Digestion - Focus on the Foundations
TLDR - The foundational recommendations are how you get to the source of your health problems. This digestion protocol will help speed up the process for gut specific issues, but the foundations are how you maintain digestive health.
Expanded
Your digestive issues have been caused by multiple factors, not just one. The goal is to restore your body, including your digestive system, to homeostasis. Once this balance is achieved, you'll be able to digest the foods your body is naturally designed to eat and follow the recommendations in my Diet post.
Stealing this analogy from my CIRS post, think of health as a tree. The roots represent the foundation of your health, and the branches and leaves symbolize various aspects of well being. If you nourish and support the roots, the entire tree flourishes and grows healthy. If the foundation is neglected, issues arise higher up in the tree (digestive issues). You could band aid the problematic branches and leaves with medications and supplements, but it's more effective to focus on strengthening the roots. This way you support the whole tree, ensuring overall health rather than just treating digestive symptoms.
Below are two key pieces of the foundations that will make significant impacts on your digestion.
Light Signaling
In my Light Signaling and Circadian Rhythm post, we discuss how humans have evolved to complete biological processes at specific times throughout the day through light signaling. This includes digestion. Below are specific impacts:
Morning Light Exposure: Getting sunlight exposure in the morning helps set the circadian clock, which regulates hormone production and digestive enzyme secretion.
Hormones: Proper light signaling helps regulate hormones such as cortisol and melatonin, which then influence digestive functions. Cortisol peaks in the morning, aiding in metabolism and digestion.
Calcium Absorption: Vitamin D (thought sunlight on the skin) is essential for calcium absorption in the gut. This is important for muscle contractions, including those of the digestive tract.
Immune Function: Adequate vitamin D levels support a healthy immune system, which can help prevent and manage gut inflammation and infections.
ATP Production: Natural light exposure helps optimize mitochondrial function, leading to better ATP (energy) production. This energy is important for all cellular processes, including those in the digestive system.
Red Light Therapy: About 54% of natural sunlight is infrared and about 30% of visible light is red. This red and near infrared light therapy can penetrate the skin and support mitochondrial health, enhancing cellular energy production and promoting healing in the digestive tract.
Mood and Digestion: Proper serotonin levels contribute to better mood and mental health, which are closely linked to digestive health.
Gene Expression: Light exposure influences the expression of circadian genes that regulate digestive enzyme production. Proper timing of enzyme release ensures efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.
Stress
My Stress Impact on Bodily Processes post we discuss how stress can significantly impact our circadian rhythm and autonomic processes. If these processes are disrupted, this can significantly impact digestive health. Read through the linked post for more details.