Digestive System is the

Foundation of our Health

“The cure of the part should not be attempted without the cure of the whole.” Plato

Nothing contributes more to your overall health than digestive wellness. The digestive system is the root of health. No matter how well you eat, if your digestive system isn’t breaking down and absorbing the nutrients in your food, your body can’t get what it needs to keep you healthy. You aren't what you eat; only what you absorb. The common philosophy amongst most natural health practitioners is that you are only as healthy as your digestive system is. This is because without proper nutrients no cell, organ, gland or system can do its job properly. It takes strong digestion to break down the essential fats, minerals, proteins and other substances critical for a healthy functioning body. Most people have limited knowledge about digestion and many are unknowingly ruining their digestion on a daily basis. This can lead to serious health consequences. To understand this, we need to know what is healthy, and what is not.

Conditions, grouped under the heading of chronic indigestion, intestinal malabsorption syndrome, or other names, include diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, candida, leaky gut syndrome are a host of other medical symptoms and diagnosis.

Much of the immune system’s activity in the intestines is mediated by a component of the lymphatic system known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue, or GALT. As the largest lymphoid organ in the body, GALT holds foreign invaders for inspection so the immune cells can better recognize potentially harmful organisms and substances. When your immune system is challenged, it initiates an essential - and completely natural - inflammatory response. But when challenges are ongoing or repeated, chronic inflammation is the unwelcome result. In the digestive tract, this sort of low-grade inflammation can unleash unpleasant symptoms.

Most people do not understand that digestion is absolutely the foundation of our health. Because of the way our bodies are connected, inflammation in the gut can eventually lead to inflammation in the bones, heart, brain, or beyond, making osteoporosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, or other diseases you may have a genetic predisposition for more likely as you age. Although all of these conditions have their origin in the gut and indigestion, they routinely cause immune problems. Inadequate nutrient absorption can contribute to other systemic problems such as inflammatory joint disease, chronic dermatological disorders, and sensitivities.

In the United States, at least 70 million people experience digestive disorders. Many more don’t know that their unlikely symptoms may also be related to trouble in their GI tracts. People with digestive problems are often so accustomed to stomach issues that they don’t realize how much better they could feel. They may have learned to live with the discomfort and think that’s just how it’s supposed to be. But over time, functional digestive problems can lead to chronic illnesses that are likely to impair your health even further.