Americans are Digging Their Graves with Their Teeth: You are What You Eat and Assimilate

From the cradle to the grave, our health depends upon the nutrients found in natural unprocessed foods. Every cell, tissue, and organ in the body depends upon these nutrients for energy, growth, repair, and maintenance of good health. However, equally important is the functional capacity of our digestion, including the elimination of waste matter.

The digestive system is much more than a long tube that extends from the mouth to the anus; it also includes accessory organs and glands. The salivary glands, stomach, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas are collectively known as the digestive system. Each part of the digestive system plays an integral part in the process of breaking down food. When digestion is completed and all of the nutrients are absorbed into the blood and delivered to every cell and tissue in the body, the waste matter has to be eliminated. It should be understood that the digestive tract is not an isolated part, separate from the rest of the body; every cell, tissue and organ in the body is affected by the activity and condition of the colon.

The digestion process begins in the mouth. Once food enters the mouth, digestion begins with the process of chewing and the enzymes released by our saliva. Once the food enters the stomach it triggers the release of hydrochloric acid. The acid’s job is to break down protein into small units, called amino acids, and liberate minerals for absorption. Hydrochloric acid also kills bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that enter the digestive system via the food.

Once the semi-liquid bolus of food leaves the stomach, it passes into the small intestine. Inside the small intestines, further breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats take place. During this stage of the journey, additional enzymes are released from the pancreas, liver, and stomach into the small intestine. The liquid food, now called chyme, mixes with these enzymes to break down fats, protein and carbohydrates. Eventually these nutrients are absorbed into the blood and delivered to every cell, tissue, and organ throughout the entire body.

The last stop the bolus of food makes in the long journey down the digestive tube is the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water, minerals, and some of the final products of digestion. It also is a temporary holding tank for waste products, including good and bad bacteria. If the waste matter remains in the intestine too long, as with constipation, the function of the entire digestive track will be impaired. Toxins can be reabsorbed into the blood and harmful microorganisms can travel back up the digestive tract and cause illness.

The digestive system processes and distributes nutrients found in foods, as well as eliminates waste matter left behind after the food is metabolized. Under normal conditions, whatever food we eat gets squeezed through the digestive lining and absorbed into the blood, unless we have malabsorption. This common problem develops when there is a breakdown in the digestive process and nutrient uptake is impaired. Varying degrees of malabsorption can occur. One classic example of a malabsorption condition in Celiac disease, a genetic condition in which the individual’s digestion system is unable to digest the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye: the so called gluten grains. In this condition, gluten grains irritate the digestive lining tract, trigger inflammation, and damage the absorption sites in the intestines. Celiac triggers malabsorption and impairs the absorption of nutrients. Consequently, depending on the severity of the celiac patient’s condition, the symptoms may be as mild as digestive upset or headaches, or they can be life threatening from ulcerations of the digestive system or even cancer.

Other conditions that can trigger malabsorption include stress, decreased levels of digestive enzymes, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disorders, and poor nutrition (the standard American diet) to name few. Malabsorption is a common problem and affects millions of Americans by thwarting health and triggering illness. Even the most nutrient dense foods will not be efficiently utilized if malabsorption is not corrected. It is important to understand that whenever the body is denied an adequate supply of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, starches, fats, and essential fatty acids, illness will emerge. Sadly, malabsorption usually goes undetected and is a major cause of illness.

Our digestive system is also designed to process a minimum amount of toxins. However, if the digestive system is constantly bombarded with foreign substances such as harmful bacteria, parasites, or partially digested food, an overload of toxins will occur and illness will result. To further complicate matters, when hydrogenated fats, food additives, pesticides, drugs, and other foreign toxins enter the digestive system on a regular basis, they cause further damage and illness. In order to maintain health and prevent disease, we must minimize the amount of poisons that enter our mouth and pass through the digestive system. At the same time, we must ensure that we have an efficient elimination system.

