Digestive Health

Question 1

Amylase

Answer 1

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down simple sugars

Question 2

Betaine

Answer 2

• digestive enzyme

- rids the body of homocysteine

Question 3

Cellulase

Answer 3

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down cellulose

Question 4

Lactase

Answer 4

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down lactose

Question 5

Lipase

Answer 5

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down dietary fats into fatty acids

Question 6

Pepsin

Answer 6

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down proteins into smaller peptides

Question 7

Protease

Answer 7

• digestive enzyme

- breaks down proteins into AAs

Question 8

pH

Answer 8

• saliva normal range: 6.5 - 6.8; ideal is >6.8
• HCl: 1.5 - 2.0
• mouth and small intestine: alkaline
• stomach and large intestine: acidic
• right pH: enzymes work, wrong pH: enzymes do NOT work
• urine pH: 6.5 (test 1st of day, monitor often)
• blood: 7.35 - 7.45

Question 9

Health mouth support

Answer 9

• good dental hygiene, no amalgams
• fruits and veggies to alkalinize
• de-stress
• Gums: optimal vitamin C for connective tissue
• dark green leafy veggies (folic acid)
• yellow/orange vegs: carotenes
• CoQ10: gum disease or root canal

Question 10

Pepsin

Answer 10

• HCl changes pepsinogen to pepsin

- begins digestion of proteins

Question 11

Intrinsic factor

Answer 11

• carries B12 to ileum for absorption

Question 12

Gastrin

Answer 12

• hormone controlled by thyroid hormone
• stimulates parietal cells to secrete HCl
• stimulates mucosal cell growth

Question 13

Ghrelin

Answer 13

• hormone secreted from stomach lining

- stimulates hunger at hypothalamic level

Question 14

Leptin

Answer 14

• hormone secreted from adipose tissue

- hunger suppressant at hypothalamic level

Question 15

Cholecystokinin

Answer 15

• CCK
• triggered by arrival of chyme in stomach
• from small intestine
• stimulates bile and digestive enzymes from pancreas
• suppresses appetite

Question 16

HCl

Answer 16

• only produced w/ enough minerals and nutrients
• denatures proteins
• pepsinogen —> pepsin
• ionizes minerals
• kills pathogens entering on food
• production decreases with age
• home test: use ACV or HCL betaine before meal

Question 17

Low HCl

Answer 17

• bitters (veggies, herbs, tinctures)
• HCl supplement
• digestive enzymes
• minerals, esp. zinc
• fiber
• ACV, lemon w/ meals
• spicy or heating herbs
• easy to digest proteins
• smaller meals
• identify and address food allergies
• cultured foods, probiotics
• mindful eating, chew!, manage stress

Question 18

High HCl

Answer 18

• aloe vera juice
• DGL, slippery elm
• soaked flax seeds
• cabbage juice
• chamomile and demulcent teas
• avoid: spicy and acidic foods, alcohol, coffee
• stress management
• lots of liquids esp. water to dilute HCl

Question 19

Heartburn

Answer 19

• avoid: onion, garlic, spicy foods, fatty/fried/greasy foods, chocolate, coffee, smoking, citrus, tomato
• many meds cause this!
• determine if HCl is high/low
• eat slowly and smaller meals
• don’t lie down after eating
• drink water upon 1st symptom
• 1 tsp. baking soda in water

Question 20

Probiotics

Answer 20

• “for life”
• regulates GI tract
• used for hangovers, diarrhea, constipation, gut issues, eczema, respiratory disease

Question 21

Lipid digestion

Answer 21

• (mostly triglycerides)
• bulk of fat digestion in small intestine
• bile emulsifies fats in chyme
• pancreatic lipase then breaks down

Question 22

Carb digestion

Answer 22

• pancreatic amylases

Question 23

Protein digestion

Answer 23

• begins in stomach with HCl and pepsin

Question 24

Leaky gut

Answer 24

• irritation of intestinal lining
• partly-digested foods entry into blood stream
• causes allergies, auto-immunity, systemic inflammation
• affects liver
• causes: food allergens*, pathogens, alcohol, NSAIDs, steroids, chemo, age, stress hormones, poor digestion
• critical to remove irritating factors

Question 25

Somatostatin

Answer 25

• tells GI tract to slow down digestion

- decreases stomach emptying and gallbladder contractions

Question 26

Sodium Bicarbonate

Answer 26

• alkalinizes acid chyme from stomach

- induced by secretin from cells in duodenum

Question 27

Bile

Answer 27

• bitter yellow fluid from liver cells
• 1 qt. produced/day
• contains water, cholesterol, lecithin, bile pigments and acids/salts
• forms part of stool (tan/gray —> poor bile flow)
• emulsifies fat, helps body absorb vitamins ADEK
• cholagogue herbs promote bile flow: milk thistle, dandelion, artichoke, burdock, yellow dock, barberry, gentian

Question 28

Digestive Health (general)

Answer 28

• strengthen digestion (bitters, HCl, ginger, digestive enzymes, probiotics)
• strengthen adrenals (higher protein/fat, no stimulants, omega 3s for inflammation, vitamins C and B5, adaptogens)
• practice nutrient density

Question 29

CCK

Answer 29

• cholecysteokinin
• hormone stimulated by HCl after we eat fat/protein
• released into bloodstream by small intestine
• regulates the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes