Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism of your Macros

            The human body’s Digestive system is known by a few other names, being the G.I. tract or Gastrointestinal, and the gut and the intestinal tube. Whichever name you choose to call it by, the purpose of this system is clear: to process and dispose of the nutrients and fluids your body consumes. The Gastrointestinal System is essentially a 30-foot tubing system comprised of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and both the large and small intestines. The processes that occur in this system are “ingestion (eating/drinking), mastication (chewing), digestion, secretion (sweat), absorption, and excretion (elimination from the body)” (Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. 2013). Found in section 15.1 of my previous course text book.

            There are four stages of food processing in the Human body where digestion happens to be one of the four stages.

1. Ingestion- the act of taking in foods/fluids through the mouth, tongue, and teeth.

2. Digestion- physical and biochemical breakdown of food by the body

3. Absorption- taking the end-products of digestion and carries it to the intestines and pancreas

4. Elimination- urination or feces are the end-product of the total of food/fluids leaving the body.

            A more scientific answer/description can be found in the following quote: “The salivary glands as well as the stomach and intestines secrete biochemicals that act like little scissors that break down the food at a molecular level into even smaller pieces of nutrients. This biochemical digestion allows for large particles like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to be broken down into smaller constituents, small enough to be absorbed by the body” (Cheprasov, A. 2018).

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s06XzaKqELk

            How many times have you been talking to someone about their weight and the say either one of two responses:

1.    I have a slow metabolism, so I can’t lose weight easily

2.    My metabolism is so fast that it is almost impossible to gain weight

“Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy” (Mayo Clinic 2017). The fascinating thing about your metabolism is that your body burns calories even when you do nothing. NOTHING! For example, I burn 1600 calories while I am asleep. Because of this, I wake up and feel starved. A person’s metabolic rate speaks volumes about what they need to do in their diet to see the desired results. Someone like myself with a high metabolism needs to excessively increase their daily calories to gain weight. While a person with a slow metabolic rate must be even extra watchful on the number of calories they are ingesting.

“Several factors determine your individual basal metabolism, including:

·         Your body size and composition. People who are larger or have more muscle burn more calories, even at rest.

·         Your sex. Men usually have less body fat and more muscle than do women of the same age and weight, which means men burn more calories.

·         Your age. As you get older, the amount of muscle tends to decrease and fat accounts for more of your weight, slowing down calorie burning” (Mayo Clinic 2017).

The amount of energy that your body's basic functions need stay consistent and aren't easily changed according to the Mayo Clinic article mentioned above. The last aspect of metabolism we will touch on is called thermogenesis and the level of physical activity your body is used to. Around 10-15% of the calories from the carbohydrates and protein you eat in a day are used to fuel the process of digestion. Physical activity and exercise such as running around the block or getting a session in a t your local gym make up for the rest of the calories your body burns up each day.

           

           

Works Cited:

1.    Cheprasov, A. 2018. The Four Stages of Digestion. Retrieved from: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-four-stages-of-food-processing.html

2.    Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology, & disease: An interactive journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: MA. Pearson Education.

3.    Mayo Clinic. (2017). Metabolism and Weight Loss: How you Burn Calories. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508

4.    Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2017). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies (14th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
ISBN-13: 978-1-30563937-9, ISBN-10: 1-305-63937-5

YouTube. (2012). Digestion: A Crash Course in Biology #28. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s06XzaKqELk