What is the digestive system, and how does it work?
The digestive system is the collection of organs that convert food into absorbable nutrients—from the mouth to the rectum. Its proper functioning is essential for energy, immunity, and the balance of the gut microbiota. Our line of digestive enzymes supports the key stages of digestion.
- Mouth and esophagus: chewing + salivary amylase (carbohydrate digestion) → bolus → esophagus (peristalsis toward the stomach)
- Stomach: hydrochloric acid (pH 1–2) + pepsin → proteolysis of proteins — retention time: 2–4 hours depending on fat content — gastric emptying regulated by the hormone gastrin
- Small intestine: 6–7 m — 90% of nutrients absorbed via the villi — pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, proteases) + bile from the liver for fat emulsification — see our page on the intestinal system
- Liver and pancreas: the liver produces 500–1,000 mL of bile per day (for fat emulsification) + detoxification + nutrient metabolism — the exocrine pancreas secretes 1.5 L of pancreatic juice per day (enzymes + bicarbonate)
- Colon: water reabsorption (1.5–2 L/day) — fiber fermentation by the microbiota → SCFA (butyrate) — colonic transit time: 24–72 hours
Common Digestive Disorders and How to Recognize Them
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD): acid reflux into the esophagus — heartburn + regurgitation — worsened by alcohol, tobacco, being overweight, and large meals — see our page on digestive difficulties
- Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach lining — Helicobacter pylori (50% of adults), NSAIDs, alcohol — epigastric pain + nausea
- Slow Digestion: postprandial heaviness, drowsiness, bloating — enzyme deficiency or hypochlorhydria — see our page on slow digestion
- IBS and IBD: functional disorders (IBS) or organic disorders (IBD: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) — see our page on intestinal disorders
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy: indicated for persistent pain, bleeding, dysphagia, weight loss — enables diagnosis, biopsies, and treatment of polyps — gastroscopy or colonoscopy depending on the location
Natural active ingredients to support digestion and the digestive system
Several active ingredients act on the different stages of digestion. Find them in our digestive comfort line.
- Digestive enzymes: amylase, lipase, protease, lactase — compensate for insufficient production (pancreatic insufficiency, age-related hypochlorhydria) — take at the start of meals — see our digestive enzymes line
- Milk Thistle (silymarin): hepatoprotective + cholagogue — stimulates bile production — supports fat digestion and liver function
- Carminative herbs: fennel, peppermint, ginger, cardamom — reduce gas and digestive spasms — take as an herbal tea or in capsule form after meals
- Artichoke (cynarin): cholagogue and choleretic — stimulates bile secretion — supports fat digestion and comfort after heavy meals — see our page on improving digestion
- Probiotics: support the final stage of digestion (colonic fermentation, synthesis of vitamins B and K) — see our page on liver disorders for liver-supporting ingredients
Lifestyle and Prevention of Digestive Disorders
- Chew slowly: 20–30 chews per bite — increases the surface area of contact with salivary enzymes — reduces the amount of air swallowed (aerophagia) and the enzymatic load further down the digestive tract
- Regular, spaced-out meals: 3 meals + 1–2 snacks if needed — avoid large, late meals (slower nighttime gastric emptying) — allow a 4-hour interval between meals
- Fiber 25–30 g/day: accelerates colonic transit and nourishes the gut microbiota — increase gradually — see our page on intestinal transit
- Physical activity: 30 min/day stimulates digestive motility and reduces stress — light postprandial exercise (15-min walk) accelerates gastric emptying
- Avoid: alcohol (mucosal irritant), tobacco (GERD, digestive cancer), long-term use of NSAIDs (gastritis, ulcers), ultra-processed foods (dysbiosis + mucosal inflammation)
