Having good digestion is essential for proper nutrient absorption and for the health of the rest of your digestive tract as well as the whole body in general. Poor digestive function, for example, can affect our immunity, the health of our nervous system, our energy levels and so on. Addressing any upper digestive issues like indigestion or reflux promptly is important as over time these pesky symptoms can lead to other health issues.

The upper digestive tract, mainly the stomach, is where the first part of the digestive function occurs. Adequate digestive secretions including hydrochloric acid (HCl) found in the stomach, are required to break down food, absorb minerals, assist B12 absorption, sterilise food we ingest, and most importantly trigger the next part of digestion that occurs in the small intestines.

The acidity of the stomach content triggers the next phase of digestion stimulating pancreatic enzymes and bile acid release and facilitating further intestinal motility/movement.

If this process is compromised, other digestive problems start to show in the lower part of the digestive tract over time. In addition to various nutrient deficiencies, we see diminishing lower digestive function leading to bloating, gassiness, inflammation, dysbiosis and the start of conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), bacterial dysbiosis, constipation, food intolerance and so on.

Don’t let the indigestion issues linger, a proactive and preventative approach to health is always better.

Keep an eye on more information in the coming weeks for helpful tips on indigestion relief & treatment options.

If you would like individualised naturopathic support, feel free to reach out for more information or to book a free discovery call.