“Digestive system is the starting point to build a healthy body. It provides the nutrients needed for structure and function of every cells of the body.”
A famous quote said ‘You are what you eat’, but in fact, it explains a deeper meaning of ‘you are what you absorb from your food through your digestive system’. Often, people is eating the right food but the body cannot absorb the nutrients as what it should be. As a result, the cell is not getting enough nutrients for maintaining its function and structure. Eventually, this will have a cascading effect to the whole system of the body, such as blood sugar regulation, fatty acids, mineral balance and hydration. For example, people who drink ideal amount of water daily may not absorb sufficient amount of water in the body, resulting in dehydration.
It Starts in the Brain
When focusing on the digestion process, we must look at the north to south process; it always begins in the brains & nervous system, and continues to mouth & esophagus, stomach, liver & gallbladder, pancreas, small intestines and large intestines.
The first digestion process starts in the brain, and not in the mouth. When our brain notice any food that are about to come to our mouth, it instructed the related organs to produce enzymes, hormones and other chemical to digest and absorb the nutrient. Without sufficient production of enzyme and hormones, dysfunctional digestive system can occur.
For example, our saliva will start to build up when we smells our delicious favourite food. We feel more appetite just by looking at our favourite food. It is one of the sign that the brain is instructing related organ to get ready for the incoming delicious food. With the enzyme and hormones, the food is broken down and processed in our digestive system. The right nutrient is absorbed, the waste is excreted from the body. All this can be done if our body is at the relaxed state (parasymphatetic state).
One of the key for healthy digestion is parasymphatetic state, or ‘relaxed state’. In this state, the body is functioning optimally for our digestive system.
Tips for healty eating habits:
- Take a breath and say gratitude for your delicious meal
- Sit down and relax while eating
- Drink warm water before meals
- Enjoy the taste and texture of your food by eating slowly
- Chew your food 20-30 times in the mouth
The balance intake of macronutrients and micronutrients also plays important roles by providing fuels for the related cells and organs to function optimally, supported by the balanced microbiome.