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You Are Here: Products Info Digestion
| Digestion |
Proper digestion leads to optimal absorption and assimilation of food nutrients and supports their effective use and distribution throughout the body. The foods and beverages we choose to eat and drink can assist or impede healthy digestion. Digestive health requires healthy foods, frequent small meals and freedom from stress and anxiety. Digestion begins with the smelling and tasting of food, and chewing properly is a small but effective first step toward proper digestion.
The digestive organs including the intestines, liver, gall-bladder and pancreas, function to provide proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients. The digestive tract, also called the gastrointestinal tract, has numerous connecting points along its route where food is broken down into simpler chemical forms by special enzymes for the digestion and absorption of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
Digestive activity in the stomach last anywhere from one to four hours per meal depending on the combination and amounts of food ingested. Liquids pass through the stomach most quickly; next comes carbohydrates, then proteins, and finally fats.
Digestive enzymes can be replaced in two ways: by eating raw, natural foods and through enzyme supplementation. Raw food is the most ideal way to obtain enzymes, since these foods provide the very enzymes needed for their own digestion. Chewing food well stimulates the digestive enzymes in saliva, so that food is already partially broken down before it reaches the stomach.
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