|
Category Sitemaps
Weight loss
Diet
Food
Calories
Exercise
Losing weight
Diet pills
Weight loss help |
Digestion Process:
A Mouth to Anus Exploration
of the Human Digestive Process
Your gastrointestinal
tract, AKA alimentary canal is most commonly referred to as your digestive
tract. It is the passageway that your body provides for food to be
metabolized, assimilated and enabled to travel. From the moment foods enter
into your mouth, they began an intricate process of being broken down and
absorbed. The nutrients that they contain must be separated from the waste
and then transported to all bodily systems via the blood. The cellular
structures of your body require various nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino
acids, fats, carbohydrates, cholesterol, antioxidants, and other
constituents derived from foods and beverages in order to perform their
various tasks.
Your digestive system is composed of your gastrointestinal tract, AKA
alimentary canal which contains:
-
Mouth;
-
Majority of the pharynx;
-
Esophagus;
-
Stomach;
-
Small intestine;
-
Large intestine;
Other digestive organs
serve as accessories and include:
-
Teeth;
-
Tongue;
-
Salivary glands;
-
Pancreas;
-
Gallbladder;
-
Liver;
An overview of the
digestive process:
As foods and beverages enter your mouth, they begin the process of
digestion. Digestive enzymes that are found in your saliva immediately began
to break down what you ingest. Your tongue is accurately used to manipulate
the foods position in the mouth. You masticate (chew) your foods which warms
them, lubricates them and makes them better able to be swallowed. Your teeth
also break the food into smaller particles. A bolus is formed and is easily
maneuvered to the back of the throat. The food moves into the esophagus
where it is further lubricated and warmed. It is now traveling towards the
stomach.
The inside of our stomachs is a quite acidic environment. A variety of
gastric enzymes go to work on the food bolus. It is converted into what is
called the chyme. The chyme is a mass of liquified bolus. It is then
"squirted" into your small intestines. Notably, fats take the longest to
leave the stomach area. Proteins take the middle road and carbohydrates exit
readily. The small intestine is the main work site for metabolism and
assimilation. While in the small intestine, foods are further treated with
enzymes from the gall bladder, liver, pancreas and the small intestine
itself. Specifically, the pancreas releases enzymes that helped to break
down carbs, fats and proteins alike. The liver supplies the vile that
emulsifies fat. The gallbladder stores the bile until it may be needed.
There are very small projections on the lining of the small intestines
called villi. They are in place to increase the surface area of the small
intestine and thereby increase the efficiency of nutrient absorption. Once
nutrients are broken down sufficiently, they are allowed to permeate the
intestinal walls. As they pass through the enveloping membranes of the small
intestine, they are absorbed into the circulatory system. Once this happens,
the nutrients are transported to all of the body's tissues, organs and
structures. Of course, these nutrients are then used to make repairs,
accommodate growth and release energy storages. This is the highly complex
process of metabolism.
Chyme that remains undigested is then transported into the large intestine,
also known as the colon. Remaining chyme liquids are absorbed. The
deliquified chyme becomes concentrated solid matter. Bacterium enters the
picture and initiates fermentation of chyme in the large intestine. Although
this fermentation process breaks the chyme down into even smaller particles,
very little absorption occurs in the large intestine. The resulting solid
matter builds up and is eventually excreted.
The 6 key functions of the digestion system:
-
Chewing and swallowing;
-
Acid, water, enzyme and
buffer secretion;
-
Motility = propulsion and
mixing;
-
Hydrolysis = chemical and
mechanical processes that break food down;
-
Absorption = digested
products enter the circulatory system via the intestine's epithelial cells;
-
Defecation = digested
products exit the body via the anus;
The intricate process of digestion is imperative to human survival. Almost
all human activities are in some way centered around food. In fact, you
could say that our bodies are just factories that take in, assimilate,
absorb and excrete foods. Without nutrients and proper hydration, life ends
quickly. Understanding the digestive process, and taking actions to help
your body digest foods more efficiently, will certainly increase your
happiness and prolong your life span.
Learn More About Problems With Digestion
of Foods in Diet
Sweating & Perspiration Problems during exercise
How Much Quantity of Water Drink
During Training
Should We Eat Before or After
Exercising?
You must seek approval from your doctor
before starting any new diet.
Please read our
Terms!
|
|
