Digestive System

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The digestive system is made up of organs that break food down into protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats, which the body needs for energy, growth, and repair. After food is chewed and swallowed, it goes down the esophagus and enters the stomach. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid and certain enzymes to begin the breakdown of the food. The stomach is particularly important to the digestion of proteins. The stomach is lined with a durable mucous coating that protects it from hydrochloric acid and other gastric juices. Ulcers form when a portion of this mucous lining wears thin, and the digestive juices aggravate the stomach. 

From the stomach the food travels into the small intestine where it is broken down into nutrients that can enter the bloodstream. The bulk of nutrient assimilation takes place in the small intestine.  The Circulatory system carries nutrients from the small intestine to the cells of the body.  The excess food that the body doesn't need or can't digest is turned into waste and eliminated from the body.  The first section of the small intestine is known as the duodenum; it is the most important section in digestion where enzyme secretions from the pancreas and bile secretions from the liver mix with the food and break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats so that the body can assimilate these nutrients and use them for energy. 

The pancreas is an important part of the digestive process, producing digestive juices each day that pass through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine. The pancreas also controls the amount of sugar in the blood by secreting two hormones, glucagons and insulin, which work to keep the system in balance, regulating the body's blood sugar level.

The liver is also critical to digestion. It is the largest internal organ in the body and produces bile, which breaks down, or emulsifies, fats. The liver removes potential poisons from the body, including alcohol and drugs. It also breaks down old red blood cells and reprocesses body substances, extracting iron from hemoglobin, and reusing amino acids.   The liver stores carbohydrates as glycogen, which can be quickly converted into glucose for energy. It also stores nutrients, releasing them into the blood when needed. 

Health concerns related to the Digestive system include indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, insufficient enzymes, stomach ulcers and stomach cramps.

FOODS TO HEAL:  papaya, spinach, celery, kale, beet greens, whey, beet, watercress, yogurt and kefir

VITAMINS: A, C, B Complex

MINERALS: calcium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, and potassium, zinc

HERBS, PHYTONUTRIENTS & SUPPLEMENTS:

Food enzymes - provides a blend of enzymes to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  Provides hydrochloric acid and bile salts to help digest proteins and fats.  Helps with belching, bloating and gas.

Proactazyme – Aids in the breakdown of most types of food.  Improves digestion. Supports digestion of a high-starch or-sugar diet.

Digestive bitter tonic – tones the digestive system and boosts immunity.  Enhances the secretion of digestive juices.  Improves the absorption of nutrients.  Aids the natural cleansing processes of the liver and gallbladder.

Aloe Vera (whole leaf)  - nourishes and alkalizes the digestive and intestinal systems.  Soothes the internal tissues helping with ulcerations and providing anti-acid effects.

Bifidophilus - aids digestion and promote immunity. 

Anti-Gas Formula - contains a special blend of herbs that support digestion, assisting the body’s efforts to expel intestinal gas and calm occasional nausea.

Bowel Detox - promotes healthy, regular elimination of waste from the colon. This formula provides digestive enzymes to aid digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract along with ingredients to provide needed bulk, and to encourage proper flow of waste through the colon.

Gall Bladder - contains herbs used to provide nutrients that support the proper function of the digestive system.  Helps builds gallbladder and bile for fat digestion

Gastro Health - Recent scientific studies determined that H. pylori bacteria might be a primary cause of ulcers and found that ingredients in this formula may inhibit the activity of H. pylori. In clinical studies, deglycyrrhizinated licorice extract (DGLE) helped soothe stomach irritations and relieved associated discomfort.

Ginger - nutritionally supports the digestive process and has the ability to help settle occasional stomach upset and prevent motion sickness. 

Hi-Lipase  - is designed for individuals who have difficulty efficiently digesting lipids (fats). Lipases are a class of enzymes that assist in the breakdown of dietary fats.

Intestinal Soothe & Build - is designed to provide nutrients that support the lower bowel. Ingredients in the formula help relieve occasional bloating pressure and soothe the intestinal tract. 

Milk Thistle - Supports liver cell production. Stabilizes liver cell membranes.  Facilitates elimination of toxins in the body.  Acts as a powerful antioxidant.

Papaya Mint - nutritionally support the digestive system, but can also be used as a tasty breath mint. Papaya fruit contains an enzyme called papain that can break down protein, while peppermint leaves contain aromatic compounds that trigger the production of digestive fluids.

PDA - supplements the body’s digestive secretions with hydrochloric acid (HCL). The stomach manufactures hydrochloric acid (HCL) to break down proteins. 

Small Intestine Detox – supports the digestive system. Contains Marshmallow that has high mucilage content, which may help to soothe digestive tract tissues and Pepsin is produced naturally in the body to help digest protein.

Slippery Elm - may help to relieve occasional digestive discomfort and provides mucilage, which may soothe the throat and digestive tract. Mucilage is an easily digestible long chain of sugars (polysaccharides) that make a slippery substance when combined with water.

Stomach Comfort – provides ingredients that aids digestive discomfort and acid reflux that may help to protect the mucous lining of the esophagus; aid and promote digestion, and soothes the digestive tract. Stomach Comfort may help normal body processes in soothing occasional acid indigestion, heartburn or gas.

Spleen Activator - is a Chinese combination that may nutritionally act as a digestive system tonic. The Chinese call this formula wen zhong, which can be translated to mean “warm the center.” This formula is designed to strengthen a “weak” earth element, nourish spleen function and support the pancreas. It may help provide relief from occasional nighttime leg cramps.

BENEFITS OF PURE ESSENTIAL OILS  

Enhance herbal programs.  Always let your nose guide you - select the ones you are drawn to 

Weak digestion:  Clary Sage and Cinnamon

Indigestion:   Peppermint,  Grapefruit and Lemon  

Tonic:   Mandarin 

Stimulates:  Marjoram

Sluggish:  Myrrh,  Neroli,  Peppermint,  Rosemary and Clary Sage

Nausea: Clove bud, Lavender and Peppermint

Gallbladder:  Grapefruit, Lavender and Grapefruit (for gallstones)

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