Part 1
This week I offered the first of four classes here at the clinic on the digestive system, and I wanted to share that information with our newsletter readers as well. Firstly, we're going to discuss the anatomy and physiology of the digestive tract, where you'll learn why it has a particular structure at each of its sections and how this structure helps food becomes you and keeps the detoxification/ elimination process working smoothly. Secondly, we will learn about things that can go wrong with these structures and processes, and then, most importantly, we will discuss simple, naturopathic treatment plans to address these situations and health issues. So, let's get started.
Believe it or not, the process of digestion begins in your mind. The very thought of becoming aware that you are hungry and thinking about eating a meal starts the chemical and hormonal processes of your digestion. When you see and smell the food--whether you are preparing it or having it set before you--the olfactory nerves of the nose kick into gear and your eyes tell your brain, which tells your stomach, that food is on its way.
Then the pH of your mouth drops dramatically. pH stands for parts per hydrogen and it ranges from 1 to 14, 1 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being the most alkaline or buffered. The pH in your mouth varies greatly depending on what time of day it is and where you are in the eating cycle. At 2:00 in the morning when you are sleeping and detoxifying, the pH in your mouth becomes very alkaline--at 8, 9, and even 10. When you are in the middle of a meal it drops dramatically to 2 or 3, providing adequate acidity to begin the breakdown process of certain molecules, namely amyloids, which are carbohydrates. The acidic environment also helps to kill certain invading organisms that you may have inadvertently ingested.
Once the food is in your mouth, you begin to chew or masticate, and the chewing action begins to break down the food into smaller bits. This is one of the most important stages for proper digestion. It requires good, healthy teeth and gums and lots of chewing. A good rule of thumb is to slowly chew your food 30 to 60 times before you swallow. In this way, the food is broken down into smaller bits, and there is lots of time for your tongue to enjoy the taste sensations and the texture of the food. It also mixes the food properly with the digestive enzymes that are created in the mouth, which starts the breakdown of the molecules.
Once the food is properly chewed, the musculature of the tongue works to propel the food backwards towards your esophagus to be swallowed. Once past 'the point of no return,' the food is propelled downward by the muscles of the esophagus.
The esophagus is a long muscular tube reaching from the back of your mouth to the top of your stomach. It is surrounded by 'C'-shaped cartilage discs that prevent it from collapsing. The strong muscles in the esophagus propel the food towards the stomach, even if you're standing on your head, (or if you were a bat!).
There are several one-way muscular doors along the digestive tract. These are called sphincter muscles and are round in nature, just like the pupils of your eyes. The first sphincter valve opens the door between the esophagus and the stomach. This muscle is called the cardiac sphincter, not because it has anything to do with your heart, but when it goes into spasm it truly feels like you are having a heart attack. On the outside of your esophagus, just above the cardiac sphincter, there is a loop of muscle that surrounds the esophagus and is part of your diaphragm. The diaphragm is one of the largest muscles in the body, and it separates the contents of your lung/chest compartment from your abdomen. The muscular rippling action of the esophagus is what opens the cardiac sphincter door to allow the food into the stomach, then it immediately closing right behind it.
Once inside the stomach, where the pH averages 1 to 2 on the acidity scale, the food is broken down further by stomach acid and the churning action of the muscular walls of the stomach. Special cells within the lining of the stomach called gastrin cells release the hydrochloric acid, which lowers the pH to great acidity. The food will be stored in the stomach for a sufficient time to begin to break down the molecules into smaller bits and kill any pathogens that might be in the food you just ate.
Check out next week's newsletter for Part 2, as we continue our exciting adventure through the digestive tract!
Blessings,
Dr. Susan Godman
