Question

: Describe what is so special about the small intestine that makes it the optimal organ for digestion and absorption? How do we keep this amazing organ healthy and functioning as we need?

Answer 1

Small intestine is the part of the digestive tract where most of the digestion and absorption occurs. Small intestine has three parts viz duodenum, jejunum and ileum. It is the properties of duodenum which makes small intetsine a perfect organ for digestion. Duodenum receives gastric chyme from the stomach, digestive enzymes from the pancreas and the bile from liver. The pancreatic digestive enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin act upon proteins, pancreatic amylase digests complex carbohydrates into simple sugars whereas bile emulsifies fats into micelles. Finally the digested products are absorbed through jejunum into the blood supply. The structure of the jejunum is well suited for the absorption to take place. Jejunum contains the plicae circulares (wrinkles or folds), and finger like projections called villi and microvilli that increase its surface area available for absorption. Each villus has a network of capillaries and fine lymphatic vessels called lacteals close to its surface. The epithelial cells of the villi transport nutrients from the lumen of the intestine into these capillaries (amino acids and carbohydrates) and lacteals (lipids).

There are many ways to keep your small intestines healthy. Some of these include:

1. Eat foods which contain a lot of fibre such as vegetables and fruits. Fibre stimulates the muscle contractions which helps the small intestine to do its job.

2. Eat curd and yoghurts as they are a good source of probiotic bacteria.

3. Take good fat like omega-3-faty acids which help to alleviate the inflammation in the gut.

4. Eat nutrients containing glutamine and zinc wich help to repair the epithelial lining of gut if there is any damage.