Digestion & Hormone Connection Flashcards
T or F: Gut dysfunction initiated early in life can carry with a person as they age, even if their nutrition and lifestyle have improved.
True
Even though most digestive symptoms may be experienced down south (via constipation, bloating, diarrhea, etc.), the dysfunction typically begins somewhere BLANK?
Up north in the GI tract.
Where does digestive function begin?
In the brain
The body can only digest food when the nervous system is in a BLANK state
Parasympathetic or relaxed state so your body is able to produce enough gastric juice and enzymes to facilitate digestion.
Chewing is important to the digestive process because BLANK?
Your taste buds tell your digestive system what’s in your food so that it can prepare the right enzymes for digestion.
What are the Salivary Amylase?
They are some enzymes actively present in your saliva which begins the breakdown for carbohydrates
What are the Salivary Lipase?
They help initiate the breakdown of fatty acids
Once the food has been chewed up and swallowed, what is its official name?
Bolus?
Once the bolus hits the esophagus, it triggers certain nerves within the esophageal muscles to initaite a movement called BLANK, which does BLANK?
Peristalsis, which forces the bolus down the long tube and into the stomach.
What is the Lower Eosphageal Sphincter?
Where the eophagus meets the stomach. This sphincter only opens to release the bolus into the stomach and then closes again shortly after as to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
Before any food reaches the stomach, it is typically at a resting pH or about BLANK, which is rather acidic.
1.5 - 3
What is acid necessary for?
Breaking down food into small enough particles to pass through the rest of the GI system.
When the bolus enters the stomach, the pH rises to about BLANK which stimulates the stomach to do WHAT?
Neutral; produce gastric juices from the parietal cells such as Hydrochloric Acid (or stomach acid) and certain enzymes that help to break down protein, B12, and minerals that are in your food.
What helps break down the food into a very acid paste called BLANK back to the pH of 1.5 - 3?
A chemical reaction alongside a mechanical reaction which is where your stomach is pulsating and churning its contents.
Chyme
Why is extreme acidity in the stomach so important?
It triggers the opening of the Pyloric Sphincter, which is the connection points between the stomach and the small intestine.
What is the small intestine known as?
The duodenum.
When the Pyloric Sphincter opens, the chyme is allowed to safely enter into the first part of the small intestine.
From there, the acidity triggers the pancreas to produce bicarbonate - a very alkaline mixture - to raise the pH of the food back to neutral.
The pancreas delivers the BLANK to help absorb the nutrients further in the small intestine.
Digestive enzymes
If fat is present in ths cyme, this triggers the duodenal cells to produce the hormone BLANK, which triggers the BLANK to squeeze stored bile into the duodenum to help emulsify the fat - or break it down into smaller particiles - which also helps with absorption.
Cholecystokinin (CCK); gallbladder
What is the primary role of the duodenum or small intestine?
As the preparation chamber, where is prepares the food content for the rest of the digestive process
Once the preparation phase is complete, the contents then enter into the BLANK where the nutrients can be absorbed into the body.
small intestine
Why is the small intestine so long?
It’s about 20 feet in length becuase the body absorbs the nutrients in our food through the same movement process, peristalsis.
As the food passes through the BLANK, finger-like projections on the intestinal epithelial cells known as villi grab onto food particles, allowing them to safely pass through the gut and into the bloodstream to be delivered to the rest of the body’s needs.
Small intestine
What is the Migrating Motor Complex (MMC?)
An electromechanical pulsation of the small intestine that causes your stomach to “growl” when you’re hungry.
Happens in times of fasting when there is no food within the small intestine as an effort for the body to “clear and clean” the intestines of debris.
It is one of the primary benefits of intermittent fasting.
Once the small intestine has absorbed all that it can, the food passes through to the BLANK also known as the BLANK.
Colon; large intestine.
Which is longer in length the large or small intestine?
small intestine
Large intestine
Where does the bulk of your microbiome lie?
In your colon
What is your microbiome?
The complex network of probiotic bacteria that helps to recycle the leftover content of your food by breaking down complex starches and turning them into B vitamins and short-chain fatty acids.
What is one of the biggest ways your body eliminates waste?
Whatever’s leftover after your food is broken down gets eliminated through your bowels.
What is your microbiome important for?
Helping to recycle the leftover content of your food by breaking down complex satarches and supporting the health and integrity of your immune system.
Why can the digestive process get shut down and the stomach not produce stomach acid sufficiently?
