The key to avoiding digestive system problems is to promote healthy colon function in your daily diet. For this purpose, the FDA suggests getting at least 25 g of dietary fiber per day -- which should come from healthy foods, rather than from...
Digestion begins the moment food enters the mouth. It refers to the breakdown of food into substances that the body can utilize. That process is normally an easy one, but stress, bacteria and a weakened immune system can lead to impaired digestion...
Vinegar is an acidic solution made from many different types of fermentable carbohydrates, such as grapes, apples, berries and grains. After the carbohydrate source ferments, a particular bacterium is added to the mixture to create acetic acid...
A diet high in fiber is a healthy way to promote digestion. Typical sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Your body can't digest fiber, so fiber doesn't provide nutrients or calories. But it does provide many health...
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the final stage of human immunodeficiency virus disease. The diagnosis of AIDS indicates that an individual has tested positive for HIV with acute damage to the immune system and a CD4 lymphocyte count less...
Indigestion can strike after a heavy, rich or fatty meal, during stressful times or because of other bodily or environmental reasons. Indigestion is characterized by a burning sensation near the heart or an uncomfortably full feeling. It is caused...
Your body relies on proper digestion to absorb nutrients from your diet. Each of the foods you eat contains chemical energy, stored in the form of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, that your body must process to obtain energy. In addition, many...
Carbohydrates are your body's preferred source of energy. Certain carbs can help with digestion more than others. The key is in fiber content. According to the National Strength an Conditioning Association, high-fiber carbs help you maintain a...
The human body's digestion process is simultaneously complex and elegant in its simplicity. Each stage achieves a specific purpose with no extraneous steps or energy expended. Digestion may present challenges for those with gastrointestinal...
Vitamins and minerals are essential for every single function in your body, especially normal digestion. While almost all nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through your small intestine, some of them help with the breakdown of...
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic, or protein-digesting, enzymes found in pineapple. Bromelain breaks protein down into smaller segments, aiding digestion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, pineapple has been used for...
Numerous varieties of the beet exist, but most of them, aside from the mini and golden varieties, appear similar to the untrained eye. They all have hardy flesh, strong earthy flavor, bright red color and formidable nutritional value. Nutrition...
Not all bacteria cause disease. In fact, hundreds of species of bacteria in your gut – including species of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera – aid your body in digestion, according to the California Dairy Research...
Americans increasingly include particular foods in their diets to treat or prevent health disorders. Each system in the human body uses nutrients for maintaining normal biological functions. When your diet lacks a particular nutrient, these body...
Calcium is a mineral your body needs for many essential functions, including muscle control, creating blood-coagulating enzymes and maintaining bone density. It does not significantly improve your ability to digest other nutrients, however....
The digestive track is a system that breaks down food and separates valuable nutrients from waste so the nutrients can be absorbed by the body. The unneeded waste is eliminated. Yogurt cultures contain "good bacteriam" or probiotics, which are...
Beans, or legumes, are difficult to digest for many people, causing bloating and gas with abdominal discomfort. Although beans are high in protein and healthful nutrients, many people avoid them because of the reaction they have after eating them....
Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning that it digests protein so you can absorb the smaller building-block molecules of the protein you consume into the bloodstream. While carbohydrate is also made of smaller building blocks and must also be...
Your body produces enzymes to digest proteins, fats and carbohydrates into molecules small enough to be absorbed through your intestinal tract. Enzymes are also present in many foods and help in the digestive process by taking some of the burden...
Although eating nutritiously is essential to good health, it's not just about the food you consume. The proper digestion and absorption of food is just as important as the kind of food you eat. Digestion can be compromised by many things, ranging...
A healthy digestive system is imperative for good health and the prevention of diseases and disorders, including organ dysfunctions and irritable bowel syndrome. Poor nutrition can lead to common digestive upset, including symptoms such as...
According to USProbiotics.org, probiotics are living microorganisms that administer a health benefit on the host. Scientists have begun to understand the role of this healthy bacteria and the many benefits it brings to the body. Probiotics can be...
The process of digestion involves reducing the size of food particles until they are tiny enough for your small intestine to absorb. Your body's methods for decreasing food size include the mechanical action of chewing and the chemical action of...
Medicine that is used to speed up or improve digestion is often referred to as pancreatic extracts, digestive enzymes or HCl supplements. Fiber supplements in the form of pills or powders can also be used as a medicine to assist digestion, however...
Bloating and abdominal gas can be the result of diet, flu, food poisoning, gallbladder attacks or food allergies. Excess gas may produce pain and discomfort, especially if it becomes trapped in the intestines. Along with being embarrassing,...
The average American eats a diet low in fiber and high in fat, which may require periodic intestinal cleaning for optimal digestion. When your intestines are clean, your body is able to absorb nutrients in your food more easily. Villi are the...
When your intestines break down the food you eat, this causes gas — a normal part of the digestive process. Certain foods are more likely to cause gas than others, and if you experience frequent or excessive flatulence, making dietary...
Metabolism is the speed at which your body burns calories. The best way to boost your calorie-burning is to eat in a way that will make it easier for your body to digest food; you should also exercise and each day stay physically active in some...
Raw vegetables are one of the most abundant foods provided by Mother Nature. Rich in vitamins, minerals and natural enzymes, they are alkaline-forming in the body, contributing to overall good health. They are also a great source of fiber for...
Greens, or green leafy vegetables, are recommended for their rich nutrients and natural fiber to aid digestion. Try these tips for buying greens in this healthy shopping video.
Pregnant women have diet requirements for two, and many foods are great for healthy expecting moms. Try these tips for buying food for expectant mothers in this healthy shopping video.
Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. We all lack saliva from time to time, but a dry mouth can affect both your enjoyment of food and the health of your teeth. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of dry mouth in...
