Digestive System Flashcards
carbohydrate and fat digestion begins with
Enzymes contained in saliva
Name the three salivary glands and their locations
Sublingual - under tongue
Submandibular - along inner surface of mandible
Parotid - slightly inferior and anterior to each ear
Caries/cavities are likely caused by lack of which vitamins?
K2 & D
What dietary changes can be helpful for a person with dental caries? (Include supplements and daily amounts)
Elimination of grains
Mineral-laden foods and supplements
Vitamin K2: 1mgdaily per 100lbs w largest meal
Vitamin D: 3000 iu daily, testing blood in 6 weeks to reach 50-79ng/ml
Gingivitis might be a sign of ____ or _____.
Vit c deficiency, anemia
Which antioxidant (in what amount) is helpful for gingivitis?
CoQ10: 300mg daily
Or Ubiquinol 50-100mg daily
What dietary addition can be helpful for gingivitis?
Blueberries (berries in general), 1/2-1 cup daily
What herbal preparation can be helpful for gingivitis?
White oak bark and calendula tea with tea tree oil as mouthwash several times daily.
What are some causes of stomatitis? (6)
Chemical irritation Mouth breathing Cheek biting Chemotherapy Radiation treatment Bacteria, viruses, fungi
What supplement can be helpful for stomatitis (in what amounts) and why?
B-vitamins, because they have action on epithelial regeneration
Methyl b-12: 5000mcg 2x daily
5-MTHF (folate): 1mg 2x daily
What herbal preparation can be helpful for stomatitis and why?
Bee propolis spray acts as a liquid bandage, creating a barrier.
What is cheilitis and what are some causes of it?
Cracking and inflammation of lips and corners of mouth
Caused by infection, allergies, or nutrient deficiencies.
What nutrient deficiencies most often cause cheilitis?
Vitamins B2, B6, folate
What is candidiasis and what symptoms does it cause? Who is commonly affected by this?
Also called thrush, caused by a fungal infection by Candida albicans, catalyzed frequently by antibiotic use.
affects primarily newborns and those with suppressed immune systems.
What are some treatment options for candidiasis?
Probiotics in water, switches several times daily.
Probiotics (1-3 capsules) taken with each meal.
Eliminate sugar rich foods, though not all carbs.
Coconut oil - eat and pull with.
What are effective treatments for cold sores (herpes simplex infection)?
L-Lysine 10,000mg 2x daily
Lemon balm or St. John’s wort tincture/salve made with tincture externally.
Role and parts of pharynx
Transports food between the mouth and esophagus.
Nasopharynx - primarily respiratory functions
Oropharynx and laryngopharynx act as passageway for food, water, air.
Epiglottis covers trachea to prevent food from entering lungs
What causes food to travel down the esophagus?
Peristaltic contractions of two layers of muscles, one circular, one longitudinal
What prevents gastric juices from entering the esophagus from the stomach?
The lower esophageal or cardiac sphincter
List the four layers of the alimentary canal and their functions
Mucosa: contains cells which secrete mucus to protect and lubricate and cells which secrete enzymes for chemical digestion
Submucosa: soft connective tissue containing blood and lymphatic vessels and nerve endings
Muscularis externa: contains two layers of smooth muscle. In the stomach it contains a third layer of oblique muscle
Serosa: composed of a single layer of fluid-producing cells which lubricate the outer surface to reduce friction with abdominopelvic cavity
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly, allowing gastric juices to reach the esophagus
Heartburn that occurs more than twice weekly may be GERD
What are both typical and atypical symptoms of GERD?
Typical: burning sensation in chest, regurgitation of food, chest pain
Atypical: frequent ear infections in adults, asthma (esp in kids), chronic sinusitis, chronic hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, choking sensation at night, excessive salivation, pneumonias
A client comes to you with chronic sinusitis. They are salivating excessively and also have asthma. What may this be caused by?
GERD
What other issues/conditions is GERD closely associated with?
SIBO, dysbiosis, hypochlorhydria
What is the best natural treatment protocol for GERD?
DGL licorice chewables, 4 tablets before meals, 3 x daily while addressing root cause.
What is diffuse esophageal spasms and what are the symptoms?
Caused by uncoordinated contractions of esophageal muscles, causes difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food, very intense chest pains
What is a good protocol option for diffuse esophageal spasms?
Antispasmodics (cramp bark 3-5mL 3x daily)
Magnesium
Address potential food allergies
What are the four functions of the stomach?
Temporary holding area for food
Secretes gastric juices and enzymes to begin chemical digestion of food
Regulates the rate of entry of chyme into the small intestine
Absorbs small amounts of water/substances (alcohol)
Name the four regions of the stomach
Cardiac: surrounds lower esophageal sphincter
Fundus: lateral & slightly superior to cardiac region, serves as holding area
Body: mid portion of stomach
Pylorus: funnel shaped terminal end which empties through pyloric sphincter into the small intestine
How long does it take for stomach to empty following a meal?
Around 4 hours.
What are gastric juices composed of?
Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Pepsinogen
Mucus
Which cells secrete HCL? Which secrete pepsinogen?
What do these gastric juices break down?
How does pepsinogen rely on HCl?
Chief cells secrete HCl, parietal cells secrete pepsinogen.
HCl activates pepsinogen into pepsin, which breaks down protein.
HCl breaks down connective tissue.