Last month we discussed the travels of food initially when it first reached the stomach, and eventually to the bottom of the stomach. It is now in liquid form, and is ready for release into the small intestines. This liquid is called chyme (kime) and is very acidic because of the high concentration of the hydrochloric acid.

This liquid drips through a valve in the lower portion of the stomach called the pyloric valve and enters onto the wall of the upper portion of the small intestine called the duodenum. Upon reaching the intestinal wall, the chyme activates two hormones, which are carried by the bloodstream to the pancreas and liver. The duty of these messengers is to inform the pancreas and liver as to the amount of undigested protein, carbohydrate, and fat that is in the chyme. In other words, if the food was properly chewed, stress was minimal, liquid was minimal, or if a supplemental enzyme was consumed, there would have been more pre-digestive work done in the stomach and consequently, less undigested food entering the duodenum requiring less work on the part of the pancreas.

Unlike the lining of the stomach to protect itself from the acidity of pepsin and hydrochloric acid, the duodenum has very little mucus lining and could be affective by this acidic chyme. Perhaps you have heard of someone, or even yourself, who have suffered from a duodenal ulcer. Fortunately, the hormone messengers informing the pancreas as to the amount of undigested food that is entering via the pylori valve, also informs it as to the extent of the acidity and how much bicarbonate ions is needed to effectively neutralize the acid and change the environment to an alkaline one. All in a matter of moments. The gallbladder (which secretes alkaline bile) is also stimulated by the acidity and helps to change the mass of acidic food from the stomach to an alkaline condition so that intestinal digestion can begin.

Based on the information received from the hormones as to the amount of undigested food entering the small intestine, the pancreas takes this information to determine the amount of pancreatic enzymes needed to complete the job of digestion. The pancreas is the workhorse of the digestive system. It releases pancreatic protease to digest protein, pancreatic amylase to digest carbohydrates, and pancreatic lipase to digest neutral fat into glycerol (to be converted into glucose) and fatty acids. And overworking the pancreas is not a good idea as it is considered by some to be the major combatant in fighting cancer.

The pancreas has helpers in digesting the fats; they are called the liver and gallbladder. Since fat is not soluble in water, the digestion of fat in the small intestine requires a special process to emulsify it. This process is called degreasing and is done by a group of detergent molecules known as bile salts. Fatty foods are difficult to digest because of their oil content (such as peanut butter and salad dressing). If the oil is not degreased, enzymes cannot penetrate the oil to digest the food. That’s where bile comes into action. Between meals, these bile salts are secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until called upon for fat degreasing. Once these fats leave the stomach, the gallbladder contracts, releasing the bile into the duodenum. Talk about cooperation in the role of digestion, but there’s more!

So, in this 10 inch or so segment of the small intestines called the duodenum, digestion of the fats and proteins is being completed after having been exposed to all sorts of digestive actions on the part of the pancreas and gallbladder (or the liver if you have had your gallbladder removed). The next destination is the second or middle portion of the small intestine called the jejunum where the final step of carbohydrate digestion occurs. This is also where the proteins and fats will be absorbed through the intestinal wall of the jejunum.

Pancreatic amylase completes the breakdown of carbohydrates to maltose, lactose, and sucrose, but cannot complete carbohydrate digestion. It only breaks the molecules down but it’s the microvilli, the small fibers in the wall of the jejunum that finish the job. The absence of these microvilli, through improper eating habits, can produce gas, bloating, and either painful diarrhea or constipation. Here also, is where other organic nutrients (such as vitamins), minerals (such as sodium and potassium), water, amino acids, and fatty acids are absorbed in the small intestine. In fact, most absorption has been completed by the time your meal has reached the middle portion of the small intestine.

When food is absorbed through the intestinal walls, it doesn’t go directly to the cells of the body. Actually none of the nutrients entering go directly into the systemic circulation. Instead, everything is channeled into a special vein called the portal vein. This vein leads directly to the liver where it breaks up into a bed of tiny capillaries. The blood is allowed to pass around and through the liver cells and then is collected again into another large vein called the vena cava, which finally empties into the heart. The liver cells filter out of this blood most of the nutrients which have been absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, and they process them so that they may be properly used or stored, or in some cases, store them until they are needed.

The last section of the small intestine is called the ileum. This is where inadequately digested food molecules, not digested well enough to be absorbed across the intestinal wall, are acted upon by bacterial growth, both friendly and unfriendly. Lactobacilli, the bacteria that retard the souring of milk, are referred to as the "friendly bacteria" that grow and prosper in the intestinal tract including the large intestine or colon. The other bacteria are not so friendly. They feed on food that has not been adequately digested. Most of it is protein in nature. But the process also occurs when protein and refined carbohydrates are consumed at the same meal (orange juice with eggs and/or bacon). This process is called putrefaction, which means rotten or rotting. When foods rot in the intestines, chemicals are formed in it that are toxic or poisonous to the body. The more rotting or putrefaction that’s going on, the more constipated the person is.

Who ever admits to being constipated? Many of my customers had said these words to me, "My doctor says that as long as my bowel movements are consistently every 2 (or 3, or 4, or 5) days, I’m not constipated." Wrong. Constipation should be understood to mean not having at least one bowel movement a day. When this rotting food is not excreted in the feces and left in the colon for more than a day (constipation), the remainder is absorbed back into the blood stream, back into the body! That’s like filling up the garbage can and then re-eating the garbage.

In conclusion, the upper part of the digestive system—the mouth, the stomach and the small intestine—are designed for absorption, while the lower part—the colon or large intestine—is for elimination.

 LET’S HAVE A RACE!

Perhaps you have heard of this story about a proposed 5-mile race between a Volkswagen and a Ferrari. You’re going to bet (if you are a betting person) everything you own—your dog, your house, and your money—on which car you think would win. Would it be the current model, cherry-red Ferrari Testarossa or the 1955 yellow VW bug? You’d put it all (if you were a betting person) on the Ferrari, right? However, what if the Ferrari’s pit crew put soda pop in the car’s gasoline tank and the VW’s pit crew used a super-grade gasoline? Which car would you put your money on now? The Volkswagen, of course!

Let’s change the story by saying you owned the Ferrari, which gasoline would you use? The cheap stuff or the premium fuel? You know if you use the cheap stuff, the car will run poorly; if you use the premium, it runs better. That’s not a complicated analogy.

Now, let’s say you are the Ferrari and you, as the car, could choose what fuel to use. You know how poorly you run on the cheap stuff and how great you feel when you use the premium; so again, it’s not a complicated decision.

Well, we’re all living in the Ferrari right now, the human body. Why do you put 99-cent hamburgers or 50-cent tacos in it for fuel and expect to run smoothly, have energy, and start up with gusto in the morning? It’s your decision.

Oh, you say you don’t have time to eat the good food, the fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables.

We often excuse our performance with the words "I don’t".

I don’t have time to…

I don’t know how to do that…

I don’t think I can…

The truth is, with a few exceptions, you find the time for the important things. You can learn to do whatever you wish. You can do what you set your mind to do.

Don’t hide behind "I don’t". Instead, be truthful to yourself and say, "I won’t".

"I won’t" make time to…

"I won’t" learn how to…

"I don’t have time", then is often an excuse. "I won’t" accurately states what is really happening, what the truth is.

Now that I’m in such a philosophical mood… This next story is something you have probably already heard, read, or been told, but it’s worth repeating again. It’s about when things in your life seem almost too much to handle.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee (I would prefer green tea) from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else—the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children or family. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse or mate out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand"

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I’m glad you asked.

"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."