Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Since digestion begins in the mouth, and since there are leptin receptors on the tongue, would there be any benefit to digestion, leptin sensitivity, or other processes if the food is chewed extremely well? My whole life, I have 'wolfed' down my food. The military really hammered this approach to eating down--try feeding 2000 troops in 30 minutes with 500 chairs.

Anyway, a lot of stuff my grandma told me is coming back to haunt me (lard is good, don't snack, if you are going to smoke--smoke Camels...for digestion's sake). She always said I ate too fast...should I slow down?

flag	asked Nov 4 2011 at 19:27 akman 3,492●1●5●16

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chewing well is rarely done and it is a huge help especially to T2D and to those with leaky guts. – The Quilt Nov 4 2011 at 22:25

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Chewing is central to the hypothalamic parotid axis I wrote about. this axis is what signals the incretin hormones in the gut and is the dinner bell for the endo and exocrine pancreas. It also has a ton to do with timing of gut motility in the Nucleus of the solitary tract of the vagus nerve. This afferent tract is completely yoked to the circadian rhythm of how leptin used to work before we evolved the current generation of leptin receptor we have in humans....The Quilt....His response on my answer. Worth putting his stuff togeather – JayJay Nov 5 2011 at 1:46

Nance · Answer 1 · 2011-11-04 19:35:43Z UTC

Yeah, I was always told not to eat so fast and I grew up to be a binge eater. So I guess they were right and I start every meal with a salad now to introduce the concept of chewing. I also avoid the most tender cuts of meat, but that's about money.

One thing on the digestion-in-mouth question; at the mere thought of food, saliva pours into my mouth but I'm sure chewing thoroughly helps break up the food so the saliva can do its' work.

If he's still talking to us after the last few days, we have a world-class expert on leptin in our community. He's kinda busy saving lives and stuff but if he sees your question you'll get the definitive answer.

JayJay · Answer 2 · 2011-11-04 23:50:42Z UTC

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There are a number of biochemical reasons to chew well relating to enzymes in saliva and mechanical breakdown improving digestion, but from another perspective it just slows you down a bit. The signaling of fullness to the brain is a bit of a delayed response, so taking your time eating can be a good thing if you are of the "listen to your body" camp. Of course if you are leptin resistant then you are likely not a part of this camp, but nothing bad can come of including this as a "healthy habit"....no downside/side-effects other than better absorption of ingested food.

answered Nov 4 2011 at 23:50

JayJay
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	Chewing is central to the hypothalamic parotid axis I wrote about. this axis is what signals the incretin hormones in the gut and is the dinner bell for the endo and exocrine pancreas. It also has a ton to do with timing of gut motility in the Nucleus of the solitary tract of the vagus nerve. This afferent tract is completely yoked to the circadian rhythm of how leptin used to work before we evolved the current generation of leptin receptor we have in humans – The Quilt Nov 4 2011 at 23:55
	When you say "I wrote about" feel free to include the link man! – JayJay Nov 5 2011 at 0:01
	@JayJay: the [Quilt's site](jackkruse.com/the-teeth-in-disease) is pretty hard to miss; because I love your "handle" here's what you requested. No extra charge. :-)) – Nance Nov 5 2011 at 0:24
	So the act of mastication activates the process? Is this a proprioceptive response from mechanical movement or are the responses tempered by specific responses from taste and such indicating which macronutrients are present in the incoming foods? If this is in the axis you wrote about I'll just read that link, but I'm very interested. – JayJay Nov 5 2011 at 0:25
	Yup nance, I have read some on his site just too lazy to search out the actual article he was pointing to :). Heck I upvoted his short response to OP as a comment, but I'm glad to draw out some more in depth response. – JayJay Nov 5 2011 at 0:35

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Will chewing food thoroughly aid leptin sensitivity?

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