Absorbing Nutrients is More Important Than Eating Nutrients

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Having a "clean" diet over the long-term gives us increased energy, improved physical appearance and fewer symptoms of illness. We love to have that so we can enjoy a busy life full of meaningful activities, right?

But consuming a balanced diet is not enough. Even if you are eating the right food in the right amounts, you may not benefit from the nutrients, because nutrients aren't technically in our body until they have been Absorbed. That's why it's so important to understand how absorption works.

Food that we eat gets broken down by the hydrochloric acid and enzymes (protease, lipase and amylase) in our stomach into smaller molecules that then make their way into our upper intestine before entering the bloodstream, which delivers nutrients to the body organs.

The 2 types of nutrients absorbed are:

a) Macronutrients which are derived from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They are foods that power your body directly.

b) Micronutrients are derived from vitamins and minerals. They are vital to the process of enabling the release of fuel from macronutrients.

Nutrients pass into the bloodstream through:

a) Passive diffusion, like pouring liquid over a piece of cloth. Most vitamins are absorbed in this way.

b) Active transport absorption, where nutrients need an assistant / molecule to help carry them pass the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. Calcium and magnesium are delivered in this manner.

Without sufficient absorption, nutrients can't be utilised maximally. So even if you diligently follow food serving sizes, it is not an accurate measurement of how much nutrients you are actually getting.

Your body naturally aims to achieve homeostasis - a balance. You body will only take in nutrients that are insufficient until homeostasis is achieved.

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The good news is there are things you can do to optimise the benefits of your food.
Here are 6 tips on how to boost your nutrients absorption:

1) To counter the stress that wreaks havoc on our wellbeing, consume a balanced and high-fibre diet. Supplement with Jia Hor Fiber if you are unable to consume up to 1 kg of vege a day.

2) Exercise at least 3 times a week, as it is the perfect way to get your blood circulating, de-stress and feel better mentally.

3) Substantially reduce smoking and consumption of alcohol.

4) Educate yourself on what food combination to consume which can increase the efficiency of nutrient absorption. For example, mixing raw or semi-cooked vege with olive oil or avocado can help our body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K more effectively. Or combining vitamin C with iron-rich foods will enhance the mineral's absorption. To ensure you have sufficient quality micro-nutrients, take 2 sachets of Yung Kien Pollen everyday, as each grain contains up to 200 types of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

5) Strengthen your gut health. A normal gut contains about 1.5 kg of bacteria, including lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. They play an important role in breaking down food molecules and harnessing that energy for storage and usage. Supplement with a high grade probiotics called Lactoberry which gives you up to 40 billion good bacteria per sachet.

6) Manage your stress level, as stress creates a lot of toxins which damage your body organs and interfere with smooth absorption of nutrients. Restore your body's natural healing ability by taking Shuang Hor Lingzhi.

It is up to you to figure out how you can improve your health in order to encourage better nutrient absorption.

(Source: Absorbing nutrients, Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar, FitforLife 27 November 2016)

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