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The small intestine is a great workhorse in the digestive system. Many complex chemical actions important in the digestive process take place in this area. If there is a problem in the stomach, because of too little hydrochloric acid, the first phase of protein digestion is decreased. A relative hypoproteinemia (lack of protein in the blood stream) develops. These lowered protein levels cause the body to go into a "protein sparing" effect, which means that the body reduces its use of protein to make new tissue and other items normally manufactured from protein. Digestive enzymes are made from protein, so if you lack protein––the digestive enzymes become weak and cannot digest and absorb protein. A vicious circle develops.

When digestion is poor, whether in the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, the body fails to break food down into small parts for absorption. The food becomes putrid when this occurs, and gases can form. This causes the bloated gaseous feeling and rumbling a person may experience when the digestive system in not functioning correctly. This is not just an uncomfortable situation; it is a situation in which the body fails to absorb nutrients for the processes of life. A person can eat nutritious food, but if his/her digestive system fails to break it down and use it properly, nutritional deficiency can result, leading to disease.

There is a valve, the ileocecal valve, which controls passage of the small intestine's contents into the large intestine. This valve can dysfunction in two ways. The most common is the "open valve syndrome". LetÕs call the small intestines, the kitchen area of the body and the large intestines, the garbage area. If the ileocecal valve does not adequately control the flow of material, the small intestine becomes contaminated, because the material that passed into the large intestines regurgitates into the small intestine. In essence, the garbage area contaminates the kitchen area. The body becomes toxic and any weak areas, such as the hip joint, heart, or sinuses can develop symptoms.

The "closed syndrome" is where the ileocecal valve becomes spastic and doesn't allow material to pass from the small intestine to the large intestine. Food becomes putrid in the small intestine, and toxic material is again absorbed by the body.

Many people suffer from constipation. When waste material stays in the colon for a long period, eventually the body reabsorbs toxic material. Many times this is the first phase of more significant problems, such as colitis, diverticulosis, and diverticulitis.

Many factors are involved in normal colon function. Necessary for normal bowel activity are: adequate water, an irritant, and adequate bulk. Most laxative preparations are based on one or more of these basic ingredients. Also, the nervous system helps to control bowel activity.

Whenever digestive dysfunction is apparent, it should be evaluated and corrected immediately––if left alone, there is evidence that colon stasis can lead to colon cancer. Arthritis can develop from tissues not repaired adequately at the joint surfaces, because of a lack of protein. Ulcerative colitis can develop and progress to where surgical removal of colon portions become necessary.

To prevent these and other serious consequences of digestive imbalance, it is important that the condition be corrected early, rather than just treating the symptoms with patent medications. A doctor trained in Applied Kinesiology can locate and correct the causes of faulty digestion.

Dr. Susan Bobak is director of the Healing Arts Center of Covina and a Chiropractor since 1982. (626) 859-6480

646 East Eremland • Covina • CA (Just south of Rowland, between Citrus & Barranca)