Your digestive health plays a critical role in your overall well-being. When your gut is
functioning properly, your body absorbs essential nutrients efficiently, allowing you to stay
energized, healthy, and resilient. However, when your digestion is compromised, even the
healthiest diet or supplements may fall short.
On The AzureWell Podcast, Susan Booth interviews Dr. Alphonzo Monzo, ND shares valuable insights on how maintaining a healthy gut can be a wholistic approach to wellness.
Common Digestive Issues and Their Causes
Many common digestive problems stem from nutritional deficiencies, poor diet choices, and
imbalances in digestive enzymes. Dr. Monzo emphasizes that addressing these root causes,
including lack of key nutrients and enzyme deficiencies, is crucial for restoring digestive
balance and improving nutrient absorption.
Nutritional Deficiencies
A lack of essential nutrients, like sodium, magnesium, and calcium, hinders the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes, leading to poor digestion and nutrient absorption.
Lack of Enzymes, HCL, and Digestive Juices
Your body relies on enzymes, HCL, and bile to break down food. Deficiencies can cause incomplete digestion, leading to bloating and discomfort.
Bad Foods
Highly processed foods and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms or Bioengineered Foods) can disrupt digestion. Without the proper enzymes, your body struggles to break down these foods, which can then cause reactions to foods.
Toxins and Terrain Imbalance
Toxins from processed foods or poor lifestyle habits can imbalance your gut’s internal environment, leading to inflammation and poor digestion.
Microbiome Imbalance
Good vs. Bad Bacteria: An imbalance between good and bad bacteria in your gut, due to poor diet or antibiotics, can lead to bloating, constipation, and nutrient malabsorption.
Lack of Movement
Peristalsis, the muscle contractions that move food through your digestive tract, may slow down if you are sedentary and don't get regular physical movement. This can lead to constipation and toxin buildup.
Critters: Parasites, Fungus, and Harmful Bacteria
Parasites, fungi, and harmful bacteria can disrupt digestion and cause issues like bloating and nutrient deficiencies. Detoxing can help prevent these problems.
Key Functions of the Digestive System
Each organ in the digestive system plays a specific role in ensuring proper nutrient absorption. According to Dr. Monzo, the stomach, liver, pancreas, and intestines are integral to the process, and their proper functioning is essential for maintaining overall health and digestion.
Mouth & Salivary Glands
Digestion begins in the mouth, where chewing breaks down food and saliva starts the digestive process by releasing enzymes.
Stomach
The stomach uses hydrochloric acid (HCL) to break down food and prepare it for nutrient
absorption in the small intestine.
Liver
The liver produces bile to break down fats and detoxifies harmful substances, supporting
digestion and metabolism.
Gallbladder
The gallbladder stores bile and releases it into the small intestine when fats need to be
digested.
Pancreas
The pancreas produces enzymes and bicarbonate to help digest proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates and regulates blood sugar with insulin.
Small Intestine
The small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption, breaking down food into
simpler forms with the help of enzymes and bile.
Large Intestine/Colon/Anus
The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from waste material and houses bacteria that aid in digestion before eliminating waste.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Gut Wellness
Simple lifestyle changes can make a huge difference in gut health. Dr. Monzo advocates for
mindful eating habits, such as thoroughly chewing food, avoiding processed meals, and
choosing real, natural foods, all of which can significantly improve digestion and nutrient
uptake.
Salt Your Food – Use Real Salt!
Real salt, like sea salt or Himalayan Pink Salt or Baja Gold Salt (Dr. Monzo's favorite), helps produce hydrochloric acid (HCL), which is necessary for breaking down food.
Chew, Chew, Chew!
Chewing food thoroughly starts digestion, triggering enzymes and making food easier for the stomach to process.
Avoid Carbonated or Alkaline Water During Meals
Carbonated or alkaline water disrupts the stomach’s acidity, reducing the effectiveness of HCL in breaking down food. Stay hydrated between meals instead.
Avoid GMO Foods and Highly Processed Foods
These foods are difficult to digest and can cause inflammation. Stick to whole, natural foods to promote gut health.
Learn What Your Body Likes – Maintain Balance
Everyone’s digestive system is different. Pay attention to what foods make you feel good and identify potential sensitivities through elimination diets.
Do Simple Cleanses – Focus on Toxins and Critters
Regular detoxing helps eliminate toxins and harmful organisms that can disrupt digestion and gut health.
Support Good Gut Bacteria
Probiotics, found in supplements or fermented foods, help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, improving digestion and nutrient absorption.
Hydration and Movement
Staying hydrated and engaging in regular physical activity helps stimulate peristalsis, preventing constipation and keeping digestion moving smoothly.
Supplements for Digestive Health
When digestion is impaired, supplements can provide crucial support. Dr. Monzo
recommends using digestive enzymes, probiotics, and other digestive aids to support the
body’s ability to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste efficiently.
Digestive Enzymes
For those with low stomach acid or inadequate enzyme production, supplementation can make a big difference in digestion and nutrient absorption.
AzureWell offers a range of supplements designed to support the body's natural digestive processes, including:
Stomach Soothing Support: For sensitive stomachs, helps calm and reduce minor discomfort.
Dual Purpose Proteolytic Enzymes: Breaks down proteins, including gluten, and cleanses the body.
Digestive Aid Betaine HCL: Optimizes stomach pH and supports digestion after meals.
Pepsin HCL Catalyst: Works to support the natural functions of hydrochloric acid for better digestion.
Mid-Meal Every Meal Digestive Enzymes: A vegetarian enzyme formula for comprehensive digestion.
Incorporating these supplements into your daily routine can help support the body's natural digestive processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is gut health so important?
Gut health is essential for nutrient absorption, immune function, and overall wellness. A
healthy gut allows your body to better fight infections, regulate energy, and maintain overall health.
2. What causes poor digestion?
Poor digestion can be caused by a range of factors, including nutritional deficiencies, poor diet, and enzyme insufficiency. Addressing these causes can improve digestion and overall health.
3. How can I improve my digestion naturally?
To improve digestion naturally, focus on chewing food thoroughly, staying hydrated, eating in a calm environment, and avoiding processed foods. Supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics can also support gut health.
4. Are supplements necessary for gut health?
Supplements can be particularly helpful for those with poor digestion, enzyme deficiencies, or imbalanced gut flora. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and detox cleanses can all support normal, healthy digestion and overall gut health.
5. How do probiotics help digestion?
Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria into the gut, supporting the balance of the microbiome, which helps with digestion, immune function, and supporting a healthy inflammatory response in the gut.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any diet, exercise, supplementation, or lifestyle changes, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking any medications. The opinions expressed by podcast guests/interviewees and AzureWell are their own and are based on their research and interpretation of available scientific information. The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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