Re: Rigid Timing of the Flush

Epsom Salts is a hyperosmotic saline type laxative which acts within 1-2 hours. It contracts the gallbladder, relaxes the sphincter of Oddi, and increases gastric, intestinal and pancreatic secretion and, very importantly, production of cholecystokinin.

Cholecystokinin is a hormone that describes itself; 'cholecysto' means gallbladder and 'kinin' movement. The hormone acts on the pancreas to stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. Cholecystokinin also causes the increased production of hepatic bile, stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder and the relaxation of the Sphincter of Oddi, resulting in the delivery of bile into the duodenum

The Sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve that controls the flow of bile into the duodenum through a "nipple" called the ampulla of Vater or papilla of Vater. A sphincter is a circular muscle which is normally constricted (closed) and which relaxes to allow the passage of substances.

Hyperosmotic saline type laxatives pull salt (saline) solution into the intestines from the blood. In the case of Epsom Salts , magnesium is the active ingredient. This excessive fluid then provides a flushing or laxative action within the intestines. There is an inherent loss of salt from this process resulting in mild dehydration. Many people can re-hydrate by drinking water but active people require the inclusion of electrolytes added to the water. To re-hydrate take a pinch of baking soda and a pinch Sea Salt in a pint of water and optionally half a pinch of Lo-Salt if it is available.

Epsom Salts is also reported to purge the stomach of its contents ensuring that it is fully emptied to receive the flush potion. Cholecystokinin stimulated by Epson salts increases the contractions of the stomach. My opinion is that Epson salts also relaxes the pyloric sphincter which is the valve between the stomach and duodenum that controls the flow of chyme. Chyme is the name for the liquid substance found in the stomach; a mixture of partially digested food, water, hydrochloric acid, and various digestive enzymes.

Epsom salts also make the Ileum portion of the small intestines very alkali and this can encourage bile to precipitate into solids preventing the bile from being reabsorbed and allowing them to pass into the colon where the hyperosmotic action promotes fast evacuation.

The flush potion transits rapidly into the duodenum and it is estimated that 8 fluid ounces of the flush potion is processed in about 20 minutes. When no more chyme enters into the duodenum from the stomach, hormones levels fall back and the gallbladder relaxes to start a rapid refilling cycle and the whole biliary system goes into its basal (resting) state.

The combined effect of citric acid and oil in a fine emulsion, in such large quantities and its transfer to the duodenum at a high rate, causes an intense activity and mutual interaction of hormones that reinforce each other resulting in a tidal wave of biliary activity from the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. In summary the following condition are simultaneously created:

Contraction of the gallbladder resulting in: positive pressure in the bile duct which causes expansion of the bile ducts resulting in increased flow of liver bile
Increased volumes of water and bicarbonate in the liver bile ducts
High demand for liver and gallbladder bile
Mutual interaction of hormones which magnifies demand
High demand for sodium bicarbonate from the pancreas
Rapid refilling of the gallbladder

This is the Liver Flush effect.

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