The human body is comprised of different systems working together to maintain life known as homeostasis. The systems of the body include the digestive system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the musculoskeletal system, the endocrine system and the nervous system. Understanding the roles and functions of the individual systems and how they work together allows us to understand health and disease.

The digestive system consists of the digestive tract, a series of hollow organs connected in a long tube from the mouth to the anus, and organs that help break down and absorb food. The primary function of the digestive system is to absorb nutrients, water, minerals, and vitamins and to eliminate waste. The organs that comprise the digestive tract include the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus. These organs are lined by the mucosa, which contains tiny glands that produce substances to help digest food. They are surrounded by smooth muscle that helps mix food with digestive juices and move food through the digestive tract.

Digestion is the process by which food and drink are broken down into smaller molecules of nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the cells of the body. Digestion begins in the mouth when you chew and swallow food and is completed in the small intestine.

The esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach. A muscle known as the esophageal sphincter separates the esophagus from the stomach. As food approaches the sphincter, it relaxes and allows the food to enter the stomach. The stomach serves three functions. First, it stores food and drink so digestion can begin. This requires that the smooth muscle surrounding the stomach relaxes to allow the stomach to expand and accept large volumes of food and drink. Next, the stomach mixes the food and drink with the digestive juices produced by the mucosa. This is done by muscle contractions in the lower part of the stomach. Last, the stomach slowly empties the contents into the small intestine.

In the small intestine, digestive juices from the liver, the pancreas and the intestinal mucosa are mixed into the food to complete digestion. The digestive juices from the liver and the pancreas enter the intestine through ducts. Digested nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal wall and transported throughout the body. Undigested material such as fiber and dead cells are moved through to the large intestine (colon) where they remain until they are expelled by a bowel movement.

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases occur when there is a disruption in these natural processes. GI diseases include cancer, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), ulcerations (injury to mucosa), irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and liver disease. Many GI diseases are a result of a loss of balance in the digestive process. Good eating habits and the use of enzymes and supplements can often restore balance to these processes and improve GI health, reducing discomfort and the need for expensive medications.

The Total Health and Wellness Center of Taos will host a presentation by Melissa Golladay, pharmacist, in the use of supplements and enzymes to restore GI balance naturally. The presentation will be Friday, February 20, 2009, at 5 p.m. The cost will be only $10.00.

Reference: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/yrdd/.

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