Digestive Process
From
the Stomach to the Duodenum
The Duodenum (Probably one of the most significant keys
to health in the human body)
Next, the chyme is slowly transported from the pylorus
(a valve at the end portion of the stomach) through the
pyloric sphincter into the first part of the small
intestine called the duodenum where further digestion
occurs. The duodenum, just eight to nine inches long
is where more chemicals of digestion are added. The
Ampule of Papilla (Ampulla of Vater above) is located in
the duodenum wall. This is an opening where, bile from
the gallbladder and enzymes and bicarbonate from the
pancreas enter the duodenum. They combine with the
chyme to begin the final part of digestion in the small
intestines. Enzymes are also excreted through the walls
of the duodenum to assist with this digestion. The
inside wall of the duodenum has a smooth surface like
the skin on your face. It is at this point that the
acidic chime must be alkalized so the assimilation of
this nutrient filled liquid is as complete as possible.
In addition, this alkalization is very important so that
the acid from the stomach is neutralized and will not
burn the walls of the small intestine.
What Does this Mean to Your Health
Your body is aware of what you have eaten (there are
sensors in the duodenum) and it calls on your liver,
gallbladder, pancreas and other avenues of digestive
chemicals to assist in the breakdown and assimilation of
nutrients and protection of the digestive tract. Your
body expects you to bring in live enzymes (uncooked
foods such as produce) to assist in this digestive
process. If you do not bring in enough live enzymes
with the food you have eaten you may expect to have acid
indigestion (undigested food), acid reflux, ulcers and
constipation all caused by food improperly prepared at
your mouth (no live enzymes). As this improperly
prepared food enters the duodenum, your digestive
awareness will call on the pancreas and gallbladder to
do the job you did not do. Your pancreas and
gallbladder will then strain to prepare this acidic
chime for release into the small intestine. Allow this
to happen enough times and you will get sick (for
instance, straining the pancreas enough times could
cause diabetes; an epidemic in country. Constantly
releasing acidic unprepared chime from the duodenum to
the small intestine, can lead to such diseases as
crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease and leaky
gut (see From Duodenum to Small Intestine). These in
turn can lead to diabetes, heart disease, cancer,
autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,
muscular dystrophy, etc.
A Note about bile from the gallbladder and enzymes
plus bicarbonate from the pancreas:
Bile liquid is created in the liver and stored in the
gallbladder. Bile emulsifies (breaks into small
particles) lipids (fat), which aids in the mechanical
digestion of fats. The pancreas secretes digestive
enzymes that chemically break down complex food
molecules into simpler ones. These enzymes include
trypsin (for protein digestion), amylase (for
carbohydrate digestion), and lipase (for the digestion
of fats). Epithelial cells in pancreatic ducts are the
source of bicarbonate and water secreted by the
pancreas Bicarbonate is a base and critical to
neutralizing the acid coming into the small intestine
from the stomach.
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, James Balch, M.D.
and Phyllis Balch, CNC, Avery Books 2000
Enzymes The Fountain of Life, D.A. Lopez, MD, R.M.
Williams, MD PhD, K. Miehlke, MD,
The Neville Press, Inc 1994
Understanding Digestion, Elaine Newkirk ND, New Life
Nutrition Inc. 2007,
www.makeripples.com
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