Many of these complaints he can diagnose, many he cannot. In any event, a high degree of responsibility rests upon the patient's shoulders to select or follow a diet that will be most conducive to his welfare, which, in this case, concerns the local intestinal environment. There are many common sense nutritional practices that can be followed. In order to take the best advantage of the diet in support of intestinal care, it is necessary to understand something of the workings of the intestinal tract. Let us take a brief sight-seeing journey along its course.
Food entering the mouth is chewed and moistened with saliva preparatory to swallowing.
Before proceeding, let us not forget the nasal cavity. This is directly connected at the upper level of the oesophagus. One should realise that this may be a source of toxins being introduced into the intestinal environment. Food entering and leaving the stomach is regulated by two sphincters. A sphincter is a ring-like muscle which opens and closes a natural orifice.