How to keep Proper digestive function

The digestive system is a group of organs working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body. Food passes through a long tube inside the body known as the alimentary canal or the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The alimentary canal is made up of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines. In addition to the alimentary canal, there are several important accessory organs that help your body to digest food but do not have food pass through them. Accessory organs of the digestive system include the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Digestive System Functions.

Mouth

The first part of the digestive system is mouth which is the primary entry point of food consumption. The teeth chew the food which breaks it up into small, more easily digestible pieces. The saliva present within your mouth mixes with the food to start the process of digestion.

Esophagus

The esophagus is the gateway for food to enter your stomach from your mouth, which can be found in your throat, near the windpipe. It uses muscular contractions (known as peristalsis) to deliver the food from your mouth to your stomach.

Stomach

When the chewed food has passed through the mouth and the esophagus, it reaches the stomach where the food is broken down into usable substances and forms. The breaking down is achieved through stomach acid which is released from the cell lining of the stomach and powerful enzymes which help to further break down the food.

Small Intestine

The food then moves from the stomach to the small intestine, once they have been sufficiently processed. The small intestine is a long muscular tube that releases enzymes to further break down the molecules. Small intestine can be divided into 3 sections: the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The continuous break-down process is mainly achieved in the duodenum, while the jejunum and ileum provide the bloodstream with nutrients which are obtained from the food. Once the content has passed through the lower intestine, it is transformed from a semi-solid state to liquid form due to the break-down process and the enzymes released.

The Colon, Rectum and Anus

The colon, rectum and anus provide an important digestive system function. These are known as the lower GI tract, and are solely responsible for producing and excreting solid waste from food that has been consumed.

Once food has been processed and passed through the small intestine, the waste that cannot be used by the body is moved to the colon where it is transform into solid waste (feces). The colon is made up of four parts: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon. From the colon the waste substance is moved and stored in the rectum. Once this delivery is achieved, a signal is sent to the brain which triggers the need of excreting the solid waste. Then the feces are released through the anus.

Accessory Digestive Organs

Although named accessory digestive organs, each organ listed below is important to efficient digestive system function.

Pancreas creates the enzymes that are released into the small intestine (duodenum) which break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Liver processes the blood to remove any waste and impurities and secretes bile to aid digestion in the small intestine.

Gallbladder: The bile made in the liver is not always required by the small intestine. In that case, the excessive bile is stored in the gallbladder and will be used latter. The bile has 2 functions: aiding in absorbing fats in foods and carrying wastes form liver that can't go through the kidneys.

Where Do Digested Food Molecules Go?

Most digested food molecules are absorbed in the small intestine and then enter the bloodstream which then carries the useful molecules around the body to perform various functions. Simple sugars, glycerol, amino acids and some vitamins are transported via bloodstream to the liver and other body parts. The lymphatic system, a network of vessels, absorbs fatty acids and carries them, along with lymph and white blood cells, throughout the body.

What Controls the Digestive System?

The digestive system is controlled by two types of regulators: hormone and nerve.

Hormone regulators are created in the small intestine and stomach lining cells. Their purpose is to control appetite and promote the production of digestive juices, essential to maintain your proper digestive system function.

Nerve Regulators are made up of both intrinsic and extrinsic nerves. The intrinsic nerves are activated when food pushes the walls of the organs within the GI tract. Intrinsic nerves release many chemicals that regulate the speed of the digestive process. Extrinsic nerves connect the organs of the digestive system to the spinal cord and the brain. The nerves release a substance that causes the muscle layer within the GI tract to contract or relax (dependent on whether there is food to be digested or not).

Here are some Steps to Maintain Digestive Health

.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Include a broad spectrum of colorful fruits and vegetables, including dried fruits in your diet. They're packed with important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that provide a broad array of health benefits including enhancing your digestive health. Fruits and vegetables contain fiber and a broad range of nutrients important for maintaining digestive health. Read more about the benefits of fiber below. Eating fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet may also help reduce your risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers.

Get Plenty of Fiber

Fiber can help your GI tract stay "regular," improve cardiovascular health and regulate blood sugar levels. Fiber also reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, enhances proper bowel function, prevents constipation and diverticulosis, and provides a feeling of fullness without adding calories. It is found in plant sources, so be sure to eat a diet containing a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. Health and nutrition experts recommend eating 14 grams of dietary fiber per 1,000 calories consumed. Fiber is found only in plant food, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It's the part of the plant that is not digested in the human body. It's important to eat foods containing both soluble fiber, such as oat bran and beans, and insoluble fiber, such as whole-wheat products. Both forms are necessary for a healthful diet.

Soluble fiber mixes with water to create a gel-like consistency; this slows digestion to help the body absorb more nutrients and remove substances like cholesterol. Soluble fiber may play a protective role in heart disease and diabetes. Research has shown that eating foods with soluble fiber can help control the blood levels of both cholesterol and glucose. Oats and oat bran, nuts, legumes, peas, and some fruits and vegetables such as dried plums, apples and carrots all provide soluble fiber.

