Lesson 2: Digestive System and Nutrition

Alimentary Canal

Organs forming a pathway extending from the mouth to the anus.

Peristalsis

the involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine, creating wave-like movements that push contents of the canal forward.

Rugae

Gastric folds

Essential Nutrients

A nutrient that the body cannot synthesize on its own and must be provided by the diet.

Non-essential Nutrients

Nutrients that can be made by the body.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

• Stored in the fatty tissue (adipose tissue) up to 6 months

• A, D, E, K

Vitamin A

Vision, Reproduction, Bone Health, Immune System, Skin

Vitamin D

Strengthens Bones, Calcium Absorption, Immune System

Vitamin E

Immune System, Flushes Toxins

Vitamin K

Blood Clotting, Bone Health

Water Soluble Vitamins

• Enters bloodstream and excess is eliminated through urine.

• Not stored in the body.

• B1, B2, B3, Folate, B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, C

Pernicios Anemia

Vitamin B12 anemia

Hyponatremia

Low Blood Sodium

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Measure of body fat based on height and weight

Auditory Learning

Done by learning

Visual Learning

Done by reading information

Kinesthetic Learning

Uses body movement and interact with their environments when learning

Digestion

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of foods into forms that the body cells can absorb.

• Organs of digestion

• Accessory organs

Churning

Mixes substances

The digestive system contains…

• 10 organs

• 20 specialized cell types

• 9m length

Gastrointestinal Tract

Twisting channel that transports food

Organ Trio: Pancreas, Gallbladder, & Liver

Breaks down food using juices

Enzymes, Hormones, Nerves & Blood

Works together to break down food, modulate the digestive process, and deliver final products

Mesentery

Large tissue that supports and positions all organs in the abdomen.

Bolus

Moist lump after chewing food

Mouth

Responsible for initiating digestion using chewing and saliva.

Mastication

Chewing

Teeth

Decrease size of food particles

• 32 ct, 16 upper and lower jaw.

Salivary Glands

Makes saliva

Pharynx

Throat; passageway between oral and esophagus

Esophagus

• Tube connecting mouth to stomach

• Uses peristalsis

Stomach

• Receives food from esophagus; continues breakdown using gastric juices.

• Propels food into small intestine

• Contains rugae

• Located in LUQ

Liver

• Produces bile needed to break down fats

• Located in RUQ

Gallbladder

• Stores bile

• Connects to duodenum

Pancreas

• Connects to duodenum

• Produces enzymes that aid in digestion

Small Intestine

• Main site for absorption of nutrients

• DIvided into 3 sections: Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum

Large Intestine (Colon)

• Responsible for absorption of nutrients

• Feces is formed from solid waste

Large Intestine Sections

Cecum: connects to Ileum, where appendix is located

Ascending Colon

Transverse Colon

Descending Colon

Sigmoid Colon

Cecum

Connects to the Ileum, where appendix is located.

Appendix

• Thin tube joined to the large intestine.

• Part of immune system

• Serves as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria

Nutrients

Necessary food substabces

• Carbohydrates

• Proteins

• Lipids (fats)

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Water

Carbohydrates

• Broken down into glucose

• Main source of energy for cells, tissues, and organs

Lipids

• Fats, cholesterol, triglycerides

• Serves as structural components of cell membranes

• Function as energy

Proteins

Needed for tissue repair and growth

Vitamins

• Needed for normal growth development

• Fat-soluble vs. Water-soluble

Minerals

• Needed for keeping bones, muscles, heart, and brain working properly.

• Found in bones and teeth

Adult Calorie Intake

1800-2200 calories per day

Saturated Fats

Raises LDL (bad cholesterol)

Unsaturated Fats

Most healthy

Trans Fat

Used to preserve processed foods, raises LDL (bad cholesterol)

Cholesterol

Made in the liver

Low-density (LDL)

Bad cholesterol

High-Density (HDL)

Good cholesterol

Fiber Functions

• Slows the time food takes to pass to stomach

• Adds bulk to stool

• Absorbs some wastes

• Lowers cholesterol levels

• Slows glucose absorption

Fiber helps prevent:

• Gallstones

• Hemorrhoids

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Diverticulosis

Soluble Fibers

Dissolves in water

Insoluble Fibers

Does not dissolve in water

Major Minerals

Needed in small quantities

Trace Minerals

Needed in smaller quantities

Vitamin C

Antioxidant, aids in absorption of iron

Iron

Necessary for RBC formation

Dietary Needs: Diabetes

• Low Sodium

• Sweets in moderation

• Balanced diet

• Limited calories

Dietary Needs: Cancer

• High protein

• Vitamin supplements

• Small, frequent meals

Dietary Needs: Cardiovascular Disease

• Reduced Cholesterol

• Low Sodium

• High Fiber

• Little to no alcohol

Dietary Needs: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Low fat

• No spice, coffee, mints, chocolate, or dairy

• High fiber

Anorexia Nervosa

Self-starvation, fear of weight gain, excessive exercising, no menstrual periods.

Bulimia

• Eating large amounts of food and purging.

• Buying & consuming large amounts of food, then purging.

• Using bathroom after eating

• Laxative use

• Depression

Appendicitis

Inflammation and infection of the appendix

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease leading to scarring of the tissue. Caused by medication, alcohol use, hepatitis B or C

Cholelithiasis

Gallstones

Colitis

Inflammation of the large intestine; viral or bacterial

Constipation

Difficult in defecation; more common in elderly, increased fiber can help

Crohn’s disease

Inflammatory bowel disease; typically affects small intestine

Gastritis

Inflammation of the stomach

Diverticulitis

Inflammation of diverticula.

Diverticula

Small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of the digestive system.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver; often through viral infections (A, B, C, D, and E)

Hiatal Hernia

Portion of stomach protrudes into the chest.

Stomach Ulcer

Caused by bacterial infection, smoking, medication. Painful sores in the stomach lining.