The digestive system is a complex piece of engineering that powers the entire body. It is home to the major component of the immune system and it is where nutrients, vitamins and minerals are absorbed. Understanding how your digestive process works can help you keep it running smoothly... for a lifetime of intestinal health.
The Digestive Process
Your intestinal tract is comprised of your stomach, small intestine and large intestine, or colon. However, digestion actually begins in your mouth where saliva and chewing helps break down food into smaller pieces for easy passage to the esophagus.
The Connection of Bacterial Balance to Digestive Health
The digestive system is home to over 400 species of bacteria. In fact, you have more bacterial cells in your digestive system than cells in your entire body. That's why maintaining a healthy level of beneficial bacteria is vital to your health.*
Through waves of contractions, known as peristalsis, food passes toward the stomach. This is where digestion truly starts and where Sustenex® begins to take action.
STOMACH
- Powerful muscles churn swallowed food into smaller and smaller pieces.
- Gastric juices, rich in acid and enzymes, break down food even further.
- Beneficial and harmful bacteria are destroyed in the process.
Bacterial & Probiotic Influence
The biggest challenge to probiotic bacteria is surviving the harsh stomach environment to reach their primary target - the small intestine. The bacteria in many capsules, tablets and yogurts don't survive the stomach's acidic environment to populate the intestines; thus providing minimal health benefits.*
The Action of Sustenex®
The probiotic bacteria in Sustenex® are protected by a hardened layer of organic material which allows it to withstand the stomach's hostile gastric environment.
SMALL INTESTINE
- Longest portion of the digestive system
- Primary site for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients
- Bile and digestive enzymes destroy beneficial bacteria that are critical to proper digestion
Bacterial & Probiotic Influence
Probiotics/beneficial bacteria promote digestive balance by maintaining a proper ratio of flora* (bacteria).
The Action of Sustenex®
After surviving the stomach's acidity in considerable numbers, Sustenex® arrives where your body needs it most - the intestines. The bacteria in Sustenex® then populate and colonize the small intestine, helping support and maintain bacterial balance in your digestive tract.*
LARGE INTESTINE
- Otherwise known as the colon or bowel
- Final section of the digestive tract where semi-digestible food undergoes the final stage of digestion
Bacterial & Probiotic Influence
Resident bacteria help break down the remaining semi-digested food.
The Action of Sustenex®
Sustenex® helps re-populate the large intestine with essential beneficial bacteria.*
The probiotics delivered in Sustenex® help replenish the beneficial bacteria and balance your digestive system.*
For better health, choose Sustenex® daily.
Links for more information on digestion:
National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
American Gastroenterological Association
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
World Health Organization
Sustenex®. For Every Body, Every Day.
