From Food to Fuel
Equally as important to health as consuming quality sources of macronutrients and micronutrients is how well those nutrients are digested and absorbed in the gut. When this process is working optimally, the body can use the food we eat for physiological processes and energy. When it isn’t, we may experience nutrient insufficiencies or deficiencies, which can affect vitality in all dimensions of health as well as our risk for disease.
As you can see, a healthy gastrointestinal tract is important to ensure your body can utilize the nutrients you need. Luckily, there are many ways to support the digestive process. For instance, by chewing your sandwich thoroughly, you’re supporting saliva and digestive enzyme production! In addition, by being aware of bio-individual factors that may impair proper digestion, you or your future clients can work with a healthcare provider to troubleshoot any issues that may be hindering nutrient absorption. Some of these factors include:
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Age – As we age, the body becomes less efficient at extracting and absorbing nutrients from foods and supplements. For example, older adults have decreased acid secretions in the stomach, lowering their ability to extract vitamin B12 from food.
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Antibiotics – Antibiotics can impair proper digestion by influencing gut flora activities that affect gut motility, transit time, and colon processes. In addition, some antibiotics can bind nutrients and affect their absorption.
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Gastric motility – When the gut moves too quickly (such as with diarrhea), the body has less time to absorb nutrients.
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Gut health – Disease and dysfunction in the gut can impact nutrient absorption. For example, in untreated celiac disease, intestinal villi are flattened, leading to nutrient malabsorption. Nurturing healthy populations of gut microbiota is important to gut health as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and candida in the gut are also linked to nutrient malabsorption and deficiencies.
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Medications – Certain medications, such as diuretics or histamine blockers, can bind with nutrients and/or inhibit their absorption.
While these factors are bio-individual and won’t be the same for everyone, awareness and action to support digestion will go a long way toward whole-body health and happiness!
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