Proper digestion and absorption are two of the most important physiological
functions in the body. If these processes are not working properly, optimal
health cannot be maintained. Incomplete or disordered digestion can be a major
contributor to the development of ill health.
The problem can be two-fold:
(1) ingestion of foods and nutritional substances are of little benefit when
breakdown and assimilation are inadequate (2) incompletely digested food
molecules can be inappropriately absorbed into the systemic circulation. This
can lead to the development of food allergies and other associated disorders.
The digestive tract and its function may be the single most important body
component determining health and disease. Maintaining normal digestion,
absorption and elimination is a necessity. When these functions are faulty,
we may not be aware that these dysfunctions are contributing to many other
problems. The impaired digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates further
contributes to impaired assimilation and nutritional deficiency problems.
Therefore, when they are needed, supplemental support of Digestive Enzymes
may be even more important. Natural emulsifying agents and Digestive Enzymes
are excellent aids to the digestive and absorptive processes.
Probiotics
There are over 400 species of bacteria living in our digestive tracts. Most of
these are ‘friendly’ bacteria that have a mutually beneficial relationship with
us, their hosts. However, the gut is also home to some pathogenic (diseasecausing)
bacteria which, given the right conditions, can proliferate causing the
delicate environment of the gut to be disrupted. The results can be digestive
disturbances such as bloating, flatulence, constipation and diarrhoea. Friendly
bacteria feed on fibre and in doing so, produce various organic acids that can
alter the acidity level of the intestines, therefore controlling the spread of
pathogenic bacteria. They also manufacture certain vitamins and aid the
digestion of our food e.g. Lactose in milk products. It is therefore very
important to ensure that the balance of intestinal bacteria is in favour of
the ‘friendly’ strains, which can be achieved by eating an appropriate diet
(high fibre and low sugar) and supplementing with probiotics.