Chewing is the second phase of digestion. The food is torn into smaller pieces for easier swallowing, and allows for the exposure of a greater surface to the digestive fluids. Chewing and swallowing are the only conscious acts of digestion. After that, the autonomic nervous system takes over and you’re on automatic pilot.
When you swallow, your esophagus (the portion of the alimentary canal between your mouth and stomach) propels each bolus, or portion of food, to your waiting stomach. Movement of gastrointestinal contents through the esophagus and problems encountered with IBS stem from an interruption in the normal timing and rhythmical action of peristalsis.
The stomach, which is the widest portion of the alimentary canal, serves as sort of a waiting room and preparation chamber. The stomach releases acids to assist in breaking down food particles; it also releases mucus to protect the stomach lining from acid burns. The stomach continues a rhythmical movement to mix the food with stomach acid, turning the food into a semi-digested material called chyme.
Moving along through the ileum and jejunum the nutrients that have broken down from our food become absorbed in the remainder of the small intestine. The small intestine contains many folds and fingerlike projections called “villi”. Damage to the small intestinal villi can occur as a result of such things as a sensitivity to gluten or other foods and pathogenic or disease causing microorganisms.
Think of the villi as the roots of a plant. Damage to the villi, or your bodies root system, can lead to a wide range of nutrient deficiencies and chemical imbalances.
Digestion is a complex process whereby your body takes the food you ingest and extracts the nutrients to nurture your body. Always try and eat a nutrient dense, whole food diet.
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About the Author: Dr. Gerard Guillory, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has published two books on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In 1985, he opened The Care Group, PC. Today, his clinic is a Primary Care facility that is a hybrid of functional and traditional medicine treating patients with digestive disorders, autoimmune disease, and other conditions. You can learn more about Dr. Guillory here.