The Digestive System

Let’s look at the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
This may seem an unusual subject, but how many of us really understand how our bodies actually work. For me the digestive system is the most important system in the body if that does not function properly then the remainder of our body organs will not have much of a chance I thought I would give you an insight into the workings of this remarkable organ and its ancillary organs, and I hope this will give you a better understanding of how at least one part of the body works, if you do not already know!

The Organs of Digestion are divided into two sections: The alimentary canal – about nine metres long, starting at the mouth and ending at the anus.
The ancillary organs – assist with digestion, absorption and storage of food substances. These are the pancreas, liver and gall bladder.
When we eat such things as bread, meat, and vegetables, they are not in a form that the body can use as nourishment. Our food and drink must be changed into smaller molecules of nutrients before they can be absorbed into the blood and carried to cells throughout the body.

Digestion is the process by which food and drink are broken down into their smallest parts so that the body can use them to build and nourish cells and to provide energy.

Digestion involves the mixing of food, its movement through the digestive tract, and the chemical breakdown of the large molecules of food into smaller molecules. Digestion begins in the mouth, when we chew and swallow; its moves from here into the pharynx, and esophagus then into the stomach were strong hydrochloric acid and other enzymes (this depend on the type of food consumed) brake down the food further so that it can be absorbed via the small intestine into the blood stream.
After digestion the residue from the small intestine, which is mainly liquid empties into the large intestine whereby a signal transmits from the brain which stimulates expulsion of faeces. If we eat good healthy life giving food, our intestines will also stay healthy, but sadly it is a fact of life that we often eat food that is high in saturated fat, salt, sugar and E numbers. This has a profound effect on the digestive system and this often leads to many illnesses such as, diverticulitis, crohn’s disease, bloating and cancer.

If we can keep our intestines ‘clean’ we have a much better chance of avoiding the above illnesses, this can only really be done by changing our eating habits and introducing food that is right for our bodies. These include fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, raw nuts and seeds and some proteins such as oily fish and poultry with a small amount of red and white meats. Grains should be whole grains and where possible use brown rice, integral couscous, bulgur wheat, quinoa, and millet, yes it is not only for budgies!!!

This article was written by Jean Sampson of The RightLifestyle you can read more about what she does by clicking here