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The small intestine is continuous with the stomach at the pyloric

sphincter and has a length of 16-19 inches (5-6 meters). It leads

into the large intestine, which is about 43/4 inches (1-11/2 meters)

long. The small intestine secretes intestinal juice to complete

digestion of carbohydrates, protein and fats. It also absorbs

nutrient materials necessary for nourishing and maintaining the body,

and protects it against infection by microbes that have survived the

anti-microbial action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

When acid food (chyme) from the stomach enters the duodenum it is

first mixed with bile and pancreatic juice, and then with intestinal

juice. Gallstones in the liver and gallbladder drastically reduce

secretion of bile, which weakens the ability of pancreatic enzymes to

digest carbohydrates, protein and fat. This, in turn, restrains the

small intestine from properly absorbing the nutrient components of

these foods (e.g., monosaccharides from carbohydrates, amino acids

from protein, and fatty acids and glycerol from fats).

Since the presence of bile in the intestines is essential for the

absorption of fats, calcium and Vitamin K, gallstones can lead to

life-threatening diseases, such as heart disease, osteoporosis and

cancer. The liver uses the fat-soluble Vitamin K to produce the

compounds responsible for the clotting of blood. In case of poor

Vitamin K absorption, hemorrhagic disease may result. This vitamin

cannot be adequately absorbed, if there is any problem with fat

digestion, due to lack of bile, pancreatic lipase, and a certain

amount of pancreatic fat. For the latter reason, following a low-fat

diet can endanger one's life. Calcium is essential for the hardening

of bone and teeth, the coagulation of blood and the mechanism of

muscle contraction. What applies to Vitamin K also applies to all

other fat-soluble vitamins, including Vitamin A, E and D. Vitamin A

and carotene are also only absorbed sufficiently from the small

intestine if fat absorption is normal. If Vitamin A absorption is

inefficient, the epithelial cells become damaged. These cells form an

essential part of all the organs, blood vessels, lymph vessels, etc.

in the body. Vitamin A is also necessary to maintain healthy eyes and

protect against or reduce microbial infection. Vitamin D is essential

for calcification of bones and teeth. It may be noted at this point

that supplementing these vitamins does not resolve the problem of

deficiency. To sum up, without normal bile secretions, these vitamins

are not digested and absorbed properly, and therefore, can cause

considerable damage to the lymphatic and urinary systems.

Inadequately digested foods tend to ferment and putrefy in the small

and large intestines. They attract a vast number of bacteria to help

speed up the process of decomposition. The breakdown products are

often very toxic and so are the chemicals produced by the bacteria.

All of this strongly irritates the mucous lining, which is one of the

body's foremost defense lines against disease-causing agents. Regular

exposure to these toxins impairs the body's immune system, 60% of

which is located in the intestines. Overburdened by a constant influx

of toxins, the small and large intestines may be afflicted with a

number of disorders, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal gas,

Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, hernias,

polyps, dysentery, appendicitis, volvulus, intussusceptions, as well

as benign and malignant tumors.

Ample bile flow maintains good digestion and absorption of food, and

has a strong cleansing action throughout the intestinal tract. Every

part of the body depends on the basic nutrients made available

through the digestive system, as well as the efficient removal of

waste products from the digestive system. Gallstones in the liver and

gallbladder considerably disrupt both of these vital processes.

Therefore, they can be held accountable for most, if not all, of the

different kinds of ailments that can afflict the body. Removal of

gallstones helps to normalize the digestive and eliminative

functions, improve cell metabolism and maintain balance throughout

the body.

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