NTA Digestion & Gut Health 3

Question 1

In an NTA 'Foundations of Health' approach, which organ system is considered foundational and must be addressed first when supporting overall health?

Accepted Answer

Digestive system

Answer

The NTA identifies digestion as a foundational pillar because nutrient absorption depends entirely on GI function; even a perfect diet cannot nourish the body if digestion is compromised.

Question 2

A client reports bloating, gas, and undigested food in stools. Which NTA-recommended initial assessment tool would help evaluate digestive function?

Accepted Answer

A Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (NAQ) scored for digestive markers

Answer

The NAQ (Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire) is a core NTA tool that aggregates symptom burdens across body systems, including digestive function, to prioritize nutritional interventions.

Question 3

Which supplement is classically recommended in nutritional therapy to support stomach acid production in clients with signs of hypochlorhydria?

Accepted Answer

Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) with pepsin

Answer

Betaine HCl with pepsin supplements gastric acid and the protease pepsin, directly addressing the deficiency of both acid and digestive enzyme seen in hypochlorhydria.

Question 4

The '4R Gut Restoration Protocol' used in functional nutrition includes Remove, Replace, Reinoculate, and Repair. What does 'Reinoculate' specifically refer to?

Accepted Answer

Restoring beneficial microorganisms with probiotics and prebiotics

Answer

Reinoculate involves reintroducing beneficial bacteria through probiotic supplements and feeding them with prebiotic foods to re-establish a healthy gut microbial community.

Question 5

Glutamine is frequently recommended to support gut healing because it serves as the primary fuel source for which cells?

Accepted Answer

Enterocytes (intestinal epithelial cells)

Answer

Enterocytes preferentially oxidize glutamine (over glucose) as their main energy substrate, making dietary glutamine critical for maintaining and repairing the intestinal epithelium.

(NTA) Nutritional Therapy Association Certification Practice Test

(NTA) Nutritional Therapy Association Certification Practice Test

NTA Digestion & Gut Health 3