If you’re not in the parasympathetic, such as eating on the go, or while multi-tasking or eating your meal in front of a screen.
This in turn results in malabsorption of food, indigestion, and more.
What is Hypochlorhydria?
When there isn’t enough hydrochloric acid present.
What can Hypochlorhydria lead to?
Poor nutrient absorption, specifically with minerals such as zinc, which is an imperative ingredient for stomach acid production.
What is is an imperative ingredient for stomach acid production?
Zinc
Low BLANK can turn into a vicious cycle where it can be harder to be able to produce sufficient amounts, simply due to the nutrient deficiencies that are so common with this occurance.
Low stomach acid levels
What can inhibit the healthy production of stomach acid?
- Age, as the ability to produce stomach acid decreases as we get older
- Drinking too much water or liquid with meals, as this can diluate stomach acid
- Acid-blocking drugs such as proton pump inhibitors and antacids, as well as anti-histamines, as histamine helps to regulate the first stages of stomach acid production
- An over production and infestation of the bacteria H. Pylori (Helicobacter Pylori)
What is achlorhydria?
No stomach acid
When does indigestion often happen?
When there is low stomach acid, potentially paired with insufficient chewing.
BLANK usually takes the longest to break down within the stomach and requires a specific gastric enzyme called BLANK.
Protein; Pepsinogen
When combined with hydrochloric acid, becomes activated into the active enzyme Pepsin.
What are usualy the quickest to break down given that the digetive process begins with the act of chewing?
Carbohydrates
What can potentially result in a build-up of acidic gasses within the stomach, resulting in bad smelling gas, indgestion, bloating, cramping heartburn, and diarrhea?
In the presence of low stomach acid, protein doesn’t usually have enough to be able to break down properly, which can lead to putrefaction within the stomach. On top of that, the carbs may ferment within the stomach as well.
The content of stomach is somewhat BLANK?
acidic, likely around the pH of 4 or 5 but not optimal at 1.5 - 3 so because it isn’t as acidic as it needs to be, the pyloric sphincter won’t be triggered to open naturally, stalling the contents within the stomach.
What causes heartburn and acid reflux and if it continues to happen Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
If the content of the stomach isn’t as acidic as it needs to be, the pyloric sphincter won’t be triggered to open naturally, stalling the contents within the stomach.
The gasses can then build up, eventually putting a strain on the lower esophageal sphincter, sometimes damaging it, and allowing the acidic gasses to enter through to the esophagus, which does not have the same protective barriers as the stomach does, therefore, resulting in the onset of heartburn and acid reflux.
What is commonly thought causes heartburn and GERD?
Hyperchlorhydria (too much stomach acid), but the opposite is most often the case (low stomach acid cause by a sympathetic state, inadequate chewing, insufficient nutrients, etc.)
Symptoms of heartburn and GERD can be the result of BLANK?
Irritation and/or incompetency of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which connects the esophagus to the stomach.
Dysfunction of the LES may be caused by what?
Dysfunction of the LES may be caused by nervous system dysfunction, such as a state of parasympathetic dominance, smooth muscle dysfunction, consumption of certain foods, usage of certain medications, smoking, and alcohol.
It may also be triggered by increasing levels of progesterone during pregnancy.
lower esophageal sphincter
What is Helicobacter Pylori infection or H.Pylori?
A bacteria that naturally resides within the stomach and in appropriate amounts doens’t do any harm.
When hydrochloric acid levels are low, this can result in the H.Plyori infesting the stomach, digging into the stomach lining, resulting in the development of painful stomach ulcers.
What happens when there is dysfunction in the small intestine?
the content of the stomach gets pushed through the pyloric sphincter, and enters into the duodenum per usual. However, since the chyme isn’t at an acidic enough pH, this doesn’t trigger the pancreas to produce bicarbonate and neutralize the content. So the content winds up staying somewhat acidic, usually at a pH of around 4-6, but still more acidic than where it’s supposed to be. When this happens, the chyme stays acidic throughout the remainder of the digestive process. Any digestive enzymes that are delivered to it are killed off immediately, and the digestive process is hindered even further.
What is biliary insufficiency or biliary stasis?
Can stem from one’s inability to move bile properly due to a low-fat or PUFA-rich diet, but it can also be due to a build-up of toxins, and minerals such as calcium, as well as nutritional deficiencies that impair proper bile production.
polyunsaturated fatty acid
What are symptoms of biliary dysfunction?
nausea or intolerance to greasy foods, yellow-colored and poorly formed stools, gallstone formation, biliary inflammation and pain, and in the worst-case scenario, gallbladder rupture.