Insoluble fiber does not mix with water but adds bulk to stool and helps move food through the digestive system. Insoluble fiber helps prevent conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as constipation, diverticulosis (a condition effecting 10% of people over the age of 40 where sections of the colon protrude through weak spots forming what look like pouches) and hemorrhoids. Insoluble fiber may also play a role in preventing some types of cancer. Whole grains (especially wheat bran), skins of fruits, dried plums and many vegetables (cauliflower and potatoes) provide insoluble fiber.

Consume Adequate Protein

Consume adequate protein, especially vegetable protein, as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Try non-animal foods such as beans and soy products. In today's world, proteins are obtained from two main sources: animal foods (e.g. beef, chicken and fish) and plant foods (e.g. soy and bean sources). Although animal sources of protein contain many important vitamins and minerals, they also contain saturated fats and cholesterol. Plant proteins, like beans, soy products and nuts, contain more beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fats but no cholesterol. When you do choose animal protein, choose lean meats, poultry and fish.

Get Your Nutrients from Food First

The nutrients obtained from food play a vital role in the health of the entire body, including digestive health. The human body needs a broad spectrum of nutrients in order to function optimally throughout your lifetime. Getting the right nutrients is about more than feeling good in the present day, it's about a liftetime of health and wellness.

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for vision, growth, healthy skin and hair, tooth development, reproduction, and the immune system. The main form of vitamin A found in dried plums is beta-carotene, which functions as an antioxidant.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in limited amounts in food like salmon, tuna and fortified dairy products. Vitamin D can be produced by the human body after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Vitamin D helps to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral found in the human body. It is responsible for building strong bones and teeth. It is also needed for muscle contraction, blood vessel contraction and expansion, the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and for sending messages through the nervous system. Calcium is found primarily in dairy products, some vegetables and fortified foods.

Potassium helps maintain normal blood pressure and is necessary for nerve impulses and muscle contractions. It is also important in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance throughout the body. Potassium has been linked to reducing high blood pressure and the risk of stroke. A serving of dried plums (5 dried plums) provides 8 percent of the recommended Daily Value (3500mg daily) for potassium.

Iron is a crucial nutrient for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia can develop if the body lacks the iron necessary to make red blood cells. Iron is especially important for women and children.

Folic Acid is a B vitamin that can reduce the risk for neural tube defects. It also protects against heart disease and stroke through its role in the metabolism of the amino acid, homocysteine. Elevated levels of homocysteine are thought to contribute to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline in the elderly.

Limit Fats and Concentrated Sweets

Instead, emphasize complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains, because they are higher in fiber and contain many of the important nutrients needed for optimal digestive health. Studies show that a low-fiber, high-fat diet can increase the risk for some types of cancer, obesity, adult-onset diabetes and heart disease. Health and nutrition experts recommend choosing a diet that provides no more than 30 percent of calories from fat, and that most of those fats be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.

Stay Hydrated

Get enough fluids from beverages and foods you eat. Include a beverage with every meal or snack. 

Healthy digestion requires adequate fluid intake. Many factors such as exercise, weather, weight and health affect how much water is right for you. The standard recommendation is to consume the equivalent of 8 glasses of water a day. Whichever guideline you use, it is important to make sure you are drinking enough fluids throughout the day, whether it is in the form of simple water, or water-rich food sources such as soup.

Try adding lemon or cucumber slices to water for a refreshing twist. Decaffeinated herbal teas are also a wonderful way to hydrate.

 Eat Mindfully

How you eat can be as important as what you eat. Eat slowly, stop eating when you feel full, and avoid eating just before bedtime. Make time for proper nutrition. Take along good-for-you portable snacks, such as fresh fruit like apples and strawberries or dried fruit like dried plums, granola or almonds. Eat until you are satisfied but not stuffed; there's no need to finish your plate if you aren't hungry anymore. Eating too much can cause digestive symptoms including heartburn and stomach upset. Save the rest of your meal for later or serve smaller portions. Focus on your meal when you eat. Avoid working, walking around or other distractions.

Keep Moving

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, doing activities you like, such as walking, aerobic or strength-building activities. If you can't fit 30 minutes in every day do whatever you can, when you can. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to work, or take a walk during your lunch break. In addition to cardio and weight-training exercises, try to incorporate fitness into everyday life. Activities like taking stairs rather than elevators, power walking during lunch and coffee breaks, and taking the long way when walking can make a significant difference.

   
Stay Calm

Manage your stress. Stress has a direct effect on digestive health. Build time for relaxation into your daily routine. Taking care of your emotional well-being is important for your physical well-being. Stress affects the way the digestive system functions. Depending on the way an individual's body reacts, stress can cause the passage of food through the digestive system to slow down or to speed up, which can cause abdominal pain and/or diarrhea. Digestive muscles may exert less effort and digestive enzymes may be secreted in smaller amounts when you are under stress. Stress can also worsen symptoms of conditions such as peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Your body and mind need time to rejuvenate and relax. Try taking a walk as part of your lunch break as a way to revitalize.   

Pay Attention to Your Body

You'll be able to feel the positive effects of healthy lifestyle choices. If you feel low in energy, get up and move your body; it might just perk you up! If you are satisfied, stop eating. When your stomach feels stuffed, you've probably eaten too much. Think about wellness, not disease.