Digestion & metabolism
The human body needs the energy to function. That energy comes from food, but only after it has been processed into substances that can be assimilated by various parts of the body.
Some nutrients, such as minerals, can be absorbed directly along the way down the digestive tract, but substances such as proteins have to be broken down into smaller molecules.
Food processing
Digestion starts in the mouth, where saliva containing amylase, a digestive enzyme, lubricates food when it is chewed.
In an acidic environment, proteins and fats are broken down in the stomach, and salt, water, and alcohol are taken up.
Acidity is neutralized outside the stomach (in the duodenum) until the food is processed with secretions from related digestive organs — the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Liver and gallbladder bile emulsifies fats, while pancreatic enzymes break down proteins, starch, and fats.
Using nutrients
The liver is, in effect, the chemical factory of the body. Among many critical metabolic functions, it stores glucose, vitamins, and minerals produced by food processing but not immediately usable by the body and facilitates the breakdown of fats, which is vital for the conversion of food into energy.
As well as digestive enzymes, the pancreas produces insulin (a hormone), and glycogen (a starch), both of which regulate sugar levels. Diabetes is the result of diminished insulin action. In the small intestine, the breakdown of food is completed.
Nutrients are absorbed into the blood, carried to cells, and used in the release of energy.
Undigested food is expelled from the anus. Digestive ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis are believed to result from, among other factors, an unsuitable diet or chemical imbalances in the metabolic process.
Mechanism of Action of the Digestive System
Indigestion, constipation, bloating or gastrointestinal ailments are only one of the few digestive system related issues.
The key factors that affect the proper functioning of the digestive system are nutrition, lifestyle, as well as the stress level to which we are exposed daily.
Proper digestion of the food is necessary in order to provide an immune system, healthy, balanced well-being, and to be energy-effective.
For this reason, we suggested providing more information on the digestive apparatus and exploring the list of plants that serve to treat ailments and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract but also to adjust the digestive system's optimum functioning.
The digestive system is responsible for the transformation of the products that we absorb for the whole body into energy and nutrients.
The system consists of numerous muscles, nerves, hormones, bacteria, and blood vessels that work together to ensure the proper nutrients to sustain the organism.
The digestive system does not operate as a single or separate entity, though.
It is closely linked to the nervous system, endocrine system, and the immunity system because the digestive process starts from the hypothalamus, the part of the most significant part of the brain ( Cerebrum ) that is responsible for stimulating the appetite.
In addition, the brain is what affects the way you digest the food, besides the health and welfare of the organism.
The time for food digestion varies depending on each of the individual's gender.
The digestive cycle spans 6 to 8 hours from the moment we feed, and before the food enters the colon.
As we have mentioned, the digestive system is made of many organs; each one has its role in the digestion process. Here is how, overall, the food digestion happens :
- The mouth: saliva and the mastication process are responsible for food transformation in bigger chunks, that are sometimes swallowed and transported through the esophagus down to the stomach.
- The Spleen: protects the organism against infections and the blood loss, by cleaning the blood impurities and its residual deposits.
- The stomach contains chlorhydric acid and digestive enzymes that contribute to the food digestion.
- The Liver is responsible for bile production and its release in the small intestine.
- The Gallbladder: it deposits the bile formed between the meals.
- The Pancreas: contributes to the chemical digestion of the food and secrets insulin, a hormone that regulates the quantity of the blood sugar, enabling/ensuring, thus the organism sanity.
- The small intestine is responsible for the completion of the digestive process.
- The colon: it closes the digestive process and assures the transformation of the alimentary residues in feces.
THE MESENTERY
The new organ is observed in our digestive systems , known as
the mesentery, and was long thought to be assembled of fragmented, separate structures.
Yet recent work has shown it
is in fact one, continuous organ.
The mesentery is a double fold of peritoneal tissue that suspends the small intestine and large intestine from the posterior abdominal wall. .
The ‘root’ of the mesentery is the point where the mesentery attaches to the posterior abdominal wall, and is therefore a ‘bare area’.
Atlas of Descriptive Human Anatomy Antique book plate.Published in Barcelona.1892. Drawer:Magin Caba
Vasculature
Innervations
Innervations
Innervations
Inferior Mesenteric Plexus
Lymphatics
Innervations
Innervations
Lymphatics of Abdomen and Pelvis
Herbs & Essential oils
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger has been used in the treatment of indigestion and stomach cramps for more than 200 years.
Zingiber officinale is used in various natural therapies, which help to alleviate digestive disorders.
Pepperminth (menta piperita)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Mentha Piperita is used for different conditions, and this helps to alleviate bile secretion problems, sluggish digestion, and flatulence concerning the digestive system.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Chamomile extract has a positive effect on cramps and diarrhea. Moreover, chamomile will prevent certain gastrointestinal issues from arising.
Lavender (Lavendula)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Lavender oil has various medicinal properties and can be used for bloating symptoms, digestive related problems due to abdominal colic pain overload.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Chamomile (Matricaria officinale)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric-is a herb mainly used for food spicing in the Asian cuisine.
This has anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-microbial properties are useful for calming the bloating states and preserving proper liver function.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
The proper St John's Wort herb-based remedies are available in the form of tea and tincture. H. perforatum has been used since ancient times
for stomach pain, liver detoxification, and digestive problems.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
This plant is considered to carry on the entire organism its multiple benefits.
Rosemary promotes the formation and removal of bile in the digestive system, and leads to spasm reduction.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Salvia officinalis is a helpful herb for various ailments.
Sage tea is used to support the digestive process; inasmuch as it supports the normal bile release and reduces the feeling of bloating.