Digest This

GUT HEALTH In a healthy individual, food enters the GI tract through the mouth. The nutrients, as well as toxins such as pesticides, and food additives, also travel through there and are filtered out. The digestion process begins in earnest using secretions from glands like the liver and pancreas. Ultimately, the processed foods are eliminated through the large intestine and out of the body as a solid matter. Certain bacteria in the GI tract also play a critical role, as does gut microbiota, which helps with digestion. Even parts of the nervous and circulatory system have roles in the digestive process. Ultimately, Dr. Chock reminds us that a healthy digestion is vital because it contributes to energy, growth and cell repair. But it all starts with proper chewing and eating sensible meals. He also stressed, however, that there is much more involved in preventing or treating digestive disorders than simply eating right. A case in point Kyle MacFarlane. THE KYLE MACFARLANE STORY In the case of MacFarlane (co-founder of The Kyle MacFarlane Foundation), he has suffered from digestive disorders since his early teens. Determining the exact root of his disorder would be a monumental breakthrough for any specialist. To date, doctors and specialists have had no conclusive evidence pointing to any variety of known disorders in his case for the cause of his illness. Currently, MacFarlane falls in the 20 percent range of unusual disorders that aren't common enough to diagnose. "I've treated patients like Kyle before," says Dr. Chock. "It's an unusual presentation of a digestive disorder, but as far as the exact mechanism of what it is, that is not really understood." What he and other specialists are sure of, is that MacFarlane suffers from a distinct digestive disorder, but that's about all they know. Although Dr. Chock doesn't professionally treat Kyle, he's treated patients like him before and he's familiar with his background, and 36 DiGEST THIS

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