Improper bile production or secretion may impair BLANK which could impact health in various ways further down the line.
nutrient absorption
Bile helps to maintain BLANK within the GI tract and facilitates the elimination of toxins and excess hormones such as BLANK.
microbial blanace; estrogens
What is a Cholecystectomy?
Removal of the gallbladder
What is the primary role of the gallbladder?
To store and secrete bile that is produced by the liver.
The liver produces bile as a primary elimination pathway. So although bile is important for emulsifying fats, it’s just as important for facilitating detoxification.
In the presence of fatty acids in the diet, the hormone Cholecystokinin (CCK) is released and the BLANK squeezes its bile content into the duodenum to aid emulsification.
Gallbladder
duodenum = small intestine
If a person consumes a BLANK diet, this can result in the gallbladder not being able to release its contents often enough, leading to a build-up of bile in the gallbladder
Low-fat
Biliary dysfunction can also be common in those who consume BLANK, as these fats do not need the same amount of emulsification as their longer-chain fatty acid counterparts
primarily short-chain fatty acids such as butter, ghee, and coconut oil
Because bile often contains various BLANK, it can be quite inflammatory if not released properly from the gallbladder
Toxin metabolites
This in turn can result in inflammation of the gallbladder, and may eventually result in the formation of gallstones. If a gallstone gets lodged in-between the gallbladder and the hepatic portal, it can cause pain and inflammation, often resulting in a cholecystectomy.
Once a person no longer has their BLANK, they are unable to properly release bile into the digestive tract, resulting in the potential for fat-soluble nutrient deficiencies, GI inflammation, toxin accumulation, and poor hormone elimination.
Gallbladder
Those without gallbladders should ideally take BLANK with every meal containing fat to help them assimilate fatty acids and fat-soluble nutrients appropriately. Otherwise, what can happen?
ox bile salts; the fats they eat can remain in the digestive tract, un-emulsified and able to go rancid, factoring into the onset of intestinal inflammation which can result in the development of intestinal permeability, or, leaky gut.
Those without a gallbladder may be able to better tolerate BLANK such as butter, ghee, and coconut oil over other forms of fats that require the support of ox bile to be fully emulsified.
Short-chain fatty acids
If you find that your client has a history of gallstone formation, intolerance to fatty acids, and bowel disturbances including discolored, loose stools, it may be worth looking into supporting their BLANK and BLANK as a foundational approach
Liver and biliary health
BLANK is also a critical nutrient that plays a role in bilirubin synthesis, which is an important component of healthy bile formation
Zinc
For those who show symptoms of looser, yellow-colored stools, it is recommended to look into and address potential zinc deficiency.
This can also be cross checked by running Bilirubin in their blood work
Supplementing with zinc for long periods of times may offset BLANK?
Copper
Gallstone formation may also be more prevalent in those with BLANK. Why is this?
Estrogen excess
Estrogen has been associated with higher risk for crystal and gallstone formation as estrogen may alter the composition of bile by increasing the saturation of cholesterol in ratio to bile salts.
Why can gallbladder issues can be a problem for pregnant women when estrogen is higher?
Becuase estrogen been associated with higher risk for crystal and gallstone formation as estrogen may alter the composition of bile by increasing the saturation of cholesterol in ratio to bile salts.
Why does estrogen therapy and hormonal birth control increases the risk for gallbladder diseases?
Becuase estrogen been associated with higher risk for crystal and gallstone formation as estrogen may alter the composition of bile by increasing the saturation of cholesterol in ratio to bile salts.
BLANK necessary component for facilitating estrogen elimination and clearance. Through supporting liver function and biliary health, you can both support healthy estrogen clearance and reduce the risk for gallstone formation and gallbladder disease.
Bile.
he irritation and inflammation that is caused by the acidic chyme can lead to openings within the tight junctions, allowing food particles & even pathogens to pass through and enter into the bloodstream, causing BLANK
an immune reaction
What is one way that food allergies and sensitivities form?
If food particles pass through to the bloodstream without getting properly identified by the epithelial cells, the immune cells may very well see them as foreign invaders, and produce antibodies against them.
BLANK isn’t the only thing that can lead to leaky gut, however. Although it may initiate it, once food allergies are formed, the more frequently the food is consumed, the more irritation and inflammation occurs, further perpetuating the cycle.
Acidic chyme
