• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Heather Cooan logo
  • My Story
  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Services
  • Success Stories
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • My Story
  • Recipes
  • Articles
  • Resources
  • Services
  • Success Stories
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • My Story
    • Recipes
    • Articles
    • Resources
    • Services
    • Success Stories
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Articles » Nutritional Therapies

    Digestive Dysfunction: The Long-Term Impact

    Published: Sep 17, 2020 · Modified: Nov 1, 2020 by Heather Cooan, MBA, NTP, FDN-P, ONC · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Many people struggle with digestive dysfunction today and the long-term impact of digestive dysfunction can show up in all kinds of places you would never associate with digestion. Remember, digestion is a major nutritional foundation for optimal health and when it's not working, things can get weird.

    Symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, gas, and bloating are so common that we actually think they are normal. These symptoms are not normal and are your body's way of alerting you that something is not working correctly.

    It's critically important for us to pay attention to these signals and make corrections. We really are what we can absorb and if you are not digesting food correctly and absorbing nutrients for an extended period of time, dysfunction will start to show up in other bodily systems including the Endocrine, Immune, Cardiovascular, and Detoxification systems.

    Endocrine System Disruption

    If you're experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance, you may be dealing with the downstream effects of the long-term impact of digestive dysfunction.

    Often times, a major source of digestive dysfunction is a lack of stomach acid. Hypochlorhydria is the medical term for a low level of stomach acid. People with hypochlorhydria may experience digestive issues, nutritional deficiencies, and gastrointestinal infections.

    Yup, even if you're dealing with heartburn, you may actually be short on stomach acid. If there isn't enough stomach acid available digestion is decreased and food can begin to ferment and cause bloating and start pushing through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This phenomenon is called Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) and is the main mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). (1)

    Without enough stomach acid, it's difficult to break down your food completely. If you aren't able to break down your food and cleve the peptides of the proteins you ingest into their individual amino acids you can’t make amine or peptide/protein hormones which include (2):

    • Adrenaline
    • Histamine
    • Aldosterone
    • Melatonin
    • Human Growth Hormone
    • Insulin
    • Glucagon
    • Seratonin
    • Cholecystokinin
    • Gastrin
    • Anti-Diuretic Hormones
    • Oxytocin

    These hormones are involved in digestion (cholecystokinin, gastrin), stress response (adrenaline). blood sugar regulation (insulin, glucagon), mood and sleep (oxytocin, histamine, serotonin, melatonin), and the list goes on.

    If you are suffering from inflammation and are having a tough time tracking down the source, this could also be due to prolonged digestive dysfunction.

    The liver and gallbladder are major players in the role of digestion. They are both required to break down fats into fatty acids, which are required to create eicosanoid hormones for proper management of inflammation. (2)

    Not only are you at risk for not having the building blocks available for producing steroid hormones, but all of the above are stressors on the body and too much stress can cascade into an imbalance of steroid hormones as well as dysfunction in other areas including additional digestive distress, inflammation, and immune function. (3)

    Image Source: Dr. Dorine Karlin, ND, LAc - Well Being Medical Center

    Immune System Disruption

    I'm sure you've heard that at least 70% of our immune system is located in our gut. This seems to be common knowledge as we continue to learn more about the immune system and the role the gut plays in immunity.

    So you can imagine, how critical proper digestion is for immune health. Some of the same concepts we discussed concerning the endocrine system apply here.

    Inability to break down food correctly as well as liver and gallbladder health can negatively impact the immune system in several ways, all of which, add additional stress to the body (4):

    • Adequate protein assimilation is required for healthy immune function.
    • Micronutrient co-factor deficiencies can lead to suppressed immunity.
    • Healthy liver and gallbladder functions are critical for optimal complement protein production, energy production, and elimination of immune products (such as antigen-antibody complexes).

    The biggest contributors to immune system dysfunction are dysbiosis and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut). (4)

    • Inadequate hydrochloric acid and pepsin production leave partially digested or undigested food particles that can set the body up for food reactions or allow harmful microbes to survive and reproduce.
    • Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine can damage the mucosal lining allowing material from inside the gut to leak out into the bloodstream and trigger an immune response.
    • Bacterial overgrowth in the large intestine can crowd out good bacteria leaving an imbalance or dysbiosis.

    Read about the Effects of Sugar on The Immune System

    Cardiovascular System Disruption

    Cardiovascular dysfunction is another area that prolonged digestive dysfunction can effect. When it comes to heart health and nutrition, you may still think that fat is bad for the heart, but that's actually never been true and recent literature is slowly setting the story straight on fat. (5)

    Proper digestion and assimilation of nutrients are critical to cardiovascular function for the following reasons (5, 6):

    • Fatty acids are the preferred fuel source for the heart.
    • The heart utilizes amino acids like taurine and carnitine.
    • Vitamins and minerals like calcium and B vitamins are required for healthy heart function. Calcium is responsible for muscle contractions and the heart is just one big muscle!
    • Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins D and K2 are necessary for proper absorption and utilization of calcium.
    • Proper bowel flora is needed to produce vitamins B1, B2, B12, and K2.

    If any of these are compromised, additional stress is put on the body contributing to the stress cascade as well as directly affecting the cardiovascular system.

    Detoxification System Disruption

    Detoxification is yet another area that prolonged digestive dysfunction can impact and in today's environment, proper detoxification is critical to good health!

    We live in a very toxic world. Our body has to deal with environmental toxins, pesticides, chemicals, plastics, and contaminants in water, food, personal care and cleaning products. Everyday existance means a constact assault on our detoxification systems.

    Proper breakdown and assimilation of food is critical, especially fat and protein.

