We live in a diet-obsessed world: vegan, paleo, keto, high-carb, low-carb, vegetarian. There’s a constant debate about which one is the best.
There isn’t a superior “one-size-fits-all” diet. There is, however, one universal principle: no matter what we choose to eat, it must end up in our cells to nourish our bodies and provide us with health benefits.
You’ve heard the saying: “you are what you eat.” Unless you absorb what you eat, this statement is incorrect. We are facing an epidemic: people who don’t absorb their food.
Why?
1. Eating too quickly. When food does not get broken down (chewed) it will not be absorbed by the body.
2. Drinking water or liquids with meals. Consuming liquids with food will dilute digestive enzymes and stomach acid, preventing them from doing their job (breaking down food).
3. NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Tylenol, and others) can damage the GI tract lining and decrease its ability to absorb nutrients.
4. Low stomach acid. Stomach acid helps break down food so it can be used as energy. Most people have very low stomach acid. Some common symptoms of low stomach acid are bloating and acid reflux. Sound familiar?!
5. Snacking. Constant grazing prevents the migrating motor complex (MMC) from doing its job. The MMC is a “cleansing wave” of intestinal contractions that sweeps the GI and prevents bacteria and yeast overgrowth. Both of these conditions lead to gut inflammation and poor nutrient absorption.
6. Alcohol. Alcohol can damage the stomach and small intestine lining.
7. Gut inflammation. Gut inflammation causes the intestinal tissue to become dysfunctional and unable to absorb food.
8. Chronic stress. When the body spends most of its time in “fight or flight” mode, digestion is not the priority, fleeing from the tiger is. The body must be in a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state to absorb food.
Bottom line: No matter how healthy your diet, if you don’t absorb your food you could be malnourished.
