DIGESTION The more the Merrier: You crave what you are not digesting By Susan Blackard R.N., N.D.c.

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Digestion Digestion refers to the breaking down of large food molecules into smaller food molecules in the body. So that small food molecules can diffuse through the walls and enter bloodstream. Starch and proteins are large food molecules that cannot pass through the walls.

Nutrients Body needs energy to do work. Nutrients include Carbohydrates Provide energy (growth, warmth, movement) Proteins For growth and regeneration of cells and tissues Repair of damaged tissues. Source of energy if carbohydrates and fats unavailable

Nutrients Nutrients include Nutrients help Fats in our growth, Provide energy Two times that of carbohydrates Nutrients help in our growth, by keeping us healthy, by repairing our cells and tissues, by giving us energy.

Enzymes : their role Enzymes are used to digest food Carbohydrase / Amylase Carbohydrates to Simple sugars Protease Proteins to Amino acids Lipase Fats to Glycerol and Fatty acids What has caused the decrease of enzymes available for use: -______________________ _______________________

Alimentary canal, organs and functions Alimentary canal consists of the Mouth (20sec) Starch (carbohydrate) is digested to maltose by carbohydrase / amylase Esophagus (10sec) Walls of the alimentary canal are made of muscles which squeezes food along the canal. Stomach (2-6hrs) Produces gastric juice which mixes food when stomach churns. Protease in the juice breaks down complex proteins into simpler ones

Organs joined to the Alimentary canal Liver Makes bile Greenish liquid which emulsifies fats, breaking them into smaller droplets, easier for lipase to digest it. Gall bladder Stores bile made by the liver to breakdown FAT Pancreas Creates pancreatic juice Flows to small intestine and contain enzymes

Alimentary canal, organs and functions Small intestine (5hrs) Produces intestinal juice which contains enzymes Completes the digestion process with the help of the organs joined to the alimentary canal (liver, gallbladder, pancreas)

Alimentary canal, organs and functions Digestion ends at the small intestine: Small molecules of digested food passes through the small intestine wall, into the bloodstream surrounding it.

Digested food enters blood Made of small food molecules Diffuse through walls of small intestine Into blood vessels in walls Carried away by blood to the rest of the body Called absorption of food Blood carries the small food molecules to the cells of the body where they can be used.

Easier absorption Finger-like villi 7 m-long small intestine Provides large surface area Folds the cell membrane 7 m-long small intestine Increases surface area One-cell thick small intestine Shortens distance between wall and bloodstream

Alimentary canal, organs and functions Alimentary canal consists of the Large intestine and anus (24hrs) Undigested food reaches the large intestine Lots of water is removed and taken back into the body Pass out through anus as feces

Summary : Digestion of foods Nutrients in foods Carbohydrates and fats are used for respiration and as sources of energy. Proteins are used for growth and the repair of body tissues. Starch and glucose are two kinds of carbohydrates. Why digestion is needed Only small molecules are able to pass through cell membranes into cells. Starch, fat and protein molecules are too large to pass through.

Summary : Digestion of foods Meaning of digestion Digestion is the breaking down of large food molecules in the body into small food molecules. The small food molecules are: glucose (from starch), amino acids (from proteins) and glycerol and fatty acids (from fats). Digestion takes place by the action of enzymes. Every cell in the body needs nutrients Absorption-the circulation of nutrients in the body Elimination—Undigested waste material Digestion cannot occur without ENZYMES

Intestinal villi-fingers for absorption

Intestinal villi-fingers for absorption Bowel toxicity symptoms: constipation Anxiety depression ???__________________ It’s more than what you eat-it’s about what you digest and absorb.

Summary : Digestion of foods The alimentary canal and digestion Mouth Digestion of starch begins here. Stomach Digestion of proteins begins here. Small intestine Most digestion takes place here. Digestion of starch and proteins is completed here. Digestion of fats takes place only in the small intestine. Absorption of digested food The small, digested food molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. The villi of the small intestine increase the surface area for faster absorption of small, digested food molecules.

References Huether, S., & McCance, K. (2009) Understanding Pathophysiology (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. Hurst, M. (2008). HurstReviews: Pathophysiology Review (1rst ed.). China: McGraw-Hill. Guyton, A.C., & Hall, J.E. (2000). Medical Physiology. (10th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. Loomis, H. (2009) Training Manual for Digestive Health Specialists. Loomis, H. (2005). Enzymes The Key to Health. (2nd ed.). Wisconsin: American Printing.