By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
Occasional indigestion or a decline in digestive power can make enjoying your favorite foods uncomfortable. Poor digestion may cause embarrassing gas or a sudden need to rush to the restroom. It can also contribute to nutrient deficiencies, even with a healthy diet. Did you know that the enzymes produced by your pancreas are primarily responsible for digestion and absorption of nourishment?
Digestive Stages
Have you ever considered the amount of work your body does to digest your meal? This energy-intensive process is an orchestration of many steps and takes about a day to complete. Here’s an outline of these digestive steps.
1. Chewing and salivation.
2. Swallowing and movement of food down the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Two sphincters control the movement of food into the stomach.
3. The stomach muscle mixes food and liquids with stomach acid and digestive juices.
4. Peristaltic movements push the mixture into the small intestine.
5. As that happens, the pancreas releases enzymes to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
6. Shortly after this, the liver and gallbladder release bile acids to further digest fat.
7. In the small intestine, water and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, nourishing your organs and tissues.
8. Waste products are then moved into the large intestine.
9. Water is absorbed, turning liquid waste into formed stool.
10. The stool is stored in the lower end of your large intestine, or rectum, until a bowel movement occurs.
Chief Source of Digestion
The pancreas plays a key role in digestion by producing digestive enzymes. It produces an amazing 1.5 - 2 liters of three main types of pancreatic enzymes each day. These enzymes include lipase, which breaks down fats; protease, which breaks down proteins; and amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates.
What Does Insufficient Pancreatic Enzymes Look Like?
There are times when digestion and pancreatic enzyme output are compromised, leading to digestive issues like bloating or excessive foul-smelling gas. You may or may not have diarrhea. Sometimes, you may see undigested food particles in your stool or notice an oily appearance in the stool or film in the toilet bowl. Significant digestive issues can even cause weight loss or have lost muscle mass. These issues may result in deficiencies in the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Furthermore, when digestion is poor, your nutritional reserves of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can become depleted, even if you have a high-quality diet. Poorly digested carbohydrates and starches may cause more fermentation and bloating. Moreover, those with poor digestion often reduce their intake of certain foods or consume a restrictive diet, which can further contribute to nutritional challenges.
Factors that Stress Pancreatic Enzyme Production
Several factors can hinder the production of pancreatic enzymes, including alcohol consumption, smoking, exposure to xenobiotics/environmental toxins, and metabolic disorders such as Type 1, 2, and 3C diabetes. High oxidative stress levels, a diet low in whole foods, and consumption of hard to digest and ultra-processed foods increase digestive demands and stress the pancreas.
Health Concerns Related to Decreased Pancreatic Enzymes
Limited pancreatic enzyme production is associated with several health concerns, including a history of pancreatitis, intestinal surgery, cystic fibrosis, other underlying pancreatic disorders, gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases, celiac disease, and genetic disorders. Drug-induced pancreatitis, gallstone problems, malnutrition after a viral illness, and abdominal trauma may also affect enzyme production. Individuals with Type 1, 2, and 3C diabetes may experience a loss of pancreatic enzyme production. Both children and adults may experience decreased enzyme production.
Decreased Digestive Capacity Affects Your Overall Health
A reduced ability to digest your food, especially proteins, makes it harder to maintain muscle mass and strength. Nutritional deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can arise, even for those consuming a high-quality diet.
Poor digestion can also make you more prone to bacterial or fungal overgrowth in the small intestine. Over time, nutrient malabsorption may lead to loss of bone density, decreased muscle mass, a weakened immune system, and even contribute to cardiovascular disease. Poor digestion reduces availability of amino acids and fats needed for hair growth, skin elasticity, physical strength and endurance, mood, focus, and mental energy. It can also make it more challenging to manage your appetite and blood sugar.
Support for Occasional Digestive Distress
For those experiencing occasional digestive distress and need additional enzymes support, we offer Digestive Helper. This full-spectrum, plant-based enzyme helps your digestive system break down a wide variety of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These enzymes are effective across a wide pH range (3-9), making them suitable for digesting all types of foods. They resist stomach acid and work for a full hour after meal consumption in the digestive tract. Digestive Helper also contains BioCore DPPIV and lactase, which aid in the digestion of gluten and lactose (milk sugar), respectively.
Additionally, Digestive Helper provides support with ginger, slippery elm, and DGL licorice root. Ginger is a warming herb that has been used for centuries to aid digestion. It naturally stimulates the release of digestive enzymes and increases the production and secretion of bile acids from the liver and gallbladder.
Slippery Elm promotes mucous production in the gastrointestinal lining, which helps to soothe and support GI comfort. A healthy mucosal lining also supports bowel motility and nutrient absorption.
DGL licorice root supports a healthy stomach lining and intestinal microbiome. It has a protective effect on the stomach and gastrointestinal mucosal lining, without affecting blood pressure.
If digestion is troublesome, consider adding Digestive Helper to your meals. Take 1-3 capsules with each meal. The capsule may also be opened and sprinkled onto the food if preferred. Many people find extra support helpful when eating at a restaurant, consuming large meals, or eating harder-to-digest foods. Digestive Helper may be used with pre-, pro- and post-biotic support such as Tributyrin Plus, GI & Muscle Helper, and Super Dophilus or d-Limonene for bile acid flow, providing comprehensive gastrointestinal support. Digestive Helper has been a customer favorite for decades! Try some today!
