Unit 2 Topic
Digestion is the process of breaking down the food we eat into their unit molecules such as, sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals so they can cross the plasma membrane and be used by our bodies. Digestion begins in the mouth with chewing the food and the saliva which contains enzymes for carbohydrates. From there the food passes through the pharynx down the esophagus into the stomach where more mechanical digestion takes place. In the stomach gastric juices such as pepsin digest proteins, Hydrochloric acid kills bacteria and breaks down meat and activates pepsin. The stomach does not absorb any nutrients its sole purpose is to store food, digest proteins, and control the flow chyme into the small intestines. Alcohol is absorbed through the stomach though because it is fat soluble and passes through the membrane. Chyme refers to partially digested food that is a thick semi fluid substance that enters the small intestines. In the intestines is where digestion is completed. More enzymes that digests all types of food primary carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are contained in the small intestines secreted by the pancreas. Bile from the liver and gallbladder combines fat into droplets that are hydrolyzed into glycerol and fatty acids by lipase. As the food is broken down the wall of the small intestines absorb sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerol. From there the sugars and amino acids from carbohydrates and proteins are absorbed into the vessels of a villus which enter blood capillaries and are transported all over the body. Fatty acids are absorbed into the epithelial cells of villi which are then too dispersed all over the body to cells. After passing through the small intestines and nutrients being absorbed its passed through the large intestines. Here is where water and vitamins produced by bacteria are absorbed. What is left is referred to as feces, the large intestines carry feces to the rectum where it collects until passed through exiting the body.
Glucose
As mentioned the pancreas aids in the digestion process by producing digestive enzymes for all types of food. Is also secretes a hormone called insulin into the blood. Insulin helps the level of glucose stay at a constant level. Glucose is sugar that our bodies use for energy during cellular respiration. When we eat food glucose is absorbed from what we ate into the body stream. When insulin is present in the blood stream the liver stores glucose as glycogen so it can be used later to keep a constant level of glucose in the body. If the liver or pancreas stop performing their duties serious problems can arise like diabetes. Diabetes type2 is when the pancreas stops producing insulin, resulting in too high blood sugar (glucose) level. This is referred to as hyperglycemia and the patient must get regular shots of insulin to keep the glucose levels down. (picture of insulin for diabetes type2)
Hypoglycemia is when the glucose level in blood is too low and they must eat something with sugar in it. Diabetes type 2 can occur because over the years cells become insulin resistant but the leading cause is from obesity. All diabetics should eat a healthy diet and exercise because they have a high risk for blindness, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. (picture of man eating sugar)
Nutrition
Which brings me to the importance of a healthy life style and eating foods high in nutrition. Many of the popular diets out there like the Atkin’s Diet stress organs out and further prove that a well balanced diet accompanied with exercise is necessary to keep homeostasis. Over a third of Americans are obese (having excess body fat) which is a leading cause to premature death, diabetes type2, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain kinds of cancers and many other diseases. The average American diet consists of fried, salty, sugary foods in large portions.
A healthy diet should consist of a variety of proteins, fiber, sodium, vitamins, minerals, lipids and carbohydrates. There are good carbohydrates and bad. Beans, peas, nuts, fruits and whole grain products are good complex carbohydrates while cake, cookies, and white refined bread are bad and should be avoided. Beans, peas, nuts, fruits and whole grain products are also a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals. As with Lipids (fats, oil, and cholesterol) some things should be avoided like red meats, bacon and butter which are foods high in saturated fats since they cause cardiovascular disease. Cooking food with canola oil or safflower oil should be used because they do not contain saturated fats instead they are polyunsaturated oils and are essential because they contain two fatty acids the body cannot make on its own. Sodium is essential to the body for regulating the body’s water balance. The average American is consuming between 4,000-4,700 mg a day when the body needs only 500mg a day. High sodium intake diets cause high blood pressure, edema and other problems. Protein is also essential to a healthy diet and many foods supply the needed amino acids. Even though amino acids (proteins) are needed daily it does not take very much to met the bodies needs. Most Americans are consuming twice to three times the amount needed. Its said that you need two servings a day. The catch is a serving is about the size of a deck of cards not the plate full most people are consuming. While not enough protein is harmful so is too much. A healthy balanced diet is easy to achieve, just start by watching your serving sizes, cutting out processed and fried foods, and eating more fruits and vegetables.
Work Cited
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