DIGESTIVE SYSTEMPARTS AND FUNCTION

Function of the Digestive System

The primary function of the digestive system is to break down the food we eat into smaller parts so the body can use them to build and nourish cells and provide energy.

Digestionthe mechanical and chemical process of breaking down of food into smaller and more useful form in order of the body to absorb nutrients and vitamins easier.

MOUTH•BEGGINNING OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT •CHEWING BREAKS THE FOOD INTO PIECES THAT ARE MORE EASILY DIGESTED•SALIVA MIXED WITH FOOD TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF BREAKING IT DOWN INTO A FORM YOUR BODY CAN ABSORB AND USE

PHARYNX•COMMON PASSAGEWAY FOR FOOD AND AIR

ESOPHAGUS•LOCATED IN YOUR THROAT NEAR YOUR TRACHEA•BY MEAN OF MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS CALLED PERISTALSIS , THE ESOPHAGUS DELIVERS FOOD TO YOUR STOMACH

STOMACH• HOLLOW ORGAN OR “CONTAINER,” THAT HOLDS FOOD WHILE IT IS BEING MIXED WITH ENZYMES THAT CONTINUE THE PROCESS OF BREAKING DOWN FOOD INTO A USABLE FORM

•FOOD IS MOXED WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID AND PEPSIN , THE ENZYME SECRETED BY THE GASTRIC GLANDS.

•PEPSIN – BREAKS DOWN PROTEINS

•AFTER 5 HOURS FOOD IS CHANGED TO SOFT PULPY CHYME (KYM) WICH IS MADE UP OF ACIDS , PARTIALLY DIGESTED PROTEINS , CARBOHYDRATES AND FATS

SMALL INTESTINE•MADE UP OF THREE SEGMENTS – DUODENUM JEJUNUM AND ILEUM

•7M LONG AND 2.5 CM WIDE

•FINGERLIKE PROJECTIONS CALLED “VILLI” INCREASE THE SURFASE AREA OF THE INTESTINE AND MAKE ABSORPTION MORE EFFICIENT.

•FINAL DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION

The DuodenumIn anatomy of the digestive system, the duodenum is a hollow jointed tube connecting the stomach to the jejunum. It is the first and shortest part of the small intestine. It begins with the duodenal bulb and ends at the ligament of Treitz. The duodenum is almost entirely retro peritoneal. The duodenum is also where the bile and pancreatic juices enter the intestine.The JejunumThe Jejunum is a part of the small bowel, located between the distal end of duodenum and the proximal part of ileum. The jejunum and the ileum are suspended by an extensive mesentery giving the bowel great mobility within the abdomen. The inner surface of the jejunum, its mucous membrane, is covered in projections called villi, which increase the surface area of tissue available to absorb nutrients from the gut contents. It is different from the ileum due to fewer goblet cells and generally lacks Preyer's patches.The IleumIts function is to absorb vitamin B12 and bile salts. The wall itself is made up of folds, each of which has many tiny finger-like projections known as villi, on its surface. In turn, the epithelial cells which line these villi possess even larger numbers of micro villi. The cells that line the ileum contain the protease and carbohydrate enzymes responsible for the final stages of protein and carbohydrate digestion. These enzymes are present in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. The villi contain large numbers of capillaries which take the amino acids and glucose produced by digestion to the hepatic portal vein and the liver.The terminal ileum continues to absorb bile salts, and is also crucial in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin A, D, E and K). For fat-soluble vitamin absorption to occur, bile acids must be present.

LARGE INTESTINE•main job of the large intestine is to remove water and salts (electrolytes) from the undigested material and to form solid waste that can be excreted

•5-6 feet long

•It has 3 parts: the cecum, the colon, and the rectum

•The cecum is a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine. This area allows food to pass from the small intestine to the large intestine

•The colon is where fluids and salts are absorbed and extends from the cecum to the rectum•rectum, is where feces (waste material) is stored before leaving the body through the anus

5 Common Diseases in Digestive System

Chron’s Disease

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

•abdominal pain•diarrhea•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.

What you can do to help

Consume nutrients to boost and balance immune activity, including: vitamins A, C and E; selenium; and zinc.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by

•frequent loose stools •often accompanied by vomiting.

The most common causes are:

• infection of the digestive tract which leads to gastroenteritis.•Food allergies

What you can do to help

•Drink plenty of water to flush out the system and to prevent dehydration.•Increase your intake of potassium.•vitamins B1 and B3 as a part of the vitamin B complex supplement. •Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement with food when you are able to eat properly again.•Take plenty of fresh acidophilus for at least a month after an attack.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (piles)Hemorrhoids (piles) are varicose veins in the lower part of the rectum or anus. The veins become swollen because of increased pressure often as a result of constipation and straining during defecation. They are common during pregnancy and if the person is overweight.What you can do to helpThe most common cause of hemorrhoids is constipation which fortunately responds well to nutritional medicine.Magnesium is likely to be deficient. It is required for the smooth muscles of the body (the lining of the bowel contains smooth muscle). When magnesium is deficient the muscles do not contract and relax in the correct sequence. Magnesium as a part of a good multivitamin and mineral supplement should assist in correcting the deficiency.Ensure that your diet is rich in fibre. You can take a fiber supplement such as linseed. The fiber will hold a lot of water and stimulate bowel movement.Ensure that you drink plenty of fresh water. The fluids will assist in softening the stool.Avoid caffeinated beverages as these act as a diuretic and will deplete the fluids for softening the stool.Vitamin C with bioflavonoids will help to ensure the integrity of the blood vessels which makes the hemorrhoids less likely.

Indigestion

Symptoms of indigestion include:abdominal discomfort

Indigestion can be brought on by: eating too fast, certain foods, anxiety and stress, being overweight, pregnancy, and heavy smoking.

What you can do to help

•Avoid eating fatty foods•avoid eating a large meal late at night•eat a slice of fresh pineapple after meals •work out•Common culprits are:

Wheat, dairy products, eggs, citrus fruit, and yeast. •Take acidophilus •Take a good multivitamin and mineral supplement

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by:

alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipationabdominal pain, wind, and feelings of general tiredness and malaise.

IBS can be triggered by:•food allergies•Intolerances•Stress,•insufficient dietary fibre.

What you can do to help

•Drink plenty of pure water •Fiber•Acidophilus•Vitamin B complex•Magnesium •Antioxidants •Vitamins C and E•Selenium