The stomach is one of the most important organs of the body. It receives and prepares the food, which in turn
nourishes every organ and tissue of the body. The food that we eat makes the blood. If the blood is impure or
loaded with toxins, then the whole organism is affected.
Without good, rich blood the heart becomes weak, the liver becomes obstructed, the kidneys are overburdened
and other organs are endangered. When one organ does not properly function, it tries to pass the burden on to
the next. Properly caring for the stomach is then a great concern for everyone; we need to know what and how to
eat to prolong life and prevent sickness.
Many structures and tissues of the body are constructed from the food we eat. The proper preparing and
assimilation of food must occur for the nourishment of the tissues. First, the mouth releases saliva to mix with the
food to partially digest it. To get the full benefits, chewing aids in digestion and causes an increase in the release
of saliva.
All food must be thoroughly masticated (chewed) to make it moist and fine enough to swallow. Rapid eating is a
source of dyspepsia or heartburn. When food enters the stomach, it excites a churning motion, which reduces the
food and mingles with the digestive or gastric fluids. The odor of pleasant food or sipping some agreeable fluids
or chewing gum will excite the glands of the stomach to produce gastric juices.
To chill the stomach will retard digestion; while heat such as soup, will aid digestion. Foods which are not
digested, ferment and cause gas or worse, toxins. This distends the stomach and causes pressure against the
lungs and heart, producing symptoms often mistaken for a heart attack. These irritating, fermenting, substances
also weaken the walls of the stomach.
After food has been chewed in the mouth, acted upon by the digestive juices of the stomach, it enters the
intestines to complete digestion. Beneath the stomach is the pancreas, which creates pancreatic fluid into the
small intestines, which mingles with the food. Also, there is bile from the liver, which stimulates the bowels, keeps
the food alkaline and moist and prevents fermentation.
Digestion is a complicated procedure, which allows food to be absorbed and carried as blood to all tissues of the
body, to nourish and supply the necessary material to carry on life.
There are a variety of tissues in the body, so to supply and maintain them a variety of foods must be eaten. The
body needs proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, salt, mineral salts, vitamins, enzymes and more to properly
function.
| The Stomach |