Digstion And Health Flashcards

Question

MICROFLORA

Answer 1

Hosts vast community - around 100 trillion microbes. Containing over 100 bacteria species Performs following crucial functions: - final stages of nutrient extraction by microbial fermentation (including fermentation of remaining carbs to create the odonis waste by product methane and hydrogen, as well as fermentation of aa to create hydrogen sulphide. Excess flactulence with a strong odour can. Indicate poor digestion as a result of bacterial action on the remaining food - synthesises vitamins (eg biotin and k2) - supports intestinal barrier (produce short chain fatty acids from fibre they ingest, then used by enterocytes. Suppers intestinal barrier and hence protective against leaky gut) - pathogen protection (out competes for attachment on intestinal epithelium and nutrients (eg Candida) - GALT - Regulates appetite / satiety (produce appetite regulating proteins) - mood regulation (indicated by Edward Bach)

Answer 2

GI mucosal membrane surface is largest interface between our internal body and external world, converting more than 400 square metres Plays important role in protection (eg toxins, undigested food, etc) When damaged, tight junctions become leaky (allows large molecules to enter circulation before being broken into simplest form) Can be damaged by: Poor nutrition Heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides Drugs Excessive stress Dybosis and Candida overgrowth Alcohol and smoking Radiation and chemotherapy Early weaning Dietary composition strongly influences the diversity and dominant species in the MICROFLORA Diversity helps support immune system

Answer 3

Describes imbalance in the colonies of bowel flora, leading to disruption in health Can be associated with following: VIT, mineral, aa insufficiency Malabsorption of carbs and fats IBD Colorectal cancer Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s AI, allergies, intolerances Obesity and mood disorders

Answer 4

Distinct pattern of electromechanical activity in the smooth muscle between the stomach and distal ileum during the period between meals Thought to serve as a housekeeping role and sweep residual undigested material through the digestive tube MMC opens the pyloric sphincter (end of stomach) and increase gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretions Secretions aid in the cleansing activity of the MMC and assist in preventing SIBO To support - avoid overeating - minimise heavier proteins - leave longer gap between meals - chew better (so MMC has less to clear) - consider intermittent fasting and optimise sleep - pro-kinetics (ginger, artichoke, etc) and drops of bitters before meals - stimulate PNS by diaphragmatic breathing exercises

Answer 5

Digestive system also acts as a key routes of waste elimination for the body Water and fibre are key for elimination of waste via bowel

Answer 6

Enteric NS is the brain of the girl and extends from mouth to anus Key components are 2 nerve plexuses, embedded in the wall of the digestive tract included: - myenteric plexus (intestines) - submucosal plexus (below mucosal layer) Enteric NS function independently but is regulated by the ANS - myenteric governs GIT peristalsis - submucosal plexus controls release of digestive enzymes Stimulated by Vegas nerve

Answer 7

Develop from the same part of the human embryonic tissue and therefore share many nerve endings and chemical transmitters Nearly every chemical that controls the brain is in the GIT Serotonin plays a role in peristalsis, secretion, sensation, with over 95% of it produced in the GIT Dysbiosis can influence serotonin manufacture in the gut through affecting the availability of tryptophan and co factors (eg antibiotics can negatively affect mood)

Answer 8

Implication of poor digestion are: - less nutrient absorption - fermentation of undigested food - Increased toxaemia - retention of undigested materials and waste in intestinal mucosal secretions

Answer 9

Dietary b12 bound to a protein called R-protein, dependent upon presence of pepsin and stomach acid R-B12 complex enters duodenum and is split by pancreatic protease with digest R-protein and hence release B12 (B12 can then bind to intrinsic factor - a glycoprotein complex - which is produced in the stomach by parietal cells - b12-IF complex is absorbed in the terminal ileum into the blood Therefore poor gastric and pancreatic function or damage to the ileum does impair b12 absorption

Answer 10

Synthesised by skin cells from provitamin D into cholecalciferol in response to UV light Cholesterol is needed to synthesise D - Mg co-factor concerts D in the liver and kidneys - alcohol / drugs impairs this process D3 action on the digestive system to increase intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus D maintains calcium balance in the body, in conjunction with K2 which controls utilisation of calcium -70-80% of infested calcium is absorbed in the more distal regions of the small intestine (ileum). Dietary D absorbed with the help of fat D helps regulate bacterial species in the intestine A deficiency of D3 is linked to imbalance of intestinal flora whilst also linked to increased likelihood of IBD

Answer 11

Healthy functioning digestive system is crucial for delivering required nutrients to all cells in the body Antioxidants protect cells from free radicals / oxidative damage Good absorption and delivery of antioxidants is important to organs such as the liver. Neutralise a large number of free radicals formed through process of detoxification A body that is poorly detoxifying and eliminating waste can increase toxic burden on cells, disrupting cellular functions

Answer 12

Contains key minerals (Ca, P, Mg, K) Small intestine responsible for absorption of these minerals and aa are required to build collagen Intestinal MICROFLORA produces K2 causing Ca deposition in bones Calcitrol absorbs calcium from food Mechanical stress leads to increase mineral and collagen production (weight bearing exercises)

Answer 13

Ca = muscle contraction Mg = muscle relaxation Fe = O2 to muscles Na & K = nerve stimulation Aa = muscle growth and maintenance Poor delivery of nutrients from poor digestion, leading to muscle weakness / aging, cramping, fatigue and pain Muscle health also crucial in supporting digestive health

