The principal glands of saliva are the Parotid glands. These are the glands that when enlarged, during childhood, are called the mump glands. The saliva contains ptyalin, which is an enzyme necessary for digesting starches. The saliva also contains a mucous secretion for lubricating purposes.

Besides the function of carbohydrate digestion, saliva also plays an important role in oral hygiene. The mouth is loaded with disease producing bacteria that can easily destroy tissue. Saliva prevents this by first washing the bacteria away and then destroying the bacteria. 


Problems with the Parotids can cause:

	Difficulty handling carbohydrates (simple		Oral hygiene conditions
	or complex sugars) (gluten reaction)		Constant sore throat
	Gum disease

If you suffer and consider 1-2 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from parotid malfunction.

 

 

 

The purpose of the stomach is to digest food. The stomach produces a very strong acid called hydrochloric acid, and a digestive enzyme known as pepsin. The presence of both HCl and pepsin in the stomach are critical for preparing carbohydrates, as well as proteins, for further digestion.

Based on many factors, the stomach may produce too much acid or not enough acid. In either case, digestion is affected. If you have too much acid production, you have an acid stomach. If you have too little acid, then you have an alkaline stomach.

Patients that have an acid stomach should avoid excessive amounts of acid forming foods such as meats, dairy, grains, and junk foods. Patients that do not produce enough acid have an alkaline stomach, and should avoid excessive amounts of alkaline forming foods such as fruits and vegetables. Diet has a dramatic affect on the acidity or alkalinity of the stomach and is usually the culprit in stomach conditions.


Conditions caused by an acid stomach include:  

	Gastritis		Blood in the stool
	Ulcers		Burning in the left side of the abdomen
	Hiatal hernia		Difficulty with digestion
	Reflux esophagitis (GERD)		Chest pain mimicking a heart attack
	Excessive burping		Chronic hiccups

 

Conditions caused by an alkaline stomach include:

	Gastritis		Spasms in the left side of the abdomen
	Hiatal hernia		Difficulty with digestion
	Reflux esophagitis (GERD)		Chest pain mimicking a heart attack
	Excessive burping		Chronic hiccups

 

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from either an acid or alkaline stomach malfunction.

 

 

 

 

The pancreas is a large gland that is midline behind your stomach. The pancreas is composed of a tail and a head. The tail of the pancreas secretes a hormone called insulin. The purpose of insulin is to take sugar out of the blood, and either deposit it into muscles for energy, or store it in fat cells or in the liver. The pancreas also secretes another hormone called glucagon. The purpose of glucagon is to release sugar that is stored in the liver as glycogen, and put it back into the blood. Between insulin and glucagon, blood sugar levels are maintained.

Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are high, due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin. This is called Type 1 Diabetes. There exists a second type of diabetes known as Type 2, which occurs when the body is resistant to the insulin in the blood. In Type 1 Diabetes, a patient may need to take insulin, but this is not always the case. In Type 2 Diabetes, sugar levels can be controlled through exercise, diet, and supplementation.

 
Symptoms of high blood sugar include:

	Fatigue		Sweating
	Increased urination		Neurological problems (diabetic neuropathy)
	Heart problems		Premature aging
	Weight gain		Heart conditions and heart attacks
	Lack of stamina		Circulatory problems (amputation of limbs)
	Soft and spongy muscles		Problems with vision or loss of sight

There is also a condition where the pancreas produces too much insulin and this condition is called Hyperinsulinism (HI). This condition may be inherited and is called Congenital Hyperinsulinism. HI may be caused by an insulin-secreting tumor of the pancreas, or insulinoma. 

Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

	Anxiety		Hunger
	Mood swings		Light-headedness/fainting
	Sweating		Fatigue
	Increased heart rate		Soft or spongy muscles
	Weakness

 

The head of the pancreas produces enzymes that help in the digestion of sugar (amylase)(carbohydrates), fats (lipase), and proteins (protease). Without these enzymes digestion will not properly take place, causing many digestive complaints.

 

 

 

 

 

Symptoms of pancreatic head conditions include:

	Burning in the back		Food allergies
	Headaches		Eyes that appear to be sunken into
	Indigestion such as bloating,		the eye socket
	cramping, fowl smelling stools,		Metallic taste in the mouth
	constipation, and diarrhea

 

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from pancreatic malfunction.

 

 

 

 

 

The liver has at least 500 separate functions. If we looked at the classification of these functions, we could narrow them down to two classifications. 

 

The first classification would be one of food processing. The liver is responsible for storing sugar and also breaking it down when needed. The liver also converts carbohydrates and proteins into fats. It breaks down the fat when needed and forms all the major proteins that are used in the body.  The liver also stores vitamins A and D.

 

The second classification of the liver is for the removal of all impurities found in the blood such as all poisons, toxins, bacteria, virus, parasites, environmental pollutants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, food additives, metabolic wastes, excessive hormones, medications, and any and all filth that one can put into their body. At the present time, there are thought to be 200,000 foreign chemicals in the environment. The liver, through its various enzyme pathways, is responsible for neutralization of the various poisons. 

 

Symptoms produced by liver problems include:  

	Stiffness in limbs		High blood pressure
	Fatigue		Low cholesterol
	Poor resistance (getting sick easily)		High blood sugar
	Chronic system infections		Kidney problems
	Difficulty metabolizing food		Problems with eye sight
	High Cholesterol

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from liver malfunction.

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of the gall bladder is to store bile, which was produced via the liver. The purpose of bile is to emulsify fats that are in the small intestine. Emulsifying fats is nothing more than what soap does when you clean the dishes. It helps break up the fat so that it does not stick to the pan or dish, and it then can be rinsed away. The second thing bile does is excretes waste products, such as excessive cholesterol produced by the liver. 


Symptoms produced by gall bladder problems include:  

	Right shoulder pain		Fluctuating weight loss and gain
	Right chest pain		Right abdominal pain
	Bloating		Colicky pain
	Heart burn		Fat found in stool
	Inability to digest or tolerate fats

 

 

If you suffer and consider 4 of the above as potential health problems, then you may be suffering from gall bladder malfunction.