Eating Well Isn’t Enough—Here’s Why Digestion Matters

In functional and integrative medicine, we often talk about root causes. But one foundational piece that’s frequently overlooked—especially in those dealing with chronic illness or cancer—is digestion.

We can eat the most nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet, but if we aren’t breaking it down and absorbing it, those nutrients can’t get where they need to go. It’s not just about what you eat—it’s what your body can do with it.

This is where digestive enzymes come in.

Digestive enzymes are specialized proteins your body produces—primarily from the pancreas and stomach—to break down food into absorbable molecules. They help us turn:

• Proteins into amino acids

• Fats into fatty acids

• Carbohydrates into simple sugars

Without them, we get partial digestion, fermentation, inflammation, and nutrient loss. Over time, this can contribute to fatigue, hormonal imbalance, poor immune function, and terrain disruption.

Many clients I work with are surprised to learn their digestive issues are contributing to systemic dysfunction. The signs are often subtle at first, but they add up:

• Bloating or heaviness after meals

• Gas, belching, or reflux

• Floating or greasy stools

• Undigested food in the stool

• Fatigue or brain fog after eating

• Food intolerances that seem to multiply over time

These symptoms are not “just IBS” or something you have to live with—they are messages from the body that it needs support.

If you’re eating all the right things but still not feeling your best—or if your labs suggest absorption issues—it may be time to explore what your body is actually doing with the food you give it.

Because at the end of the day, digestion is not just about comfort—it’s about resilience. And supporting it can change everything.