Digestion Series - The Art of Chewing

As I have been dealing quite a lot with digestion problems my whole life, I have taken on a quest to learn and understand all I can about the digestive system. The more you know, the more empowered you become (especially when talking with doctors).

I have learned quite a bit, and have been working to change my eating habits in order to gain better digestion. Changing my ways have been very difficult I have found, as it is so easy for me to go back to my old ways. I have found a prayer before eating for help really helps :)

I have decided to share some of the information I have learned regarding digestion. The first will be "The Art of Chewing"

Digestion begins in the mouth. Here the teeth break down the food we eat to allow our digestive system to function more effectively. Remember there are no teeth in the stomach. If it does not break down in the mouth sufficient enough, it will have a harder time to be processed. Which will become harder for the body to take the nourishment, vitamins, energy, etc. it needs in order to do it's job.

While in the mouth we create a liquid called, saliva. Saliva plays an important role in digestion. Saliva contains enzymes used to break down the starch and fat of the food. If you don't have the proper enzymes in your body, then you have a harder time breaking the food down. So those who are "lactose intolerant" don't produce the enzyme lactose in order to break down the lactase in food. You can take an enzyme pill (Lactaid) to help provide this enzyme.

As the saliva is in our mouth, mixing in with our food, it is also able to tell what food we are bringing into our bodies. It will send a signal down to the stomach, forewarning it. This will then allow it to be prepared as to how to digest it properly. If we eat to fast, the stomach does not have time to prepare, and the food will then need to sit longer (this is not good digestion).

So the next time you eat something, think about these steps, and the wonderful body we are given to allow ourselves to function at our optimum. Remember to chew well and slowly!

Microwave Cooking

These past few months have been incredible as I am learning more about myself and my health. I feel like my health has been greatly improving and becoming stronger each day through small (and big) changes I have been making. One thing that I have learned is how I don't do well with the microwave. A few months ago, I had several friends talk to me about the microwave and it's effects on them. I decided to do my own experiment with this. I didn't use the microwave for a week. When I started to use it again, I couldn't believe the difference I felt. When I started to use the microwave without using it, I was amazed at how I noticed more that I didn't feel quite as right after I ate. I also noticed that I didn't need to take as many digestive enzyme pills when I didn't use the microwave before eating. I have been learning how the microwave get's so hot, that it will change the protein molecules in the food, and kill a lot of the digestive enzymes that our foods natural have. This may be one reason they recommend you don't microwave baby bottles. But I just wanted to pass on this bit of information I have learned for myself, in case anyone else may be having a hard time with food or digestion. Plus I have noticed that although it may take 5 minutes more to cook... the food tastes much better...