We are told that the body processes foods via three different
methods. Those methods are digestion, absorption and transport. Can
you explain each of these methods beginning with digestion?
A- I would just look at it very simply and explain that first you have to
consume the food to get it into digestion and then at that point the
digestive process starts and the proteins that are composed of
peptides and the acids go into action and start to break the protein
down.

The protein would be broken down into it’s simplest form and when
the complex protein gets broke down it is then ready for absorption
by your body and then once it is absorbed into your body it has to
be transported to those sites in your body that would use the
broken down units.

In the case of protein that would be the amino acids. The amino
acids would be transported to wherever they were needed, muscle
tissue or organ tissue. Then the transport method would actually be
the blood stream. It is true for any of the big building clocks like the
carbohydrates would be broken down and transported and the fats
as well.

We see so many advertisements about digestion and heart burn
and apparently what it does is block the acid production in your
stomach, which probably isn’t good for you. Don’t you need those
acids?
A- Well you know if you have an overproduction of acids in your
stomach either you can irritate the lining of your esophagus.
Obviously you want to reduce the acidity in your stomach and I
think in most cases there is enough acid in your stomach for most
digestive processes to take place.

You know it is not just acids that digest the food in your stomach.
When we were talking about lactose intolerant and sugars getting
digested, the lactaid acts on the sugars lactose and breaks down
the sugar lactose into two simpler sugars by the enzyme lactaid.
It’s not just the acidity in your stomach it is much more like the
muscle action of the stomach.

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Christopher Berry
Diabetic Discussion