"Our bodies are built up of the food we eat. There is a constant breaking down of the tissues of the body; every movement of every organ involves waste, and this waste is repaired from our food. Each organ of the body requires its share of nutrition. The brain. . .the bones, muscles, and nerves demand theirs. It is a wonderful process that transforms the food into blood and uses this blood to build up the varied parts of the body; but this process is going on continually, supplying with life and strength each nerve, muscle, and tissue." MH 295
If the digestive system performs perfectly, or at least, well, the individual will experience better health. If not, he may suffer a series of problems ranging from heartburn to ulcers to cancer. The good news is that you can enjoy better health IF you take care of your digestive system. Your mind will be more alert and clear; your muscles will have better tone and strength; your skin, hair, eyes-all will reveal greater health and YOU will have abundant energy. Are these benefits worth obtaining? Then, is will be worth it to learn and practice the laws of digestion.
"Those who obey the laws of health will give time and thought to the needs of the body and to the laws of digestion. They will be rewarded by clearness of thought and strength of mind." CT 198
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR VEGEBURGER?
When we bit into a juicy vegeburger, it must be processed in the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. It will be transformed by this process, reduced into microscopic particles to then be absorbed into the blood. This process involves both mechanical and chemical action on that burger. The mechanical action involves various enzymes produced in the mouth, stomach and intestines and hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach.
The principal nutrients in our food are changed by the digestive process are CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS, and LIPIDS or fats and oils. CARBOHYDRATES, including starches and sugars are transformed into simple sugars. PROTEINS are changed into amino acids, and LIPIDS are broken down into fatty acids and glycerine. These are absorbed into the body to build up and maintain the tissues and to provide energy.
A MARVELOUS TRANSFORMATION
When we chew our burger, we first grind it into small particles which are then moistened with saliva. Our saliva contains PTYALIN, a powerful enzyme that begins to break down the starch in the food. An important benefit is obtained by chewing well is that the appetite is better satisfied - and you will be able to watch your figure! "The benefit derived from the food does not depend so much on the quantity eaten as on its thorough digestion; nor the gratification of taste os much on the amount of food swallowed as on the length of time it remains in the mouth." CD 107. "Chew slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food." CD 106
The chewed food is then swallowed, and in the stomach is mixed will with the gastric juices. Several enzymes and hydrochloric acid are secreted by cells in the stomach wall. These continue the transformation process as the food continues moving towards the intestine. The average time your burger remains in the stomach is about 4.5 hours. Now our vegeburger is completely unrecognizable! It is very juicy now. When the acidity level in the stomach reaches a certain point, the pyloric valve - the gate to the intestines, will now permit the partially transformed food to begin to leave the stomach a bit at a time. . . If you add more food at this point you will dilute the acidity level in the stomach, the pyloric valve will close, and the process starts all over again.
In the SMALL INTESTINES the food continues to be broken down as it is attacked by the powerful pancreatic juices, bile and intestinal enzymes. The fats and proteins breakdown are completed here. Thus our vegeburger is completely transformed into the basic units, simple sugars )or monosaccharides), amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerine. The vitamins and minerals are also present. These basic units are absorbed through the intestinal walls into the blood where they will be used to maintain the vital functions of your body and provide energy.
In the LARGE INTESTINE the water will be absorbed, the residue or waste concentrated and eliminated. Thus our vegeburger completes its transit through the digestive system. Actually it takes about 24-72 hours to complete this "TRANSIT TIME." Scientific studies indicate that a 24 hour transit time is the most healthful.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DIGESTION
A. The specific food vs. digestion time: Carbohydrates (fruits, cereals) require the least amount of time to digest; proteins (legumes) is second, and last of all, requiring the most time to digest are the lipids (nuts, nut butters). A mixture of two or three (beans and rice) requires even more time to digest.
B. Method of food preparation: Fried food or foods containing high amounts of oils or hardened fats, require more time to digest. A cereal cooked very well is easier to digest than one that is partially cooked.
C. Some eating customs and certain foods affect the digestion:
1. Tea, coffee, spices and other condiments, and very concentrated sweets are stimulating and irritating to the digestion.
2. Ripened cheese, vinegar, pickled food, and large quantities of fat slow down the digestion.
3. Some combinations of food may cause digestive problems:a. Milk and sugar, or milk, eggs, and sugar: "Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in food. Cakes, sweet puddings, pastries, jellies, jams are active causes of indigestion. Especially harmful are the custards in which milk, eggs, and sugar are the chief ingredients." CD 3334. Too much water or juice taken with the meals will dilute the digestive juices, and slow digestion: "Food should not be washed down. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of saliva; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach...The more liquid there is taken into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest; for the liquid must first be absorbed." CD 106 "If anything is needed to quench the thirst, pure water, drunk some little time before or after the meal, is all that nature requires. Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquids. Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues." CD 420
b. Fruits eaten with vegetables may harm persons with a weak digestion: "It is not well to eat fruit and vegetables at the same meal. If the digestion is feeble, the use of both will often cause distress and inability to put forth mental effort. It is better to have fruit at one meal and the vegetables at another." MH 299,300
c. A great variety at one meal causes indigestion: "There should not be a great variety at any one meal, for this encourages overeating and causes indigestion." MH 299
5. Very hot (or cold) food and drinks slow down and weaken the digestive system. "The stomach is greatly infured by a large quantity of hot food and hot drink. Thus the throat and digestive organs, and through them the other organs of the body are enfeebled." "Food should not be eaten very hot or very cold. If the food is cold, the vital force of the stomach is drawn upon in order to warm it before digestion can take place. Cold drinks are injurious for the same reason; while the free use of hot drinks is debilitation." CD 106
6. "Bathing or exercising vigorously, and intense study before or after eating attract the blood to the surface of the body or to the brain, thus removing it from the digestive organs, and slow down the digestion." CDF 109
7. Anxiety: "At mealtime cast off care and anxious thought; do not feel hurried, but eat slowly and with cheerfulness...When one is excited, anxious, or hurried, it is better not to eat until rest or relief is found." MH 306
D. GOOD HABITS THAT IMPROVE THE DIGESTION
1. MEALS SHOULD BE EATEN IN THE RIGHT ORDER: Breakfast, the first meal should be the most important; Lunch should be less important, and supper, if eaten should be light.
2. HOW MUCH TIME BETWEEN MEALS: "After disposing of one meal, the digestive organs need rest. At least five or six hours should intervene between meals...." CD 173, 174
3. TAKE TIME TO EAT: Eating too quickly takes away vital power and slows down the digestion. Remember to chew thoroughly. CD 106, 107
4. DON'T OVEREAT!: Exercise temperance and moderation even when eating healthful foods. Don't let you appetite guide you. Overloading the stomach disturbs its smooth function. Overeating can also cause you to gain weight. Remember: eat to live, not live to eat.
5. REGULARITY AND SNACKS: Irregular and frequent demands on the digestive organs, interrupts their function, uses up vital energy, and destroys the normal healthy appetite. "After the regular meal is eaten, the stomach should be allowed to rest.... Not a particle of food should be introduced into the stomach till the next meal. In this interval, the stomach will preform its work, and will then be in a condition to receive more food." CD 179
E. MAINTAIN HEALTHY INTESTINAL FLORA: There are 3 kinds of bacteria
and one fungus that normally inhabit our intestines. These help digest
the food and make some of the "B" vitamins that our body needs. The
balance can be disturbed by use of antibiotics, stress or poor diet.
They can be kept in balance by taking Acidophilus and Bifidus when antibiotics
are used or during periods of stress.
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