The Step Everyone Misses: Digestion Starts Before the Gut

Over the last two weeks, we talked about your microbiome:

Week 1: The importance of healthy bacteria
Week 2: How to feed those bacteria with the right prebiotic fibers

Your gut bacteria are only one part of 'digestive health.'

They live farther down the GI tract, and A LOT has to happen correctly before food even reaches them:

1. Chewing: The Forgotten First Step of Digestion

When you chew long enough (most people don’t), two things happen:

• Salivary amylase gets released. This enzyme begins breaking down carbohydrates in your mouth — way before they hit your stomach.

• Chewing signals your stomach to prepare. Your digestive system senses how much/what exactly you've consumed and responds by releasing the appropriate digestive juices, including stomach acid.

Chewing your food is by far the best “free upgrade” to digestion. It sounds silly, but mostly don't chew their food enough to promote optimal digestion.

Stomach Acid (HCl): The True “On Switch” of Digestion

If chewing is the spark…stomach acid is the ignition.

Healthy levels of HCl (hydrochloric acid) are essential for breaking down protein, absorbing nutrients, and preventing harmful bacterial overgrowth.

Signs Your Stomach Acid May Be Dysfunctional

Many people think they have too much stomach acid…but the symptoms often point to the opposite:

• Bloating after meals
  

• Heartburn or frequent need for antacids
  

• Excessive belching
  

• Indigestion or nausea
  

• Feeling overly full after normal meals
  

• Sensitivity to various foods
  
  

Support your Digestion, and Stomach Acid, With atplab's Enzymatik Control

• It prevents unpleasant digestion by supporting stomach acid production, with Betaine HCl

• Even the largest holidays meals don't stand a chance - Enzymatik control contains a full spectrum of digestive enzymes

• Helps prevent downstream microbial issues which also contribute to gas and bloating

Enzymatik Control is an excellent addition to your holiday digestive stack. For best results, stack it with Probio 7 and Prebiofib to truly support a healthy gut microbiome.