DETOX - Day 13
PHASE TWO
Optimal Performance
The digestive process is a precisely designed mechanism comparable in its intricacy to a meticulously engineered automobile. BMW recommends premium fuel and regular maintenance for optimal performance. Similarly, Ayurveda says optimal wellness can be achieved with high quality food, regular exercise and adequate rest.
The food combination principles account for the capacity of the digestive system to handle various quantities and qualities of food. The digestive system was not designed to handle nonstop large, heavy, complex meals, as are commonly eaten in Western societies. In addition, the Western habit of snacking places continual stress on the digestive system, with inadequate down time for it to recuperate. Overworking the digestive system in this manner can cause blockages, resulting in undigested food that putrefies and ferments, which leads to gas, bloating and the potential accumulation of ama.
We can relate the ayurvedic principles of food combination to the modern scientific understanding of the biochemical digestion process, first introduced by Ivan Pavlov. Digestion begins when we smell the aroma of food and the salivary glands initiate secretions. As food enters the mouth, we begin to chew, which serves three main functions:
It breaks down food into small particles that enzymes can further process downstream (ideally we should chew until the food is liquefied)
It mixes the amylase enzymes in saliva with the food particles to start digesting starches.
It alerts the stomach to begin secreting digestive enzymes in anticipation of incoming food
Different foods require different enzymes to break them into tiny molecules suitable for assimilation into the bloodstream. These enzymes require a specific pH environment for proper functioning, and the enzymes will not be released until the pH has been regulated to the appropriate level. There must be the right amount of acid in the stomach and the right amount of time must be spent in each phase of digestion.
While there have been no comprehensive modern studies of specific food combinations on digestion, absorption and elimination , we do know the following:
Poor digestion of starches results in fermentation, causing gas and bloating.
Poor digestion of fats results in high levels of fat in the stool, which can lead to the loss of fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K.
Poor digestion of proteins results in short-chain polypeptides being absorbed to the bloodstream, where they can mimic the action of hormones and cytokines (chemical messengers). This interferes with normal biochemistry, potentially activating the immune system and leading to food allergies and/or autoimmunity.
Poor digestion can result in malabsorption (food being eliminated as waste without proper assimilation of nutrients). This deprives the body of necessary nutrients and leads to anemia and other nutrient deficiencies.
