Dietary

Each step of the digestion process is unique to the individual. There is no real set time limit on how long the entire digestion process takes. There is however normal ranges for digestion. In most healthy adults the entire process takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.

The path of food through the human digestive system includes the following structures and organs: First starting that the mouth includes: the teeth that grind food. Saliva a mucin lubricant buffers to neutralize acidic foods, antibacterial agents, along with amylase, and convert starch to maltose. Tongue that taste the food. When swallowed it makes its way down the throat “ pharynx.” From here it travels to the swallowing tube “esophagus” a muscular tube which extends from the pharynx down to stomach serious contractions called peristalsis. Esophagus delivers food we have eaten to the stomach. There is a “zone of high pressure” just before the connection to the stomach. This is a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter; meant to keep food from passing backwards in the esophagus. Stomach a J-shaped sac-like organ normally on the left side of the upper abdomen. There are several muscle layers that surround the stomach, serve to mix food. Stomach has secretes acid along with enzymes that continue breaking everything down; like a consistency of paste or liquid when leaving stomach. From there it heads down to the small intestine. The small intestine a long tube loosely coiled in the abdomen made up of three segments: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. This intestine continues the process of breaking down foods by using enzymes, released by the pancreas and bile from the liver, a compound that aids in the digestion of fat, eliminating waste products. Most responsible for continuing the process of breaking down food is the duodenum, with the ileum and jejunum being responsible for the absorption of nutrients pasted to the bloodstream.

Three organs play a role helping the stomach and small intestine...