    Specific amino acids play imperative roles in the proper functioning of detoxification pathways in the liver. Specifically, methionine is necessary to run the sulfation pathway, one of the six detoxification pathways that are necessary to break down and remove toxins from the body. If this process is compromised, we may be unable to eliminate toxins, putting additional stress on the body. (8)

    Our lymphatic system is a major player in detoxification and it's also where fatty acids are transported. Poor fat digestion clogs the lymphatic system, and therefore the liver. (8)

    The liver is the primary organ responsible for many detoxification processes. Proper bile flow is also critical as bile is a river by which toxins are removed from the body via the intestinal tract. (8)

    So, maybe that heartburn, bloating, or gas is not so normal after-all. Ignoring digestive dysfunction can really cost you in the long-run. Make the space to listen to your body and correct issues before they lead to bigger problems.

    References

    1. Kim, H. I., Hong, S. J., Han, J. P., Seo, J. Y., Hwang, K. H., Maeng, H. J., Lee, T. H., & Lee, J. S. (2013). Specific movement of esophagus during transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in gastroesophageal reflux disease. Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility, 19(3), 332–337. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm.2013.19.3.332
    2. Schwartz TB. Henry Harrower and the turbulent beginnings of endocrinology. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131(9):702-706. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-131-9-199911020-00012
    3. Gottfried, S., & Northrup, C. (2014a). Perimenopause: your own personal global warming crisis, hypervigilance, and tighter jeans. In The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep and Sex Drive; Lose Weight; Feel Focused, Vital, and Energized Naturally with the Gottfried Protocol (Reprint ed., pp. 62–63).
    4. Kau, A., Ahern, P., Griffin, N., Goodman, A., & Gordon, J. (2011). Human nutri*on, the gut microbiome and the immune system. PubMed, 327-36.
    5. Astrup, A., Magkos, F., Bier, D. M., Brenna, J. T., Otto, M. C., Hill, J. O., . . . Krauss, R. M. (2020). Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 76(7), 844-857. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.077
    6. Boundless. (n.d.). Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. Retrieved September 10, 2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ap/chapter/cardiac-muscle-tissue/
    7. Astrup, A., Magkos, F., Bier, D. M., Brenna, J. T., Otto, M. C., Hill, J. O., . . . Krauss, R. M. (2020). Saturated Fats and Health: A Reassessment and Proposal for Food-Based Recommendations. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 76(7), 844-857. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.077
    8. Cline JC. Nutritional aspects of detoxification in clinical practice. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21(3):54-62.

    Nutritional Therapies

    • Variety of beans, grains, and fruit on a table.
      Food Sensitivity, Intolerance, or Allergy?
    • Knife and fork with black handle sitting on a wooden cutting board surrounded by cheese, garlic, avocado, steak, salmon, tomatoes, green beans, and spices.
      The Six Stages of Ketosis
    • Grilled T-bone steak topped with pomegranate seeds plated on a black plate with grilled fennel, a slice of brei cheese, and a side salad with fork and knife.
      Nutritional vs. Therapeutic Ketosis
    • sliced sourdough bread loaf
      Sourdough Health Benefits
    0 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Tell Me What You Think

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Heather Cooan - Nutrition Consulting, Counseling, and Education

    Hi, I'm Heather! I’m a Functional Nutritionist and Educator helping women suffering from autoimmunity and cancer take control of their health and care through education, data-driven nutritional therapy, and strategic lifestyle design.

    More about me →

    WARM WINTER RECIPES

    • Homemade chicken soup in the crockpot
      Homemade Chicken Soup (GFDF, Keto, Paleo, AIP, Whole30)
    • Shiitake Noodle Pho
      Shirataki Noodle Pho (Keto, Paleo, GFDF, Whole30, Low-Iron)
    • Venison chili in the crockpot.
      End of The World Venison Chili (Keto, Whole30, Paleo, GFDF)
    • Turkey Stew
      Turkey Stew (GFDF, Keto, Paleo, AIP, Whole30, Low Iron)

    POPULAR RECIPES

    • One dozen keto pumpkin spice muffins stacked on a green plate.
      Keto Pumpkin Spice Muffins
    • Gluten-Free Sourdough Chocolate Chunk Cookies
    • pickle wheels - pickle, cream cheese, ham
      Pickle Wheels (Keto, GF, Low Iron)
    • Vanilla cupcakes on white wood background
      Vanilla Frosted Buttercream Cupcakes (GFDF, Keto, Low-Iron)
    • Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce
      Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce (Keto, GF, Vegetarian, Low-Iron)
    • Roast Duck (Keto, Paleo, GFDF, AIP, Whole30)

    LATEST POSTS

    • Variety of beans, grains, and fruit on a table.
      Food Sensitivity, Intolerance, or Allergy?
    • Side profile of a digital man breathing in green pollen particles on a blue and white background.
      Histamine Intolerance an Overview
    • Knife and fork with black handle sitting on a wooden cutting board surrounded by cheese, garlic, avocado, steak, salmon, tomatoes, green beans, and spices.
      The Six Stages of Ketosis
    • female compounding pharmacist holding mortar and pestle with male pharmacist in the background
      Low-Dose Naltrexone for Cancer and Autoimmune Disease

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of Use
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Accessibility Policy

    Let's Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Subscribe for Recipes and Updates

    My Amazon Favorites

    Work With Me

    • Functional Nutrition Services
    • Contact Us
    • Media and Press

    Disclaimer All information on this website and in HDC Media products, services, meal plans, and content is general information. Nothing on the website or any HDC Media content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

    Affiliate Disclosure Many outgoing links on HeatherCooan.com are affiliate links. If you purchase a product after clicking an affiliate link, I receive a small percentage of the sale for referring you, at no extra cost to you. HDC Media is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2022 Functional Nutrition Consultant - Heather Cooan

    We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

    You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

    Heather Cooan
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.