Digestive System: Function, Organs & Anatomy

 

Digestive System

(Also called gastrointestinal tract)

The digestive system is a long, complex set of organs that work together to break down food. It's designed to keep the body running smoothly by breaking down food through an array of enzymes that can be found in each organ. It consists of parts including the mouth (the esophagus), stomach (the small intestine), liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, large intestine, and anus, plus special skin glands and glands of nerves that play critical roles in maintaining homeostasis and providing support for movement throughout the body. The primary purpose of digesting food is to absorb the nutrients from the foods, which will provide energy for the body. When it comes time to get rid of waste, the digestive system breaks the food down into smaller units that can be easily eliminated. You can eliminate toxins from your system through the excretion of stool, urine, and sweat.

 

Digestive systems and their functions

 

Your digestive system performs two major purposes – absorbing nutrients and removing waste products. There are seven steps to digesting food. First, you start at the mouth, through the food pipe to the esophagus where your food enters the GI tract. Next, you take in water from the stomach until you have about half of your food. This allows you to chew your food and grind it into tiny pieces that can then travel to other areas of the digestive system. As the food travels to the next stage, the small intestines produce saliva to help with chewing food and mixing it with gastric acid to mix it with nutrients. Finally, you pass the food through the intestines, along the colon, and then out the anus. Once the food has been completely digested, hormones released by these tissues create the final product of water, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals, which the body needs for proper functioning.

 

Some of the things the human body does constantly

Our bodies need to process food so that we don't lose all the nutrients needed to survive. Because our bodies can only absorb nutrients in small amounts, we also have to remove waste products so that our cells don't die.

These processes can be performed using the following activities:

Eating:

For the majority of people, eating is usually done without much thinking. We eat because it provides us with a source of calories, but sometimes we need more than just that. Sometimes we might want to nourish our bodies for other reasons, like when we're feeling sick or when we just want to enjoy a meal without having to think too hard in it. Drinking/Drinking Water Drinking or drinking water can help flush out toxic substances released from dieting. Some common examples include after exercise, when sleeping, cleaning up after a spill, and more.

 

Exercising:

Exercise is incredibly important in helping our muscles develop, and when it comes to digesting food, exercise helps us to burn fat (which makes room for more absorption through the small intestine). If exercise causes digestive problems, try cutting back on the amount you exercise to avoid burning too many calories.

Taking supplements:

Along with taking medications for health issues that cause digestive issues, supplements (aka, "hormones") can also help to address them if they present themselves as intestinal issues. Examples include biotin (found in yogurt for example) and B12 for nerve and muscle strength.

Getting enough sleep:

Sleep is critically important for keeping your body healthy. Even during a day filled with activity, getting adequate rest can help prevent injury. Staying active can help prevent strain ulcers, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and more. Having a regular schedule with a good night's sleep is also key to avoiding mood changes and preventing depression.

Choosing the right diet:

Nutrients that we eat must go through certain stages of preparation before being absorbed, so there's nothing wrong with eating something fast and easy all of the time. However, your body needs to digest these proteins to be absorbed, which requires time and space to do. In order to allow this to happen, your digestion process begins roughly five hours prior to eating. Food is broken down into smaller chunks by enzymes called amylases. Other small molecules called lipids enter food through fat, fats, and oils (sometimes referred to as dietary fat) and end up in the bloodstream via dietary cholesterol. Small amounts of both types of food can pass through your stomach, and are now ready to travel to your small intestines. Then, the small intestine produces digestive juices that break down more complex chemicals within the food. Now your small intestine is full of molecules that are finally broken down for absorption, ready to be pushed elsewhere in the GI tract. With the small intestine already filling up, larger meals can follow up with small ones to help feed your system.

