NTA Digestion & Gut Health

Question 1

Which enzyme, secreted by the salivary glands, initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth?

Accepted Answer

Salivary amylase

Answer

Salivary amylase (ptyalin) is released by the parotid glands and begins breaking down starch into shorter polysaccharides in the oral cavity.

Question 2

What is the primary role of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach?

Accepted Answer

Activating pepsinogen into pepsin and sterilizing ingested material

Answer

HCl lowers gastric pH to around 1.5–3.5, which converts pepsinogen to active pepsin for protein digestion and kills most ingested pathogens.

Question 3

In the NTA model, which physiological condition is most strongly associated with hypochlorhydria?

Accepted Answer

Undigested protein entering the small intestine leading to putrefaction

Answer

Insufficient HCl leaves proteins incompletely broken down; these proteins reach the colon where bacteria putrefy them, producing toxic byproducts and contributing to dysbiosis.

Question 4

The migrating motor complex (MMC) performs which key digestive function?

Accepted Answer

Sweeping undigested debris and bacteria from the small intestine between meals

Answer

The MMC is a cyclic motility pattern that acts as an intestinal 'housekeeper,' clearing residual food particles and bacteria from the small bowel during fasting periods.

Question 5

Which nutrient is essential for the production of bile salts by the liver?

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol

Answer

The liver synthesizes primary bile acids (cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid) directly from cholesterol, which are then conjugated and secreted into bile.

(NTA) Nutritional Therapy Association Certification Practice Test

(NTA) Nutritional Therapy Association Certification Practice Test

NTA Digestion & Gut Health