Equipping People To Make Sense Of What They Are Told
The mechanical and chemical breaking down of food into smaller components, into a
form that can be absorbed. After foodstuff has been broken down by the chewing action
in the mouth stomach acid breaks down the foodstuff further preparing it for absorption
or disposal.
Digestion is the process of conversion of complex substances into simpler ones for
easy absorption and assimilation by the body.
Many nutrients work together with their synergistic partner or partners, while other
nutrients oppose or antagonise each other. This complex dance illustrates the need
for a balanced intake of nutrients. Essential nutrients range across; Fats (EFA’s),
Vitamins, Carbohydrates, Proteins (Amino Acids), Minerals and Water.
When the bodies elimination and digestive systems are working effectively, nutrients
will be absorbed and assimilated much better.
Digestion begins in the mouth, the chewing of foodstuffs mixes it with saliva which
contains an enzyme (salivary amylase) which kick starts the process of digestion.
Salivary amylase breaks down some of the starch into sugars in the mouth.
Chewing foodstuff thoroughly ensures that this important digestive enzyme is mixed
with the foodstuff thus assisting effective digestion. Chewing also breaks down the
foodstuff into smaller pieces, and by so doing increases its surface area contributing
to the digestive process. The pancreas also makes amylase (alpha amylase) to break
down dietary starch
Down into the stomach where hydrochloric acid (produced by parietal cells - also
called oxyntic cells - in) creates a highly acidic environment in the stomach this
causes proteins from food to denature, and exposes the protein's peptide bonds.
Pepsin (an enzyme that is released by the chief cells in the stomach) degrades the
food proteins into peptides (amino acids are the basic structural building units
of proteins they form short polymer chains known as peptides). In addition, many
microorganisms have their growth inhibited by such an acidic environment which helps
to prevent infection as well as killing off any bacteria and parasites.
From the stomach out into the duodenum where acidity levels stimulate the liver and
pancreas to produce bicarbonate, this raises the pH level of the food (makes it more
alkali (alkalinity stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes.).
Bile salts - produced by the liver, are introduced, via the gall bladder, emulsifying
lipids and fat soluble vitamins in the intestine to reduce the size of the droplets
for absorption.
Lipase - Fat - Lipid - Digestion - which is broken down into Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides.
Further enzymes used in the final stages of digestion are secreted from the wall
of the intestine.
