Lodaer Img

Digestive

Assessing the Gut: Maldigestion, Malabsorption, Allergies, and Sensitivities

As discussed in previous posts, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an approximate 16-foot long organ system; a gateway facilitating immune function and entry of key macronutrients and micronutrients into the inner systems of the human body.1Approximately 30% of total daily caloric intake is devoted to the GIT in addition to a unique and independently working […]

Read More

Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO)

Small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) is a condition defined by an excessive concentration of fungal microorganisms inhabiting the small intestine (SI). Such a condition is often found amongst immunocompromised individuals or those who use antibiotics with symptoms ranging from belching, indigestion, bloating, diarrhea (leading to nutrient deficiencies), nausea, and gas (Erdogan & Rao, 2015). However, […]

Read More

Detecting and Managing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is characterized by an overpopulation (in excess of 105– 106) of bacteria in the small intestine and stomach (Khalighi et al., 2014; Nabanan & Fauzi, 2015). Several urinary organic acid biomarkers are available which help determine the presence and overpopulation of such bacterial species. Such knowledge is critical as it […]

Read More

Fatty Acids: Function and Metabolism

Fat is a macronutrient necessary for several key physiological roles in the body. Specifically, fatty acids (carbon bonds ranging from 4-24 with a carboxyl group) which form fats, is a large energy source and provider of cell membrane constituents (Calder, 2015; Lord & Bralley, 2012). Fatty acids (FAs) also have biological roles that include tissue […]

Read More

Constipation, 5-HT, and Dysbiosis

Digestion and absorption processes occurs along the entirety of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and demands participation of several physiological and biochemical events at each segment. In my last posts, I considered optimal functioning of accessory organs (i.e., liver, pancreas), their secretions, optimal acidity, as well as intestinal lining and its relationship to immune health and […]

Read More

Pancreatic/Liver Secretions, Amino Acids, SSRIs, and Gastrointestinal Health

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an estimated 16-foot long system, which includes the upper digestive tract (esophagus, oral cavity, stomach) in addition to the lower digestive tract (small and large intestine) and accessory organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas) (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). Such a system serves as a semipermeable gateway connecting the outside environment to […]

Read More

Gastroesophageal Reflux and Nutrition

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition affecting as much as 48% of Westernized countries (Ebrahimi-Mameghani, Sabour, Khoshbaten, Arefhosseini, & Saghafi-Asl, 2017). Such a health problem, left unmanaged, can lead to and produce other conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal stricture (narrowing). Thus, detection and management of said condition is paramount. As a […]

Read More

Hypochlorhydria and Dysbiosis

In this author’s last post, low stomach acidity (high pH), micronutrient maldigestion/malabsorption, causes/symptoms of high pH, and solutions to mitigate such conditions were considered. However, low stomach acidity can induce systemic affects where other physiological disruptions occur along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, to include gut dysbiosis (Pizzorno & Katzinger, 2012). As such, the following will […]

Read More

Micronutrient Digestion/Absorption: The Critical Need for Optimal Stomach Acidity

Optimal gastrointestinal (GI) digestion and absorption processes are essential in providing cells and tissues with usable forms of micronutrients. When functioning properly, the GI tract participates in maintaining and protecting health, performance, and longevity. However, when dysregulated, such a system can negatively affect homeostasis. One pathophysiological manifestation of the GI tract, known as hypochlorhydria (low […]

Read More

B9 (Folate) Function and Deficiencies

B9, also known as folate, is a water-soluble micronutrient central to health and homeostasis (Sanvisens et al., 2017). Functions include the metabolism of nutrients such as choline, amino acids, pyrimidines, purines, DNA synthesis/repair, and cell division (Gropper, Smith, & Carr, 2018). As such, deficiencies in folate can lead to disruptions in said functions. As a […]

Read More