Digestive Health Center  

General Health Information
Proper digestion, absorption, and elimination are all part of a healthy digestive system.  A healthy digestive system not only ensures that we effectively absorb nutrients from our food, but is also extremely important for healthy immune function.

The digestive process begins primarily in the stomach, and includes the pancreas, the liver, and the biliary system.  Here various enzymes and bile acids combine with stomach acids to begin the process of digesting foods and absorbing nutrients.  Additional nutrients are then absorbed in the middle and lower intestines. The remains are then passed on to the colon, where toxins and waste are eliminated and fluids are reabsorbed.  Without a healthy digestive system our body cannot absorb the maximum nutritional content from foods, leaving us depleted and malnourished. In addition, an unhealthy digestive system can eventually lead to immune problems caused by what is referred to as "leaky gut" syndrome. This occurs when unwanted substances "leak" from the intestines into the body and trigger unhealthy immune reactions.

Proper diet and sufficient exercise when combined with certain nutritional supplements can help ensure a healthy digestive system. It is especially important to support the health and integrity of the intestinal wall and to nourish our "norma flora". Norma flora are the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines that provide many benefits. There are many useful nutritional and herbal supplements that support the intestinal wall and bolster the norma flora including glutamine, acidophilus, bifadophilus, and aloe vera.