How Digestion and Absorption Really Work: A Naturopath’s Guide to Bett

How Digestion and Absorption Really Work: A Naturopath’s Guide to Better Gut Health

By Naturopath, Jess Valencia

You are what you ABSORB!

ABSORPTION is the key to nourishing every single cell in the body!

Digestion begins in the mouth and continues as food travels through the small intestine. Most absorption occurs in the small intestine.

Digestion is the process of eating, the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food, absorbing the nutrients in the small intestines and then excreting the waste via the bowel.

We all have a sophisticated system that helps break down food into absorbable particles that are then transported to the various body systems for nourishment. Waste needs to be effectively eliminated daily for digestion to be effective.

THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS

each part of the digestive system is responsible for its part in the journey of nourishment.

NOTE: Always seek medical / healthcare advice for your symptoms. This is intended for education and general information only. Your Naturopath can conduct a full assessment and request testing to identify specific issues. A Treatment Plan will be recommended that is personalised for your needs.

What to expect from a meeting with Our Naturopath:

Our Health Toolbox contains:

Food Recommendations-food is medicine and can be used as a treatment.
Nutritional Medicine – therapeutic nutrient doses are needed for the building and repairs of tissues.
Herbal Medicine-to correct and influence body systems to promote healing.
Functional Chemistry Testing – Breath tests for SIBO and / or stool analysis to assess the bacterial load you carry-the good and the bad.

Digestive Part	Main Jobs	Common issues when things go wrong	Remedies for Correction back to health
Mouth	Mechanical & chemical breakdown	Mouth Ulcers, dental cavities	B Vitamins and probiotics
Oesophagus	Propulsion delivery to the stomach	Heart burn, reflux when stuff comes back up into the pipe	Herbs to settle reflux, test to identify any microbial reason for this e.g H.Pylori. overgrowth
Stomach	Mixing/blending and chemical digestion of proteins, fats and lipid soluble molecules	Indigestion, inability to digest fats and food well, abdominal discomfort, bloating	Digestive enzymes can provide assistance if there is a lack of enzymes for the chemical digestion HCL production-modulation of acid with herbs
Liver	Warehouse centre – unpack and re-pack molecules and shipping despatch nutrients off to the destination needed	Fatty liver, storage issues-low iron, elevated cholesterol markers, lack of appetite upon waking.	Greens powders can help to alkalise and give the liver a cleanse. Milk Thistle and other Herbal medicine is the most effective to clean the warehouse.
Gall Bladder/Pancreas	Secretions for emulsification of fats and insulin to open cell channels for the entry of energy	Gall bladder sludge and stones can cause great discomfort and any mechanical obstructions may need surgery-seek medical investigations to assess your individual needs. Pancreas and insulin resistance- Fatigue and malnutrition are common.	Your Naturopath can provide guidance and support with specific herbal blends and nutritional medicines to help with soothing inflammation. Herbs such as the berberines and key nutrients like chromium have a positive effective action on insulin resistance.
Small Intestines	ABSORPTION ON MASS!! Segmentation and mixing/propulsion and chemical digestion of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, fats.	SIBO (small intestinal bowel overgrowth) Bacterial overgrowth will block the absorption capacity. Poor absorption from a poor lining of the mucus membrane. Low Secretory IgA Multiple courses of antibiotics wipe the good guys out! Diverticulitis and inflamed bowel lining	Probiotics, eat vegetables and fruit, drink clean water. Testing the stool can identify any issues in the microbiome and the lining where the good bacteria live. Your Naturopath has access to functional biochemistry testing to identify SIBO.
Large Intestine	Segmentation and propulsion, Bacterial digestion and no chemical digestion. Absorption of ions, water and organic molecules and some vitamins	Constipation, loose runny stools, irregular bowel movements, lower abdominal discomfort	Drink plenty of water and aim for a variety of vegetables and fruit for fibre that helps feed the good bacterial load in the colon. Probiotics can help with forming a good stool. Your Naturopath can prescribed herbs to support the bowel function.
Rectum/Anus	Elimination of the unabsorbed materials along with all waste	Haemorrhoids, Bristol Stool Chart of Poo types – pebbles Type 1&2, soft blobs Type 5,6&7, incomplete evacuation, greenish slimy stools, light coloured poo	If you are drinking plenty of water and eating well but continue to have stool issues, please see your Naturopath for Testing and an assessment. A Microbiome Test from a poo sample can reveal a lot about the functional chemistry and by product of digestion to identify any underlying microscopic factors that are causing poor stool formation and other symptoms of discomfort.

Ready to understand what’s really going on with your digestion?
Book an appointment with Jess to get personalised support and a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms.