I truly believe that age … if you are healthy… age is just a
number. - Hugh Hefner
Health is a central issue associated with increase in
longevity and population ageing. The maintenance of health status and
functioning with age is a critical factor impacting upon many other aspects of
the lives of older persons, their families and communities. Ageing is
accompanied by several changes in the gastro-intestinal (GI) system and older
adults frequently present with GI problems. Also sedentary lifestyle and food
habits affect mid-40.
The causes for the GIT disorders vary based on the age of
the person, based on locality & mode of lifestyle. The common causes are
contaminated food and water supplies, nutritional factors and also pathogens
like bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites, and helminthes. It is estimated that some form of digestive disorder affects
more than 100 million people. For some people, digestive disorders are a source
of irritation and discomfort that may cause them to drastically limit their
lifestyles and frequently miss work. For others, the disorders may be extremely
crippling and even fatal.
The Gastrointestinal Tract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a long muscular tube that
functions as the food processor for the human body. The digestive system
includes the following organs: mouth and salivary glands, stomach, small and
large intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Irritations or inflammation of the various sections of the
GI tract are identified as gastritis (stomach), colitis (colon), ileitis (ileum
or small intestines), hepatitis (liver), and cholecystitis (gallbladder). The GI tract is not a passive system. Rather, it has the
capability to sense and react to materials passed through it. For a healthy
digestive system, every person requires different food selections that match
their GI tract capacity.
The Digestive Process
The GI tract breaks down foods by first using mechanical
means (e.g., chewing) and then via the application of a host of complex
chemical processes (from saliva to colon microbes). The food eaten and passed through the GI tract
contains nutrients as well as toxins. Toxins can include, but are not limited
to, food additives, pesticides, and specific foods that induce a reaction from
the GI tract.
The process of digestion is accomplished via the surface of
the GI tract using secretions from accessory glands. The two glands providing
the majority of digestive chemicals utilized by the GI tract are the liver and
the pancreas. Another very important function of the GI tract is as a
sensory organ. By rejecting foods through objectionable taste, vomiting,
diarrhea, or any combination of these symptoms, the sensing capacity of the GI
tract can protect the body. The surface of the GI tract has a complex system of
nerves and other cells of the immune system.
Dietary Shifts and Digestive Disorders
Human evolutionary history clearly shows that we are
primarily herbivores. The so-called
canine teeth of humans bear no resemblance to the canines of even a domestic
house cat. The human digestive system is long, and the food is processed slowly
to extract all the nutrients from plant material. Conversely, carnivores have
short digestive tracts that digest flesh very quickly. The digestive systems of
carnivores are able to eliminate the large amount of cholesterol consumed in
their diets, and carnivores do not have alpha-amylase present in their saliva. The effect of the shift in our diets during the past 100
years has resulted in heartburn, suffering from peptic ulcer disease, and
non-ulcer dyspepsia. Over-the-counter medications for these ailments are a
multibillion-dollar industry. Nearly every hour, there is at least one
television commercial selling an antacid or similar product.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
There are five basic symptoms indicating a GI tract problem.
These symptoms are generally associated with dietary problems or specific food
allergies.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can vary from an unsettled feeling in
the stomach to the violent action of immediate vomiting. Patients with nausea
and vomiting symptoms should assume the ingestion of a reactive food (i.e.,
food containing toxins) . Patients with low-level nausea usually have their
symptoms disappear with dietary change(s). Nausea and vomiting are also linked
with migraines caused by food allergies.
Bloating
Bloating can result from excessive gas in the digestive
system, failure of the digestive tract to sustain youthful peristaltic
contractions, or a lack of sufficient quantities of digestive enzymes and bile
acids to rapidly break down food. Intestinal gas results from food fermentation
and swallowing air while eating. The bloating from intestinal gas is different
from that which occurs in the colon.
Constipation
Constipation is the decreased frequency or slowing of
peristalsis, resulting in harder stools. When the GI tract is slowed down,
feces can accumulate in the colon with attending pain and toxic reactions. A
spastic colon results when the colon contracts out of rhythm in painful spasms
blocking movement of the stool. Some patients experience painful days of
constipation followed by forceful diarrhea and watery stool, often accompanied
by abdominal cramps.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the increased frequency of bowel movements,
which are also loose or watery. If diarrhea increases, the possibility of
celiac disease is considered. Celiac disease is a serious disease that allows
certain macromolecules to pass through the intestinal wall. If blood appears in
the stool, ulcerative colitis is likely. Protracted bouts of diarrhea can
result in nutritional deficiencies due to poor absorption of essential
nutrients.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain appears in different patterns and with
varying intensities. Cramping occurs because of muscle spasms in abdominal
organs. Severe cramping pain, often called colic, usually occurs from problems
with strong allergic response to food.
Diseases associated with central GI tract disorders include
depression, migraine, asthma, sinusitis, and fibromyalgia. All of these diseases also have links to
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) .
Steps to a Healthier Digestive System
Elimination diets are a good method of determining what
foods cause an allergic reaction in the GI tract lining. Planning and following
such diets are a safe starting point for anyone desiring to track their GI
tract response to food. Interview physicians to learn who may be most qualified
to assist in planning an elimination diet. A very good indicator of a healthy
GI tract is regular transit time for complete food digestion.
Nutrition from an Ayurvedic perspective
Discovering your constitution and eating respective to your constitution
(PRAKRITI) is very important. By understanding your basic constitution and
condition, you can utilize nutrition as deep source of healing.
This resource is largely under your control: It is you who eats
for you and no one else.
