1. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

2. Main Organs of the Digestive System
Mouth
Esophagus
Pharynx
Stomach
Small intestine
Large intestine
Teeth
Tongue
Salivary glands
Liver
Gallbladder
Pancreas

3. Physiology of the Digestive System
A series of hollow organs connected in a long tube
Extends from the mouth to the anus
Lined with protective mucosa that prevents acid from causing sores or ulcers
In the mouth, stomach, and small intestine, the mucosa also contains tiny glands that produce the liquid digestive juices that help digest food
Other organs, such as the liver and pancreas, also produce products that aid in digestion

4. Three Categories of Nutrients
Macronutrients—nutrients that the body requires in larger quantities
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats (lipids)
Micronutrients—nutrients that the body requires in small quantities
Vitamins
Minerals
Water—an indispensable component of the body

5. Carbohydrates and Proteins
Break down into monosaccharides during digestion
Provide immediate energy
Most readily available sources of food energy
AMDR for carbohydrates—45 to 65 percent of daily caloric intake
Proteins
Break down into amino acids during digestion
The body uses amino acids to make and repair:
Body cells
Tissues
Muscle
AMDR for protein—10 to 35 percent of daily caloric intake

6. Fats (Lipids) Break down into fatty acids and glycerol
The body uses fats or lipids to:
Provide lubrication
Store fat as an energy reserve
Store fat as insulation to provide warmth
Provide a cushion that act as a shock absorber to protect vital organs
Help metabolize carbohydrates and proteins more efficiently
Carry fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
AMDR for fats—20 to 35 percent of daily caloric intake
Not more than 10 percent of calorie intake should be saturated fat

7. Amino Acids
The body can produce 11 types of amino acids, referred to as nonessential
There are 9 types of amino acids that the body requires, but cannot produce
These are referred to as essential amino acids (See table 23.9)
Essential amino acids have to be derived from food intake

8. Vitamin A (Retinol)
Helps with eyesight and epithelial cells and tissues (skin cells)
Deficiencies in vitamin A may cause:
Night blindness
Xerosis (dryness) of the conjunctiva and cornea
Xerophthalmia and keratomalacia
Keratinization of lung, GI tract, and urinary tract
Increased susceptibility to infections
DRI is 900 µg/day for males and 700 µg/day for females

9. Vitamin D
Helps with the absorption of calcium from the intestine to make stronger bones and teeth
Deficiency causes metabolic bone softening:
Called rickets in children
Called osteomalacia in adults
DRI is 5 µg/day (ages 19–50) for both males and females
DRI is 10 µg/day (ages 51–70) for both males and females

10. Vitamin E A strong antioxidant for lipids
Deficiency is generally caused by malabsorption rather than lack of ingestion
Vitamin E deficiency may cause:
Disorders of the reproductive system
Abnormalities of muscle, liver, and bone marrow
Hemolysis of RBCs
Defective embryo genesis
Brain dysfunction
A disorder of capillary permeability
DRI is 15 mg/day for both males and females

11. Vitamin K Necessary for blood coagulation
Controls formation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver
Also needed for calcium uptake in bones
Can be used as an antidote for coumadin overdoses
Deficiency is rare
DRI is 120 µg/day for males and 90 µg/day for females

12. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) Necessary for carbohydrate metabolism
Deficiency causes the disease beriberi
Affects the peripheral neurologic, cerebral, cardiovascular, and GI systems
DRI is 1.2 mg/day for males and 1.1 mg/day for females

13. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Necessary for the health of the mucous membranes in the digestive tract
Aids absorption of iron and vitamin B6
Deficiency leads to:
Oral, eye, skin, and genital lesions - Dizziness
Hair loss Insomnia
Light sensitivity - Poor digestion
Retarded growth - Slow mental responses
Burning feet

14. Vitamin B3 (niacin) Important in oxidation-reduction reactions
Vital in protein metabolism
Deficiency leads to the disease pellagra:
Affects skin, mucous membranes, GI, and brain/CNS systems
Causes photosensitive rash, scarlet stomatitis, glossitis, diarrhea, and mental aberrations
Deficiency found in diets high in corn
DRI is 16 mg/day for males and 14 mg/day for females

15. Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Important for secretion of hormones such as cortisone
Important for maintenance of healthy skin, muscles, and nerves
B5 deficiency extremely rare
Symptoms of B5 deficiency include:
Insomnia
Depression
Nausea
Headache
Muscle spasm

16. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Needed for:
Red blood cell formation - Antibody production
Cell respiration - Cell growth
Conversion of tryptophan to niacin
Helps convert stored carbohydrate to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels
Synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine
Deficiency can cause:
Anemia similar to iron-deficiency anemia
Decreased antibody production
Suppressed immune response
Symptoms such as dermatitis, a sore tongue, depression, confusion, and convulsions

17. Vitamin B9 (folic acid) Important for:
Energy production -Formation of red blood cells
Strengthening immune system
Promoting healthy cell division and replication
Protein metabolism
Preventing depression and anxiety
Deficiency can be serious and may result in:
Anemia - Apathy
Digestive disturbances - Fatigue
Growth impairment - Insomnia
Labored breathing - Memory problems
Paranoia - Weakness

18. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Needed for healthy nerve cells, to make DNA, and for the formation of RBCs
Deficiency leads to irreversible nerve damage
Signs and symptoms include:
Fatigue - weakness
Nausea - constipation
Flatulence - loss of appetite
weight loss - depression
Confusion - poor memory

19. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Antioxidant
Essential for collagen formation
Maintains integrity of connective tissue, bone, and teeth
Important for wound healing and recovery from burns
Helps the absorption of iron
Severe deficiency results in scurvy:
Characterized by general weakness, bleeding gums, anemia, and skin bleeding
The DRI is 90 mg/day for males and 75 mg/day for females

20. Water 60% of an adult’s body weight is water
Forms a major portion of every tissue
Provides the medium in which most of the body’s activities are conducted
Facilitates many of the metabolic reactions that occur in the body
Helps transport vital materials to the cells
Vehicle in which glycogen is transported into muscle cells