Our bodies have relied on whole natural foods for thousands of years. Over the past 75 years, we have stuffed an alarming amount of processed, refined, junk food down our digestive tract. These adulterated foodstuffs are laced with small amounts of toxic compounds that accumulate in our fat cells overtime. Millions of Americans are suffering dearly for this tragic assault on one of the most important systems of the body. All diseases are on the rise and affecting each generation at an earlier age. Naturopathic, chiropractic doctors, and even medical doctors up until the 1950’s realized that a large portion of illness stemmed from a central source—a toxic colon.

Part 3: Americans Are Digging Their Graves With Their Teeth: Death Begins in the Colon

References

Bai, JC. “Malabsorption syndromes,” Digestion 1998 Aug; 59(5):

530-46[Medline].

Fasano, A. and Catassi, C. “Current approaches to diagnosis

and treatment of celiac disease: an evolving spectrum,”

Gastroenterology 2001 Feb; 120(3): 636-51[Medline]

-- Dr. James D. Krystosik

Babysteps to Health

Slow and steady wins the race. When you slowly take off the pounds and stick to an exercise program, you are more likely to keep those pounds from coming back. Look at every pound lost as a small victory in the road to health.
Don't set yourself up for failure; set goals that are attainable. Lofty goals are hard to meet and only leave you frustrated.
Make it easier on yourself--use half the cream and sugar in your coffee. Make small changes that add up to a big defecit but don't leave you feeling like your giving up everything you love.
Reward your success--the right way. We'd all like to celebrate that 5 pound milestone with a hunk of chocolate cake, but consider treating yourself in a different way. Why take five steps forward and then two back?
Keep it interesting. Variety is the spice of life; try new things and new foods. If you eat yourself into boredom, you won't be able to stick to a diet or workout routine.
Small changes for big results. Love eggs? Ditch the yolks. Chicken? Lose the skin and try baking or grilling instead of frying. It all adds up over time.
Keep track of activity. Keeping a log or journal of your workouts not only keeps you honest, it allows you to take a look back and see just how far you've come.
If you must eat sweets, eat dark chocolate because it has many health benefits
Stay away from the scale. When your clothes get looser and your measuments shrink should be proof enough that you are on the right track. Numbers on a scale are just overrated.

When is a Fad Diet a Bad Diet?

Time for a reality check: there is no magic bullet, instant cure, or easy way out. Losing weight is not easy, and many fad diets fall easily into the bad diet category. Be wary of any diet or weight-loss program that:

Promises rapid weight loss. Any weight loss of more than 2 pounds per week is too rapid, unsafe, and is unlikely to stay off.
Promises easy weight loss without exercise or that weight loss can be maintained without lifestyle changes.
Uses miracle or magical foods. No food can melt away fat or undo years of overeating and lack of exercise.
It's basis lies in consuming only one (or a limited number) of foods, encourages consuming certain foods in mass quantities, or calls for specific food combinations.
Relies on undocumented case histories. Testimonials and anecdotes mean nothing if there is no scientific data to back up claims.
Promotes unproven or inauthentic weightloss aids such as herbs, supplements, body wraps, pills, cellulite creams, etc.
Sound too good to be true. Most of the time it's because they are.

Splurge vs. Smart: Dining Out Without Breaking Your Diet

High-calorie, fat-laden, large portioned restaurant meals don't have to be a diet breaker. With some careful reading, you too can enjoy a night out without the guilt of a caloric splurge.

When dining American, be wary of words like buttery, fried, pan-fried, crispy, au gratin, creamed, sauteed, and hollandaise. Look for items that are described as steamed, broiled, grilled, roasted and poached to help cut back on calories and fat.

In the mood for a little Italiano? Sauces created from cream or cheese, such as Alfredo sauce, quickly pack in the fat. Go for sauces that are tomato based, and take half home with you--almost all pasta dishes weigh it at well over a serving or two.

Craving some late-night Chinese? Stay clear of batter-coated, breaded, or deep-fried foods and go for the stir-fry. Plain rice is better than fried, and go easy on the sauces; soy sauce and other Asian sauces tend to have high sodium content.