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

2. Information provided from this power point is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a physician and/or other healthcare professional. The information provided is not to be, and should not be, used to diagnose or treat any medical or health conditions and/or as a prescription for the treatment of any disease, illness or health condition. The information provided in this power point should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this power point. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The decision to quit any medication should be discussed with your doctor as a "risk/benefit" discussion.

3. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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:
-______________________
_______________________

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. Intestinal villi-fingers for absorption

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.