Why Do We Eat?

Food provides us with

Energy for body processes Heat for body temperature regulation Building blocks for growth and maintenance of
body tissues

Constant turnover of substances Require energy to continue to function Require nutrients

What Happens to the Food We Eat?

The food we eat undergoes three processes:
1. Digestion 2. Absorption 3. Elimination

These processes occur in the gastrointestinal tract.our food processor!

What Happens to the Food We Eat?

Digestion
Digestion: the process of breaking large food molecules down to smaller molecules. Digestion includes:

Mechanical digestion: the physical breakdown

of food. Chemical digestion: enzymatic reactions that break down large food molecules.

Digestion: Chewing

Digestion: Swallowing

Digestion: Swallowing

Digestion: The Stomach

Rate of Stomach Emptying

2-6 hrs depending upon composition of meal High CHO content fastest High protein fast High fat slowest release of hormones that slow GI motility *Think about the composition of your breakfast...how hungry are you by lunch time?

Why does your stomach growl?

Gas in the stomach mixing with food or fluids. Growling tends to be louder when your stomach is empty as there is no food to muffle the noise!

Digestion: Accessory Organs

Digestion is complete when CHOs, proteins & fats are reduced to substances that can be absorbed & when vitamins & minerals are released from food.

Absorption
Absorption: the process of taking molecules across a cell membrane and into cells of the body. Nutrients are taken up by the lymph (fats) & circulatory (CHO & protein) systems for distribution to body cells for use or storage.

99% of CHO, 92% of protein & 95% of fat that we consume is digested & absorbed

Absorption

Elimination

Elimination
Undigested food components move through a sphincter called the illeocecal valve to the large intestines.

In the large intestine:

Very little digestion takes place Material is stored 12-24 hours prior to
elimination Water and some nutrients are absorbed

Elimination
Microflora Synthesize small amts of fatty acids, some B vitamins & vitamin K By product of bacterial metabolism is gas (200 to 2000mL per day!) Feces Undigested matter, dead cells, secretions from the GI tract, water and bacteria

Should you feed your flora?! Probiotic therapy

300-500 different species! # of bacteria living in your gut is 10X greater

than the total # of cells in your entire body!

Breakdown indigestible substances, synthesize

vitamins, metabolize harmful substances and help with intestinal immune function

Probiotic therapy
Ingestion of good or healthy bacteria Improve digestion of lactose in lactose-intolerant people Prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use or intestinal infections Reduce the production of toxic substances in the colon Inhibit the activity of enzymes that produce carcinogens

Disadvantages
Once they are no longer consumed, probiotics wash out of the system quite quickly Growth of healthy bacteria can be promoted by consuming prebiotics -currently sold as supplements -also in tube feeding formulas Risk of using probiotics or prebiotics are considered negligible

Disorders Related to Digestion

Excluding childbirth, digestive disorders (heartburn, hemorrhoids, IBS & ulcers) are the leading cause of hospitalization among Canadian adults aged 20-44 years!

Constipation Myths!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Poisonous substances are absorbed from stools & cause autointoxication disease Extra long colons cause constipation All cases of constipation are caused by inadequate fiber intake You can treat it by drinking plenty of fluid You can lose weight & stay healthy if you take laxatives regularly If you do not have a bowel movement everyday there is something wrong with you

Disorders Related to Digestion

Peptic ulcers are regions of the GI tract that have been eroded by HCL and pepsin. Duodenal ulcers are 10X more common than stomach ulcers The bacterium Helicobacter pylori contributes to the production of both stomach and duodenal ulcers.

Ulcers

Antacids
Can be an overlooked source of nutrients check the label!!

Alka-seltzer Na+ & HCO3- (1 tablet has 24% of DV for Na +)

Some antacids contain aluminum limits phosphorus absorption & causes constipation

Some contain Ca++ & magnesium hydroxide something that many diets are low in so the amts in the tablets could be an ok supplement higher doses of magnesium cause diarrhea!
Many also contain sugar (taste) and starch (filler)

Disorders Related to Digestion

Celiac disease

Complete intolerance for gluten, a protein

found in wheat, rye, barley. Can damage the small intestine leading to poor absorption of nutrients. Requires a diet lacking wheat, rye, barley. There may be a genetic component to the disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome -affects 10-15% of the population

Symptoms

Cramps, bloating, increased frequency, diarrhea,

constipation

Causes

Altered intestinal peristalsis Decrease pain threshold

Moderate caffeine Low-fat, small, frequent meals Stress reduction

Individualized treatment

Disorders Related to Digestion

Diarrhea

Can be caused by food intolerances, infection

of the GI tract, stress, bowel disorders or deficiencies of Vit A, zinc or other nutrients Can lead to severe dehydration Is more dangerous for children and the elderly Resting the Gut nada! Once rehydrated, should eat solid foods such as yogurt, potatoes, chicken, rice cereals etc. to provid nutrients to repair the intestinal tract.

Gallstones
Major cause of illness and surgery

Solid material in the gallbladderprimarily cholesterol

Excess body weight a risk. especially in women.

Lead to pain in the upper abdomen and bloating

Surgical removal of the gallbladder most common

Prevention of gallstones: avoid overweight, limit animal protein, high fiber diet, regular physical activity

Lactose Maldigestion & Intolerance

Lactose found in milk & milk products presents a problem for most of the worlds adults Occurs more commonly in populations that have no historical links to dairy farming & milk drinking Asian Americans 90% Africans & African Americans 70% Asian s 65% or more

Production of lactase is genetically determined some adults produce little or no lactase & can consume very little milk product some adults produce some lactase & can tolerate limited amounts of milk products **Lactase tablets can help a bit but benefit is limited due to inactivation of lactase by digestive processes in the stomach

So why doesnt the yogurt bother me?

Many lactose-intolerant people can consume fermented milk products (aged cheese, buttermilk) The bacteria used to culture the product can digest or more of the lactose

If you have lactose maldigestion

Should NOT eliminate milk & milk products from the diet Fortified soy milk Low-lactose cows milk Yogurt Parmesan cheese Aged cheese Kefir