Healthy Fat Digestion

Complete fat digestion requires high-quality essential fatty acids, bitter stimulation, and a diet that includes betaine (found in foods like beets).

With the help of pancreatic enzymes and bile acids, the fats in our food are broken down into smaller droplets that can be used all over the body.

How the liver and pancreas help you digest:

• Pancreatic enzymes digest fat, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Bile emulsifies fat into smaller droplets to be absorbed through the gut lining
• Bicarbonate, created from the pancreas, neutralizes acid coming into the small intestine (alkalinization) from the stomach
• Bitters stimulate specialized receptor cites that increase bile and enzyme production

Undigested fat combined with poor fat sources causes intestinal inflammation.

When we experience chronic stress, make unhealthy food choices, have hormonal imbalances, or consume excessive amounts of alcohol and sugary drinks, our bile formation and pancreatic enzyme levels can become compromised.

As a result, dietary fats may only be partially digested. When large fat particles are not fully broken down, they can oxidize and become rancid, which may lead to issues in the lower intestinal tract. It's important to recognize these factors and take steps towards optimizing our digestive health.

Low bile acids and pancreatic enzymes causes the following:

• Fatty acid (omega 3, 6, and 9) deficiencies
• Lymphatic drainage issues
• Systemic inflammation
• Fatty stool (floating particles on top of toilet water) with excessive toilet paper use

Common Undigested Fat Symptoms:

• Excessive belching (burping)
• Greasy, floating stools and fat particles (oil slick)
• Pale, light colored and/or yellowish stools (poop)
• Loose stools and/or fatty diarrhea often (more than twice a week)
• History of gallbladder attacks or surgical removal of my gallbladder

Do you have a gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is a small but mighty organ that plays a vital role in your digestive system. It works in tandem with your liver to produce and store bile, which helps break down fats in your small intestine.

By concentrating bile, your gallbladder optimizes its effectiveness in digesting fats and keeping your digestive system running smoothly.If you've had your gallbladder removed, don't worry, you still have options.

Your liver is still producing bile, and while digestion may not be as efficient, there are ways to support your body's natural processes. The unique phytochemicals in beets can support liver and gallbladder health—and A-F Betafood is a great way to get those benefits.

As opposed to other beet supplements, the standard process team harvests the beets immediately after juicing them at their facility so you receive 100% of these beneficial nutrients, instead of juice made from dried or dehydrated beets that has lost much of its nutritional value through processing.

Many people face gallbladder cramping, gallstones and gallbladder removal. If you have had your gallbladder removed, learn about some popular strategies

Strategies for Post Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal)

• Supplementing Bile Salts with fatty meals
• Give liver a rest by spacing out meals and stop eating after 10pm
• Support your liver with EFAs and foods rich in Vitamin A
• Lower your intake of foods cooked with trans-fats

Remember, your body is resilient and adaptable, and with a little love and care, you can thrive without your gallbladder.

Improve your ability to move bile!

Looking to optimize your body's ability to digest fats? There are several natural supplements that may be recommended to support your digestion!

Concentrated beet leaves with root and bile salts found in A-F Betafood are a great option to consider. In 2020, A-F Betafood was used in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial suggesting, "improvements in markers of gallbladder function following supplementation for 12 weeks with A-F Betafood®, a whole food-based health product. In the absence of any adverse effects, A-F Betafood® supports a healthy gallbladder function in the individuals at risk of gall bladder insufficiency."The trial found, "Supplementation with A-F Betafood® resulted in a 9% decrease in gallbladder wall thickness, whereas the placebo group showed a 7% increase. This data suggests that A-F Betafood® supplementation may improve gallbladder motility through reduced wall thickness."

Cholacol is very helpful if you are missing your gallbladder to help breakdown fats. It can be taken 15 minutes before meals or as directed by your healthcare provider. Cholacol contains concentrated ox bile, used for generations to help people who have bile insufficiency from liver problems or missing gallbladders.

If you're in a similar situation, we encourage you to consider giving Cholacol a try and experience the benefits for yourself. With the right support, you can enjoy a happy, healthy life even after gallbladder removal.

A-F Betafood + Enzycore = Full Digestive Coverage!

Looking for a powerful digestive support supplement that covers fats, but also works on protein and carbohydrates?

Look no further than Enzycore! This comprehensive blend of enzymes, glutamine, and whole food ingredients is specifically designed to support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption, helping you get the most out of your food.

Enzycore contains a blend of enzymes that comprehensively break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, ensuring your body can effectively digest all types of food. It also includes L-glutamine, an amino acid that serves as a building block for other amino acids and provides energy to cells with high energy needs, like those in the intestines.

With amylase, protease, glucoamylase, and more, Enzycore has what you need to support your digestive health and feel your best.

With these natural supplements in your toolkit, you can enjoy a healthy, balanced diet without worrying about digestive discomfort.

Let's learn about carbohydrate digestion in part 4 of this series!

Helpful links and references

1. Groff JL, Gropper SS, Hunt SM. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. New York: West Publishing Company; 1995.
2. Jeppesen PB, Hoy CE, Mortensen PB. Essential fatty acid deficiency in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(1):126-133. (PubMed)
3. Smit EN, Muskiet FA, Boersma ER. The possible role of essential fatty acids in the pathophysiology of malnutrition: a review. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004;71(4):241-250. (PubMed)
4. Mascioli EA, Lopes SM, Champagne C, Driscoll DF. Essential fatty acid deficiency and home total parenteral nutrition patients. Nutrition. 1996;12(4):245-249. (PubMed)
5. Stegink LD, Freeman JB, Wispe J, Connor WE. Absence of the biochemical symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency in surgical patients undergoing protein sparing therapy. Am J Clin Nutr. 1977;30(3):388-393. (PubMed)
6. Price PT, Nelson CM, Clarke SD. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid regulation of gene expression. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000;11(1):3-7. (PubMed)
7. Calder PC. Dietary modification of inflammation with lipids. Proc Nutr Soc. 2002;61(3):345-358. (PubMed)
8. Jeppesen PB, Hoy CE, Mortensen PB. Deficiencies of essential fatty acids, vitamin A and E and changes in plasma lipoproteins in patients with reduced fat absorption or intestinal failure. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(8):632-642. (PubMed)