and at the same time establish new and inspiring life directions. During the workshop you’ll create your “sankalpa” and experience Yoga Nidra. Please bring a pillow and light blanket or other body covering to this workshop.

Principles of a Healthy Diet

Learn the nuts and bolts of nutrition – protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. There are all kinds of diets being marketed to the American public: low carbohydrate, high carbohydrate, low fat, high fat, low protein, and high protein. How do we know what is good for us? The truth is that we need carbohydrates, fats and proteins for our bodies to operate. However, all carbohydrates, fats and proteins are not created equal. Learn why we need these in our diet and how to make healthy choices. For each of these nutrients you’ll learn what they are, what they do in the body, why we need them, and dietary sources.

Strategies for Successful and Permanent Weight Loss

Many of us want to know – what is going on? I watch what I eat, I exercise regularly, but I am not losing weight. Others of us have tried a variety of diet programs with varying degrees of success, but often once the diet is over, we gain the weight back. There are many factors that influence our ability to lose weight. Among these are certainly the foods we eat and what we drink, how often and how long we exercise, and often overlooked – how we manage the stress in our daily life.

The Pioneers of Nutrition

Did you know that back in the 1930's and 1940's several nutrition researchers had made connections that our Western diet based on refined and processed food was contributing to increasing rates of chronic disease? Yet, no one believed them, and worse yet termed them as "quacks". Who are they and what did they discover? Come meet the pioneers of nutrition - Dr. Weston Price, Dr. Frances Pottenger, and Dr. Royal Lee.

Good Supplements, Bad Supplements

One day you hear Vitamin X is good for you; the next day you hear it has no benefits.  Why is this?  Let me ask you this question: Have you ever seen a Vitamin C tree?  Despite what most vitamin companies tell you, vitamins made in a laboratory and those made in nature work differently in your body.  In this workshop you’ll learn the difference between investing in your health and flushing your money down the toilet.

Ten Foods to Have in Your Healthy Diet

We are often told what not to eat. In this class learn the ten foods that should be included in your diet that will have an immediate healthful impact. Learn what the foods are, why you need them, and suggestions for how to incorporate them into your diet.

Ten More Foods to Have in Your Healthy Diet

We are often told what not to eat. In this class learn about an additional ten foods that should be included in your diet that will have an immediate healthful impact. Learn what the foods are, why you need them, and suggestions for how to incorporate them into your diet.

My Tummy Hurts: Natural Ways to Improve Your Digestion

We’ve all heard the old saying - we are what we eat. Yet, there is much more to the story. We are what we digest. Much of the U.S. population experiences some form of digestive problems – gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, and/or diarrhea. In this workshop we’ll learn the role of food, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria in improving our digestion.

Energize Your Life: 30 Ways to Increase Your Energy

Are you looking for more energy and vitality? There are many ways to boost energy in a natural way. Learn how to invigorate your body and mind through diet, relaxation, sleep, and exercise.

Ladies, Meet Your Hormones

What's controlling all aspects of your life and you may not even know it? Your hormones - they control, manage, direct, and define every aspect of your daily life. Learn the key hormones and what they do for you.

May 2012 Newsletter Spring Into Action

Spring is in the air!  At least here in Milwaukee it is finally getting “springlike” this week with warmer temperatures and nature is rising up all over.  

Speaking of “springing up” my biggest news is that my book proposal will be sent off to an agent by the end of the week!  I’ve been working feverishly the past several weeks in writing the formal proposal and the sample chapters.  What a project!  

I’ve come to learn that an important aspect of the publishing game, particularly for first time authors, is to have an established following.  One way to do this is through social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter.  I have a special request.  If you have not already done so, please “Like” The Dick Diet and Rosen Wellness on Facebook and follow @thedickdiet on Twitter.  And pass it along to your friends too!

The Dick Diet® Works!

What did American men spend over $2 billion for in 2011?  Beer?  Chips?  Flowers?  Chocolate?  

Well, maybe, but one answer I know for sure is medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).  Worldwide over $4.3 billion was spent.  Why?  It is estimated that over 30 million men in the United States suffer from erectile dysfunction (and over 150 million worldwide) with that number likely to double in the next 25 years.  A landmark study found that ED affects 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 and the incidence increases with age.

It is great to theorize about how a dietary program should work, but getting results is the so called proof, dare I say, in the pudding!  Here’s a recent testimonial from a very satisfied gentleman on The Dick Diet®.  And I suppose his wife is happy too!

Here’s a sample of what he said, “The best part is that my 'diet' consists of more of the things I want to eat vs. things I thought were 'healthy' to eat, and I have a renewed confidence that I can perform as I feel I should without depending on any drugs or other unnatural processes.” 

For the full story click here http://www.brwellness.com/testimonials.htm#erectileDysfunction.

The Digestive Journey Continues

I have added two more installments in our journey through our digestive system. 

Most of the excitement begins to occur in the stomach, but the esophagus is important too.  Sometimes it is telling us of problems in the stomach (such as acid reflux).   

But, it is in the stomach where the so to speak “heavy lifting” – the protein digestion – begins.  What happens in the stomach is most critical because as we know digestion is a north to south process.  

For all the interesting details read on.

http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2012/05/esophagus.html

http://brwellness.blogspot.com/2012/05/stomach.html