The Basics of the Digestive System
The digestive system is composed of a series of organs working throughout the lower chest cavity. These organs include the stomach, liver, esophagus, intestines, colon, and rectum. The mouth is also part of the digestive tract, as it processes the food we eat, breaking it down for swallowing. Most digestion takes place in the alimentary canal, a long tract of tissue that runs from the mouth to the anus. As food passes through the canal, it becomes exposed to enzymes (or special proteins that create chemical reactions in the body) that break down all available nutrients into energy. What cannot be converted to energy is eventually dispelled from the body as feces.
However, the actual digestion time may surprise many people. It may take up to 24 hours for food to completely break down, with complete digestion of difficult foodstuffs even taking up to several days. A typical minimum time for food to pass through the small intestine - where the bulk of digestion takes place - can range anywhere from six to eight hours, depending on the age and physical condition of the person.
The digestive systems many and complex functions are controlled by hormones, or chemical sequences that help regulate the body's processes. These hormones are produced by the lining of the stomach and work quickly to regulate both digestion and the creation and expulsion of feces from the body. Proper nutrition is absolutely necessary for the digestive system to function properly. If it does not, the delicate balance of processes within the digestive system are upset, with the resulting illnesses and conditions that are synonymous with miserable discomfort: constipation, diarrhea, and can even lead to such serious diseases as colorectal cancer.
Over time, toxins and unprocessed foodstuffs can build up throughout the alimentary canal, causing the problems described above as well as weight gain, lack of energy, sleeplessness, and general feelings of lethargy. These toxins are in a very real way the dead weight of the body, eroding our systems from within and causing any number of painful conditions, especially in aging men.
Related Tags: toxins, digestion, colon health, colorectal cancer
Mike Kabel is Creative Content Editor for Too Cute Baby Gifts. Too Cute Baby Gifts has a broad selection of baby gift baskets to fit any occasion, with fast delivery and patient customer service, as well. To see a complete range of their products, please visit their online catalog at: http://www.toocutebabygifts.com.
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