What you should know about 'gut' knowledge

The intestine is a very important organ, but it has not received enough attention from people. Data shows that over 90% of Chinese people suffer from varying degrees of gastrointestinal problems, and the vast majority of them have never taken these issues seriously

The intestine is a very important organ, but it has not received enough attention from people. Data shows that over 90% of Chinese people suffer from varying degrees of gastrointestinal problems, and the vast majority of them have never taken these issues seriously.

The intestine is essentially a long tube, starting from our mouth and ending at our anus. We usually think that the gut is helping us digest food and absorb nutrients, but its importance goes far beyond that. Below, we will learn about some basic "gut" knowledge.

What is the job of the intestines?

Indeed, as we know, the gut decomposes food into nutrients that can be absorbed and utilized by the body. After processing all the useful things provided by food, the gut will discharge waste.

At the same time, the intestine also helps regulate the immune system. 70% of our immune cells are in our intestines. Some foreign invaders may enter our body through the food we eat, and the immune cells and beneficial bacteria in the digestive system provide the first line of defense for the invaders.

• Food digestion

Digestion is the primary task of the intestine. Digestion is the process by which the body converts food into energy that cells can utilize. The cells that make up our body cannot directly obtain the nutrients they need from food. Digestion is basically the process of breaking down large molecules in food into small molecules that can be absorbed by cells and used for our bodily functions

Cells are the cornerstone of life. Our bodies have cells with similar structures that form tissues, which then form organs, and organ forming systems that work together for certain specific functions. When it comes to the gut, it is an important part of our digestive system, which is responsible for converting food into small energy packs that the body can utilize. We need this process to survive.

The digestion process involves the cooperation between muscles and enzymes, as well as multiple organs and systems. This process is both mechanical and chemical, as if there are "engines" and "biochemical laboratories" in our bodies.

The mechanical part of digestion means it is related to physical forces, which are at work during the digestion process: food is chewed and then swallowed; In our stomachs, food is constantly stirred; Gastrointestinal peristalsis is a process of internal muscle contraction that causes food to move forward in the digestive tract. These are all very mechanical processes.

The chemical part of digestion involves the action of digestive juices and enzymes, which break down food particles into nutrients that are then absorbed by the body. The chemical processes of digestion occur simultaneously with all mechanical processes. Different parts of the digestive tract release various digestive juices and enzymes, helping to convert food particles into small molecule nutrients.

• Nutrient absorption

Another task of the gut is to obtain nutrients from food, absorb them, and then transport them to other systems in the body. Nutrients refer to substances that contain essential nutrients for maintaining life, which are essential for maintaining the normal functioning of the body.

So how does our body absorb and utilize nutrients? It depends on which nutrient it is. Nutrients are mainly divided into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which can be relatively quickly decomposed to provide the body with more direct energy.

Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. These substances act as catalysts in chemical reactions that involve the release of energy from macronutrients. Like many substances in the human body, these two nutrients need to have a symbiotic relationship, in other words, they should work happily together.

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The two main ways for nutrients to pass through the intestinal wall are called active transport and passive transport. In passive transport, nutrients can be transferred from the intestinal tract to the blood, which only requires a small amount of cell energy. This is a very easy path. All vitamins enter our blood through passive transport. In the process of active transportation, nutrients need a molecule called "carrier", which is usually an enzyme to help nutrients directly enter the overall circulation of the body. Both of these pathways help to transfer nutrients to other systems in the body.

• waste disposal

We all produce waste during the digestion process, so how is this waste removed? Understanding the waste removal mechanism of the human body can help us understand what is normal, so that we can better identify problems and promptly address them when they arise.

When our digestive and circulatory systems break down food and absorb nutrients together, there will be some residual substances. These undigested and unutilized food residues will enter our large intestine, and the water in them will be absorbed. They will eventually become feces and be excreted through the rectum and anus, so that we can remove these waste materials

So, where does urine come from? This is the responsibility of the urinary system. Our kidneys are like filters. When blood flows through the kidneys, urea, inorganic salts, glucose, water, and some harmful substances in the blood enter the renal sacs through the filtration of the glomeruli, forming protourine. When they pass through the renal tubules, some of the substances useful for human body will be reabsorption by the renal tubules and returned to the blood, such as all glucose, some inorganic salts and water, while the rest will form urine, which will be transported to the bladder through the ureter for storage, and finally discharged through the urethra.