Answer 14

Due to chemical similarities with Hb, chlorophyll - rich foods can be used as blood builders as they nourish the blood Good digestion required for Fe absorption (stomach acid and C aids absorption in small intestine) Heart must be nourished with abundance of minerals as well as O2 Blood pH must be better. 7.35 - 7.45 Acidic burden is balanced by alkalising minerals. If minerals fall short, taken from bones, muscles, teeth, etc

Answer 15

Hormones released from GIT epithelial cells can - CCK: Stimulate pancreatic juice and bile blow - Gastrin: stimulate gastric activity - CCK: stimulate satiety - Ghrelin: stimulate hunger - insulin: in response to carbs Good digestive health crucial to produce endocrine glands with the nutrients needed to produce hormones - eg thyroid needs iodine, tyrosine, selenium and zinc

Answer 16

Electrical activity relies on presence of Na, K, Cl, and Ca ions which must be ingested and absorbed D is very important for Ca absorption Digestive system of responsible for absorbing substances required to manufacture neurotransmitters - eg dopamine requires tyrosine, iron, b1, 3&6 B12 crucial in NS Poor digestive health = less minerals and B12 absorption impairing nerve activity and potentially resulting in symptoms such as tingling, numbness, loss of balance and pain

Answer 17

Illness or pathology can be described as a blockage or insufficiency of the viral force Find out where force is blocked or depleted and working to restore the flow Applied energetics to remedied

Answer 18

Agni is called digestive fire - the power to digest, transform and absorb nutrients from food Agni is highest in morning - constitution of person determines the amount of digestive fire and provides a guide for food intake When Agni is weak due to energetic imbalance, or bad eating habits, food remains undifested Undigested foods are unfit to nourish the system and are referred to as toxins (or arna) when Agni is balance, arna cannot function Arna is reduced by: Spices / powdered herbs Fresh ginger root 3h between meal and bed Eat slowly and chew well 4-6h between meals Not eating if not hungry Adequate exercise Avoiding cold water and ice Not reading, worming etc with meals or eating when stressed

Answer 19

Alongside spleen, stomach plays a vital role in digestion Function of stomach = rot and ripen that also occurs in nature Key to concept of stomach fire. Without dire, foods are improperly cooked From TCM perspective, stomach is at the origin of all fluids and plays crucial role in immunity Spleen (not organ) likes warm and well cooked meals, eg soup and stews Warm and wet breakfasts Avoid drinking liquid with meals Avoid dampening foods We’ll cooked whole grains, naturally sweet veg and warming herbs and spices Meals cooked by wet cooking methods are warming, easy to digest and excellent source of hydration For those with spleen deficiency, consider using spleen qi tonics such as ginger, cardamom, fennel and citrus peel Naturally sweet foods support and strengthen the digestive system Sugar cravings = spleen qi deficiency

Answer 20

Shape: -Tongue shaped = normal -Swollen = qi/yang deficiency -Thin = blood deficiency -Teeth marks = weak digestion, malabsorption of nutrients in small intestine. Dehydration or hypothyroidism -raised/upturned edges = high stress Colour -pale pink or pale red = normal - red = heat / inflam/ B9 or 12 deficiency - pale= qi/yang deficiency - blue / purple = cold - poor circulation Coating Reflects state of digestive system -thin white = normal - brown = chronic excess heat - greasy yellow = damp heat (eg Candida, SIBO) - greasy white = damp cold (eg Candida, SIBO) - no coat = yin deficiency Cracks - small transverse cracks at centre= damage to stomach lining / low stomach acid - deep crack = stomach heat (eg acid reflux, ulcers) deeper crack = longer health problems Spots / lump by area Heat

Answer 21

-Spoon shaped = severe iron or zinc deficiency -Pale = anaemia -Brittle / easily spilt = mineral deficiency, low stomach acid - white spots = zinc or A deficiency - vertical lines = malabsorption of nutrients eg B, C, minerals EFAs - horizontal lines = sign of strong illness or infection

Answer 22

-grey skin = constipation - yellow skin = liver, gall bladder - butterfly rash around nose = possible rosacea (low stomach acid) or B3 deficiency - corrugated cardboard lines across forehead = large intestine toxicity - vertical creases between forehead = liver dysfunction or needs more support - dry, red forehead = possible bladder dysfunction Acne around chin = hormonal imbalance Rash over cheek & nose -= stomach dysfunction Recurrent forehead acne or rashes = bladder or intestinal problems

Answer 23

- clear & bright = normal \ healthy - yellow = liver / gallbladder - bloodshot = sleeping difficulties, liver disharmony - swollen = liver dysfunction - dry = possible allergy, EFA def or chronic stress - floaters in vision = blood deficiency Iridology: Blue or grey = sensitivity reactions (eg GI & GALT affectations), poor absorption in small intestine, IBS, etc Mid brown or green = digestive sluggishness due to enzyme deficiency, dysbiosis and constipation Dark brown eyes = liver and blood stagnation, poor nourishment, high cholesterol and diabetes mellitus White in centre than rest of eye = low stomach acid Wheel like spokes = digestive imbalance, excessive NS

Answer 24

Dry hair = excessive heat or stress. Possible hypothyroidism Oily hair = excessive body acidity and trans fat Excessive hair loss = nutrient deficiency such as B vitamin (eso biotin), zinc, iron and protein Dry, itchy scalp = lack of EFAs Dandruff = liver problems or excessive heat Greying = nutrient deficiencies such as B5, zinc, or copper: extreme stress

Answer 25

Temples = liver / gallbladder Vertex = liver Forehead = stomach Conditions: Worse for heat = heat pattern Worse for cold = cold pattern Worse for fatigue, improved by rest = qi deficiency

Digstion And Health Flashcards

(49 cards)