Human Health & the Things We Eat

The human digestive system is a complex network that goes beyond food digestion, functioning as an essential conduit for nutrient absorption and subsequent physiological functions. Nutrients are predominantly absorbed in the small intestine by specific processes that target various chemical components during digestion. Carbohydrates are converted into simple sugars such as glucose, fructose, and galactose, which are absorbed into the bloodstream by specialized intestinal transporters. Proteins are degraded into amino acids and short peptides, which are absorbed by sodium-dependent and peptide transporters in intestinal cells. Fats, emulsified by bile and enzymatically degraded by lipases, are absorbed via passive diffusion and then conveyed into lymphatic veins. Vitamins and minerals exhibit unique absorption mechanisms, with water-soluble forms directly entering the bloodstream and fat-soluble forms being absorbed in conjunction with dietary lipids.

Upon absorption, these nutrients trigger a series of essential physiological processes vital to human metabolism and equilibrium. Metabolic transformations convert nutrients into energy or needed biomolecules, with glucose undergoing glycolysis for energy production and amino acids creating proteins required for cellular functioning. Nutrient surplus is systematically saved for future use: glucose is converted to glycogen in hepatic and muscular tissues, while lipids are deposited in adipose tissues. The liver concurrently executes a vital detoxifying function, metabolizing ingested nutrients and transforming potentially deleterious chemicals into excretable molecules. The gut microbiome additionally influences these processes by engaging with the immune system, aiding in the regulation of immune responses and thwarting pathogenic invasions.

Gut health is a crucial element in sustaining these complex physiological processes. A diversified microbiome enhances the digestion of complex carbohydrates, synthesizes vital vitamins, and generates short-chain fatty acids that support gut cells and provide anti-inflammatory effects. The integrity of the gut lining greatly affects nutrient absorption efficiency, as a balanced bacterial environment prevents heightened intestinal permeability that may induce inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, gut bacteria have a complex influence on hormonal control, including the synthesis of appetite-related hormones and metabolic functions. The training and control of the immune system are closely associated with gut health, as the digestive tract contains a significant number of immune cells that acquire the ability to distinguish between hazardous pathogens and benign bacteria.

The processes subsequent to nutrient absorption are essential for human vitality, including energy production, cellular growth, repair mechanisms, detoxification, and immunological function. Medical professionals repeatedly assert that sustaining excellent gut health through consumption of proper nutrients is essential to maintaining the critical processes of your body including healing and maintaining a robust immune system.

Many pharmaceuticals prescribed orally have an effect our gut biome in significant ways. Our gut biome is the first line of processing the nutrients the human body ingests which effect many processes in the human body. Many doctors do not learn about nutrition in college but instead learn how to prescribe many of these pharmaceuticals. We have learned by experience, there is currently no incentive for big pharma to change - until now, there has seemingly not even been an opportunity due to the corporate capture of our politicians.

Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) and Robert Kennedy Jr. aim to change that in the Trump Administration and we fully support this effort.