• immune

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Our diet directly affects the number and composition of bacteria in our intestines.immune

as time goes on,immuneimmune So, it is extremely important to take care of our intestines by consuming the right diet.

How do the various parts of the intestine work together?

The intestines are crucial to our health, as they work together with other organs of our nervous system, circulatory system, and digestive system. When we are hungry, our central nervous system begins to send signals to our gastrointestinal tract, secreting enzymes and hormones that will help us break down food. Once food enters, different parts of the digestive system begin to work together.

When we start chewing and swallowing food, intestinal secretions increase and muscles begin to contract. After tumbling in the stomach, food moves forward through the small intestine and large intestine. Finally, when the nutrients in the food are fully absorbed, the remaining residue will be discharged through the anus.

So, how does each part of our intestines complete this process?

• Mouth, tongue, and salivary glands

Our central nervous system sends signals to the salivary glands in our mouth, causing them to produce and secrete more saliva. So, food can indeed make your mouth water. Once food reaches our tongue, our taste buds begin to move, and the salivary glands produce more saliva Saliva contains an important digestive enzyme called amylase, which can break down the starch we consume and convert it into simple sugars. The main work of breaking down starch is done in the small intestine, but it starts from our oral cavity. Approximately 30% of starch is digested in the oral cavity.

With the help of our tongue, our teeth push food and grind it to pieces. This mechanical process breaks down food into small pieces and leads to the secretion of more saliva. The soft food in the mouth after chewing is now ready for the next stop in the intestines.

• Pharynx and esophagus

Pharynx is what we commonly refer to as the throat. It receives the food we chew, and our tongue and upper jaw push the food there. Our pharynx forks into the trachea and esophagus, with the trachea leading to the lungs and the esophagus leading to the stomach. So, sometimes, food does not directly enter our stomach, and they may accidentally enter the trachea, leading to coughing; In severe cases, food trapped in the trachea can affect our breathing and lead to suffocation. So, take your time and chew slowly while eating.

Ideally, when swallowing, the trachea will temporarily close, allowing food to enter the esophagus. Our esophagus is composed of muscles, which contract and push food to the stomach

• stomach

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• small intestine

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Intestinal epithelial cells release nutrients into the circulatory system through the passive transport and active transport mechanisms discussed earlier, and then transport nutrients to other parts of the body.small intestine

• large intestine

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The feces are eventually pushed towards the rectum, causing the rectal wall to stretch. The receptors on the rectal wall communicate with our spinal cord, increasing the pressure on the anal sphincter. This is when we want to go to the bathroom. Of course, if the external conditions do not allow defecation at this time, we can control defecation by contracting the external anal sphincter.

How does the gut work with the brain?

Our brain is responsible for storing memories, allowing us to experience various emotions, and it also sends signals to other systems in the body, including our digestive system, to prepare for their normal operation. The receptors and nerves in the gut and brain enable communication between them.The neural pathways connecting the intestines and brain not only involve digestion and are influenced by digestion, but also participate in and are influenced by emotions

• Digestion starts with our brain

Our brain is responsible for processing the five most basic human senses, including vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. The combination of taste and smell allows us to experience the true taste of food. Hunger and thirst are physiological factors that drive people to need to eat. We can feel these factors in different parts of the intestine, but what we eat and how we eat are influenced by other more subtle psychological factors.

Sometimes we may eat when we are not hungry or out of boredom or sadness; Sometimes, certain flavors can activate a sense of pleasure in the brain, and you may eat more for pleasure rather than need. Then, when you want to repeat this experience, you will choose foods that satisfy this taste preference. Taste is an irresistible force,Our impulse to pursue happiness is not always consistent with reasonable nutritional choices, which is also the fundamental contradiction of many intestinal health problems. What we desire is not always the best for us

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• Intestinal nervous system

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Intestinal nervous systemThey also play an important role in regulating our overall emotions and physical health

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