7. Digestion Essentials : Love Your Gut, Part 1

There is a great deal of interest in topics related to digestion, digestive health, and gut health at the moment. However, do we know how to love our guts? In this episode, we discuss three topics: loving your gut, anatomy, and physiology, eating hygiene, and digestive organs. This is the first episode of the Love Your Guts Series. 

Anatomy and physiology lesson in part one. Basically, we will quickly go through the body from top to bottom and remind ourselves of all the parts and their functions. Digestion actually begins long before the food is consumed. It is actually the act of smelling that is known as the cephalic phase. Maybe it's touching or seeing food. 

Do you ever walk into a building or a restaurant and the minute the good smells hit you and your mouth starts juicing up, that's our salivary amylase? Our mouth starts juicing up and kicking in that's full of enzymes. All this starts before the food even enters our mouth.

As discussed in part two, eating hygiene and how to chew your food will be discussed. There are certain practices and principles that can help support and improve digestion. The way you consume food is important.

Taking a break from screen time allows you to better connect with your food when eating. Your meals should be free of distractions and screen time. It is essential to sit down, slow down, and be mindful during the meal. An expression of gratitude should then follow. By allowing yourself this space, your body will be able to better absorb the nutrients that you are about to provide. 

Throughout Part 3, we will explore the anatomy of specific organs and how they function.

There are some myths about our gallbladder. We want to reiterate that you do very much need a gallbladder. It provides a critical part of digestion. 

The role of the pancreas. The pancreas assists the body in regulating glucose levels. The body regulates glucose in several ways, the pancreas is most significant. A key role is played by insulin and glucose. 

By understanding the digestion system you can peel back the layers of your onion as you embark on your health journey.

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2 of the Love your Guts Series.