When it comes to health, many people believe the phrase, “You are what you eat.” But what if I told you that this is only part of the story? The truth is, you are what you digest, absorb, and eliminate. It’s not just about putting healthy food in your body—it’s about how well your body processes that food.
In this article, I’ll dive into why digestion is so much more than just eating, and share the fundamental steps your body needs to properly process and absorb nutrients.
The Golden Hierarchy of Digestion
Digestion is a structured process that involves multiple steps. If any of these stages are disrupted, it can lead to poor health outcomes. Here’s how digestion works, from top to bottom:
- Cephalic Phase
Digestion actually begins in the brain! The sight, smell, and even the thought of food triggers digestive enzymes and stomach acid production. If your brain isn’t in “eating mode,” the digestive system doesn’t get the signals it needs to properly prepare for food. - Chewing & Saliva Production
Proper chewing is essential for breaking food down and reducing stress on your stomach and intestines. This is where digestion begins—if we rush through meals or don’t chew enough, we can overload our digestive system. - Stomach Acid & Enzymes
Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) and digestive enzymes break down food into nutrients your body can absorb. If you suffer from low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), digestion becomes impaired, bile flow is affected, and microbiome balance is disrupted. - Small Intestine Absorption
Your gut lining must be intact for your body to properly absorb nutrients. If the gut lining is damaged, even the healthiest foods won’t be properly absorbed. - Bile Flow & Detoxification
The liver and gallbladder are essential in eliminating waste and regulating your microbiome. Without proper bile flow, your body can’t detoxify effectively. - Gut Microbiome Diversity
A healthy gut microbiome is key for digestion. When all of the previous steps are working properly, your gut bacteria thrive and help your body function optimally.
Many people spend money on expensive microbiome tests, only to see little to no improvement in their health. Why? Because they’ve never addressed upstream issues like stomach acid production, pancreatic enzymes, or bile flow.
Simple At-Home Gut Health Checks
You don’t always need expensive tests to assess your digestive health. Here are some simple at-home checks to help you gauge the state of your gut:
Chewing: Do you chew your food thoroughly or prefer chewing on one side of your mouth? Does your jaw feel restricted or tight?
Saliva: Is your tongue moist? Do you notice bubbles or pooling under your tongue?
Swallowing: Test your gag reflex—if it’s weak, your vagus nerve may need support.
Tongue Health: Take a look at your tongue. Is there any coating, cracks, or discoloration?
Butyrate: The Unsung Hero of Gut Health
Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that is produced in the gut, and it fuels your microbiome. This fatty acid supports every system in your body—from your lungs and skin to even your vaginal microbiome.
When digestion is compromised, butyrate production suffers, leading to issues with immunity, inflammation, and overall resilience.
Why Hydration Matters for Digestion
Your body is made up of 45-75% water, and hydration plays a major role in digestion. But it’s not just about drinking any water—it’s about drinking the right kind.
- Tap Water: Often contains contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, and pharmaceuticals.
- Bottled Water: Be wary of BPA and plastics leaching into the water.
- Filtered Water: Reverse osmosis can remove impurities but also strips beneficial minerals. Re-mineralization is key.
How Much Water Do You Need?
It’s simple! Here’s a hydration formula you can follow:
- Convert your weight from kg to lbs
- Divide that number by 2 – this is the number of fluid ounces you should drink daily.
- Convert fluid ounces to milliliters
Example:
52kg = 114.6lbs
114.6 ÷ 2 = 57.3 fluid oz
57 oz ≈ 1.7L per day
Hydration Hacks
- Add Minerals: A pinch of sea salt or fulvic acid can help restore electrolytes.
- Boost Detoxification: Add fresh lemon juice to your water for vitamin C and liver support.
- Start Your Day Right: Drink 500ml of clean, mineralized water in the morning to kickstart your digestive system.
Today’s Challenge
Take action and improve your digestion:
- Calculate your ideal water intake
- Start your morning with 500ml of clean, mineralized water
- Take one small step to improve your digestion—whether it’s chewing more, supporting stomach acid, or managing stress better.
For those interested in a detailed functional analysis or seeking support with specific health goals, Dr Ailina is here to help. Book an appointment to discuss how a tailored blood panel could provide the clarity and guidance you need.
Please be aware that some of what Dr. Ailina discusses, including investigations on how to get to the bottom of the root causes of your symptoms, are not fully covered by Medicare and not addressed unless you book a Functional Medicine appointment with her. Unfortunately, most of these aspects are not included under conventional medical practice. To obtain information about her Functional Medicine consultations, please call the medical centre and request the introductory information to be emailed to you.
Disclaimer
All content and media on the www.hampsteaddrivemc.com.au website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
