FOOD COMBOS FOR OPTIMAL DIGESTION

People have gotten so used to indigestion that we consider it virtually a normal way of life, routinely tolerating stomach aches, cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation and the like. However, this need not be the case, and there are steps you can take to reverse this trend without use of antacids and other pharmaceuticals. According to Daily Health News contributing editor, Andrew L. Rubman, ND, how you put your meals together greatly influences their digestibility. In this month’s Rubman’s Digestion Connection, we tackle the science of combining foods for better digestion and absorption.

DIFFERENT TIMETABLES FOR DIGESTION

Every day we eat a variety of foods containing proteins, carbohydrates and fats from meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, etc. The body requires food diversity to meet its needs, explains Dr. Rubman. Yet each category of food requires different enzymes to digest them, and each category has its own timetable of digestion. This means that in order to achieve optimal digestibility and absorption, it is essential to monitor food combinations.

THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

Fortunately, there are just a few simple rules to follow in order to correctly combine foods. Dr. Rubman advises…
Do not combine simple carbohydrates with highly saturated fats. Simple carbohydrates for example, from processed and refined sugars and from sugars in fruits (fructose), tend to be high-glycemic foods, meaning that, when eaten alone, they quickly raise blood glucose levels. In contrast, saturated fats such as those in red meat or processed meats, may take up to four hours to digest.

The digestive process slows down for a time during this period, which allows potentially dangerous microorganisms in food the opportunity to feed on the carbohydrates which can lead to the infiltration of the digestive tract lining (or leaky gut syndrome) and cause digestive disturbances. The problem is especially pronounced for those who have insufficient stomach acid due to stress, aging or medication.