Nutrition is the science that deals with all the various factors of which food is composed and the way in which proper nourishment is brought about.  The average nutritional requirements of people depend on many different factors such as Blood Type/Group, Age, Sex, Height, Weight, Degree of Activity and Rate of Growth.  Nutrition is defined as the process by which a person takes in and utilises food material.  The body obtains energy (in the form of food) for growth, maintenance and repair of its cells.  These processes include ingestion, digestion, absorption, and metabolism.

Below are some of the many digestive problems that can be dealt with efficiently through the use of Kinesiology:

• Allergies
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Hernias
• Hemorrhoids
• Heartburn
• Diabetes
• Chron's Disease
• Ileocecal Valve Syndrome (ICV)
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Thyroid Gland

The term allergy is used to describe a response, within the body, to a substance, which is not necessarily harmful in itself, but results in an immune response and a reaction that causes symptoms and disease in a predisposed person, which in turn can cause inconvenience or a great deal of misery.

An allergy is everything from a runny nose, itchy eyes and palate to skin rash. It aggravates the sense of smell, sight, taste and touch causing irritation among other things. It occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances.

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Irritable bowel syndrome is a 'syndrome', meaning a group of symptoms. The most common symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain or discomfort often reported as cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS affects the colon, or large bowel, which is the part of the digestive tract that stores stool.

IBS is not a disease. It's a functional disorder, meaning that the bowel doesn't work or function correctly. Through the use of an advanced Kinesiology formatting technique the Digestive System and all of it's related aspects including the gastrointestinal hormones can be accessed within a matter of minutes and directly tested for stress levels. Kinesiology testing then allows for a resolution to balancing the stress in these areas.

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A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Although hiatal hernias are present in approximately 15% of the population, they are associated with symptoms in only a minority of those afflicted.

Normally, the esophagus or food tube passes down through the chest, crosses the diaphragm and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. Just below the diaphragm, the esophagus joins the stomach. In individuals with hiatal hernias, the opening of the esophageal hiatus (hiatal opening) is larger than normal and a portion of the upper stomach slips up or passes (herniates) through the hiatus and into the chest. Other types of hernia can also be treated through the use of Kinesiology.

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Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. The vessels stretch under pressure. They can become painful, itchy, and irritated. This might happen if you are straining to have bowel movements. Passing stool may injure the hemorrhoids and cause them to bleed.

Hemorrhoids can result from several factors:

• Being overweight
• Pregnancy
• Standing or sitting for long periods
• Straining during physical labour
• Constipation

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With heartburn, a muscle in your esophagus that opens and closes when you swallow may not work properly. Sometimes it does not close tightly or fast enough and the food and stomach fluids back up into your esophagus. This may cause a burning feeling in your chest and throat, called heartburn.

This condition is very common. It usually is not serious. Sometimes, it may become bothersome, especially when lying down. It occurs more often during pregnancy.

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Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is classed as a metabolism disorder. Metabolism refers to the way our bodies use digested food for energy and growth. Most of what we eat is broken down into glucose. Glucose is a form of sugar in the blood - it is the principal source of fuel for our bodies.

When our food is digested the glucose makes it's way into our bloodstream. Our cells use the glucose for energy and growth. However, glucose cannot enter our cells without insulin being present - insulin makes it possible for our cells to take in the glucose.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. After eating, the pancreas automatically releases an adequate quantity of insulin to move the glucose present in our blood into the cells and lowers the blood sugar level.

A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated (hyperglycemia). This is because the body does not produce enough insulin, produces no insulin or has cells that do not respond properly to the insulin the pancreas produces. This results in too much glucose building up in the blood. This excess blood glucose eventually passes out of the body in urine. So, even though the blood has plenty of glucose, the cells are not getting it for their essential energy and growth requirements.

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Crohn's disease causes part of the digestive tract to become inflamed. Symptoms include:

• Abdominal Pain
• Diarrhoea
• Weight Loss
• Poor Appetite

Many Crohn's disease sufferers have above average sugar in their diet, which may contribute to the cause of the condition or make the condition worse. There is also evidence that the increased permeability of the bowel wall causes nutrients to be inadequately absorbed, which means that higher quantities are required. Food allergies and intolerances may also contribute to the condition and some think that the immune system has become overactive.

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The ileocecal valve is located between the last portion of your small intestine, called the ileum, and the first portion of your large intestine, called the cecum. The function of this sphincter valve is to allow digested food materials to pass from the small intestine into your large intestine. The ileocecal valve also blocks these waste materials from backing back up into your small intestine. It is intended to be a one-way valve, only opening up to allow waste materials to pass through.

When the ileocecal valve is stuck in an open position, then waste products can back up into the small intestine and disturb your digestion and also release unhealthy toxins that are absorbed across the intestinal wall and into the body through the blood. Also, when the ileocecal valve is stuck in a closed position, then waste products are prevented or constricted from passing into the large intestine. Either way, the weakening and malfunctioning of this particular doughnut-shaped sphere of slimy smooth muscle is enough to mess you up in innumerable ways.

Unfortunately, this disorder is often overlooked by the medical profession. A dysfunctional ileocecal valve can result in a combination of symptoms:

• Right shoulder pain
• Right side pelvic pain
• Lower back pain
• Pain surrounding heart
• Flu symptoms
• Tinnitus
• Headache
• Bad breath
• Dark circles under eyes
• Dizziness

Causes of Ileocecal Valve Syndrome:

• Dehydration
• Emotional upsets
• How you eat (overeating, eating too frequently, eating too quickly, eating foods you are sensitive to, under-chewing your food)
• Foods you eat (carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, hot spicy foods, tiny seeds)

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Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating and the sensation of a full bowel.

Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.

Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their life and a poor diet typically is the cause. Most constipation is temporary and not serious.

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While it is not usually a very serious condition and will generally clear up within a few days, Diarrhoea is at the least a very inconvenient condition and at worst can be life threatening.

It is a condition in which a person has frequent watery, loose bowel movements. This condition can occur as a symptom, disease, allergy, food intolerance or food-borne illness and may be accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

It is most commonly caused by viral infections or bacterial toxins. Bacteria, Bacterial Toxins, Parasite, Fungal Toxins and Viruses are just a few of the different problems that can be tested for using Kinesiology.

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The Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located on either side of the trachea (Wind Pipe). The thyroid produces hormones that affect your body's metabolism and energy levels. Thyroid problems are among the most common medical conditions but, because their symptoms often appear gradually, they are commonly misdiagnosed.

The two most common thyroid problems are an Underactive Thyroid and an Overactive Thyroid.

Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this condition, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.

The most common symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:

• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Constipation
• Dry skin & hair
• Weight gain
• Feeling cold
• Heavy menstrual periods

Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. This occurs when the body's immune system over stimulates the thyroid.

The most common symptoms of Hyperthyroidism are:

• Jitteriness, shaking, increased nervousness, irritability
• Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
• Feeling hot
• Weight loss
• Fatigue/feeling exhausted
• More frequent bowel movements
• Shorter or lighter menstrual periods

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Kinesiology can be of real benefit with a range of different diseases like: Diabetes, Cancer, Pain, Weight, Infection, Virus, Diet, Thyroid, Sleep, Depression 

Kinesiology, Kinesiology Ireland