Moving to the large intestine and colon:

Large intestines are made up of millions of different micro-organisms known as microbiota. Most of the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in the gut don't leave immediately, but instead have to multiply, proliferate, and differentiate, leaving behind trillions of bacteria by the mid-to the late nineteenth century. After becoming incorporated into the wall of the large intestine, the bacteria can now grow outwards into the colon. While most individuals don't have to move far from their homes, colonic bacteria play vital roles in various aspects of life. One significant role of colonic bacteria is their production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are compounds found naturally in food such as omega-6 fats, which occur mainly in meat. SCFAs are converted by bacteria to form very long-chain triglycerides (VLCs) and hydroxyethyl acetate (HEA). Both VLC and HEA play key roles in promoting the balance between bacteria and inflammation in the gut, allowing microbes to flourish and reduce inflammation. Making sure you're getting enough fiber in addition to carbohydrates, protein, and fat help regulate your weight, as well as promote fullness, which in turn helps with digestion. Fiber is high in several non-digestible carbohydrates and dietary fibers, which help slow the rate of breakdown of food into small fragments and promote digestion. Dietary fiber is not digested by the small intestine before moving into the large intestine for absorption into the bloodstream. So, while it may seem redundant, some experts believe there could be benefits in increasing the intake of dietary fiber for better digestion and more efficient use of limited resources within the GI tract.

Eliminating certain toxins:

Toxins in diets can be found in a number of ways, but three main sources are: Salty fish (such as salmon), eggs, and dairy products. Unpasteurized milk may also contain a wide variety of contaminants ranging from heavy metals to pathogens and E. coli. Raw vegetables are highly likely to be contaminated with salmonella, listeria, rotavirus, noroviruses, campylobacter, and others. A recent study found that raw leafy greens such as lettuce, cabbage, spinach, and collard greens were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, also known as MRSA, a bacterium that can cause illness in many species and produce serious complications. Cooking kills off potentially harmful agents, though consuming unpasteurized milk may release harmful agents into the environment. Sugars are often added to processed meat products. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs, deli meats, ham, ham hocks, jerky, and sausages are at high risk for salmonella contamination. Many plant-based foods have traces of nitrates, which are carcinogenic chemicals. Nitrates often occur naturally in food, either along with other ingredients and are present naturally. Foods high in nitrates, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, coffee and tea, bottled sodas, bread, frozen pizza, breakfast cereals, soda pop, and fruit juice, are associated with higher case numbers of colorectal cancer. They are also linked to chronic kidney disease. Sodium nitrate also occurs naturally but can be added to foods such as canned or smoked meats, prepared seafood dishes, soups, baked goods, etc. High levels of sodium nitrate in meat products are thought to contribute to increased blood pressure levels, as well as cancer, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and neurological deficiencies. Fruits and veggies containing high quantities of potassium, such as bananas and apples, also tend to be more alkaline. Consuming excess sodium nitrate, particularly around the dinner table, may result in blood pressure, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions.

 

Antibacterial/Probiotic Supplements:

Certain antibiotics (often referred to as antimicrobials) and probiotics (or prebiotics) can be helpful in fighting infections. Several studies have shown either a benefit either or both, while several investigations don't support either. Regardless of the particular brand name, the first step to choosing a supplement is to look for a registered product from an established manufacturer. The FDA regulates over 100% of all prescription drugs sold in the United States. Manufacturers of nutraceuticals, such as nutritional supplements, have to disclose their testing methods and results through rigorous quality assurance and manufacturing controls to assure their customers that the pills can be trusted. To learn more about the differences between natural and synthetically produced nutrients, click here. You can find information on general nutritional topics here or check out our extensive library of nutrition guides here.

 

Conclusion:

The digestive system is an amazing and intricate system that helps us break down the food we eat so that our bodies can use it for energy and nutrition. It's made up of many different organs, each with its own specific function, and all work together to keep us healthy. 

The digestive system is a vital part of the human body and its function is essential to our overall health. The organs of the digestive system work together to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste from the body. While we may not give it much thought on a daily basis, the digestive system is a fantastic feat of engineering and its importance should not be underestimated. The digestive system is a vital part of the human body, responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Although we might not think about it often, it's important to keep our digestive system healthy in order to maintain our overall health. By understanding the function of the digestive system.