Breast Milk

Breast Milk
Breast milk also known as human milk is produced from the breasts to be given to the offspring. Milk is the primary source of nutrition in newborns before they are able to eat and digest other foods; older toddlers and infants may continue to breastfeed.

Diabetes

In the stomach carbohydrates are broken down into glucose. That glucose then moves to the blood streams. And, the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin allows glucose to move into cells to release energy. For every glucose is insulin. When glucose and insulin levels are uneven people develop diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Insulin producing beta- cells in the pancreas are destroyed, so no insulin is produced. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and travel to cells, but can't get in without insulin. So, glucose level rises, to lower this level the kidneys remove the glucose. 

Symptoms/ Reactions:

• Thirsty
• Genital itching
• Slow healing
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue 
• Weight loss
• Urination

Treatment:

Insulin

Type 2 Diabetes

There is not enough insulin or insulin is not working properly due to over weight/ obesity. Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose and moves into blood stream. The pancreas produces insulin, but not all of the insulin can get  through cells because  they are filled with fat. Glucose and insulin begin to build up and both glucose and insulin levels rise. 

Symptom/ Reactions:

• Thirsty
• Genital itching
• Slow healing
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue 
• Weight loss
• Urination

Treatment:

Dieting, physical activity and medication. 

Diabetes Animation

Links:

Diabetes 1

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001350/

Diabetes 2

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001356/

Explore The Digestive System

Starting from the mouth to the anus, the Digestive system helps to break down the food we consume into smaller pieces so that the body can absorb the nutrients the body needs. The digestive system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

The Mouth:

Digestion first takes place in the mouth. The mouth is the first organ In the  mouth, food is broken down into smaller pieces by the teeth and saliva. Saliva is produce by the salivary glands. Saliva also breaks down starch into mono or disaccharide because saliva contains amylase enzymes that breakdown starch.

The Esophagus:

After food is is broken down into smaller pieces, the food is transported by the esophagus, which is a long tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. Food is move by the wave-like muscle movement also known as peristalsis. 

The Liver:

Bile is produce in the liver, which helps to break down fats in the small intestine and carries away waste. It also helps with the production of cholesterol and special proteins to carry fat through the body.

The Pancreas:

When food enters the stomach, enzymes such as lipase, which break down fats, help break down other macromolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins and acids. After a rise in blood sugar levels, the pancreas secretes insulin, which regulates the amount of glucose in the body.

The Gall Bladder:

Bile is stored and secretes in the Gall Bladder. It also keeps excess bile when there is pressure in the bile ducts.

The Stomach:

Hydrochloric acid produced by parietal cells  in the stomach helps to kill bacteria and denature proteins. It also helps to store food. Pepsin enzymes starts proteins. Peristalsis helps other enzymes to be release. The gastric pits release gastric acid, protective mucus, and enzymes. Muscular spinsters helps to control the entry of food and the exit of chyme. The hormone PPY, is secreted in the small intestine after meals, that acts as an appetite suppressant.

The Small Intestine:

Divided into three parts the duodenum, jejunum, and the ileum, the small intestine completes the digestion of food molecules. Chyme enters the duodenum. Bile is emptied in the duodenum, which neutralizes the acid from the stomach and emulsifies fats. Pancreas enzymes such as amylase and trypsin released in the jejunum. In the last stage of of the stage of the small intestine ( the ileum) digestion food food takes place. Villi; finger- like projections, help with absorption by increasing the surface area.

The Large Intestine:

Once absorption has taken place in the ileum, the undigested food goes to the large intestine. The large intestine reclaims as much water as possible to the blood, before allowing egestion of the solid feces. By being long and folded,  the large intestine maximizes its surface area for better water absorption. Bacteria breaks down undigested molecules. The large intestine secretes mucus to lubricate the passage of the feces and peristalsis keeps the feces moving.

The Rectum:

Feces is temporary stored in the rectum until it is eliminated through the anus.The rectum is made up of muscular walls that expand to hold feces. When expanded, nerves in the rectum send signals to the brain that lets you know to have a bowel movement.

The Anus:

The last part of the digestive track is the anus. It keeps us continent when we are asleep or unaware of the presence of feces. We rely on the external sphincter to keep feces in until we can it is released.

Videos

Links:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-system

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/digestive-system-article/

The Digestive System: How It Works!

Learning about the digestive system is a unique and exciting way to discover the things your body go through on a daily basis. Let's see how it works!

Mouth
The mouth is the beginning of the digestive tract. As a matter of fact, the first time you chew something, digestion starts here. Chewing food breaks down food molecules into smaller food molecules so that it can be digested more easily. Saliva, produced by the salivary glands, mixes with food to begin the process of digestion. The saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which digests starch molecules into smaller molecules of the disaccharide maltose.

Esophagus
The esophagus is a thick-walled muscular tube that runs from the neck and leads to the stomach. The bolus of food moves through the esophagus with the help of peristalsis, which is a series of muscle contractions and relations which occur along the course of the intestinal tract to push food and waste products through.
Stomach
The stomach is like a sac-lunch-like organ with strong muscular walls. The stomach stores food and prepares it for further digestion. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid as well as gastric juices. The hydrochloric acid in the stomach lowers the pH to around 2, killing bacteria and denaturing proteins. Gastric pits release gastric acid, protective mucus, and enzymes. The muscular spincters control entry of the food exit of chyme (partially digest mixture). The lumen is the space in which food is stored while inside the stomach.
Small Intestine
The small intestine completes the digestion of food molecules. It contains three parts which are called the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The small intestine continues the process of breaking down food by using enzymes released by the pancreas and bile from the liver. Bile is a compound that aids in digestion of fat and eliminates waste products (stool) from the blood. Peristalsis is also at work in this organ, moving food through and mixing it up with digestive secretions. The duodenum is largely responsible for continuing the process of breaking down food, with the jejunum and ileum being mainly responsible for the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. Absorption is the uptake of molecules in the blood and assimilation is how the tissues are carried.

Pancreas

The pancreas aids chemical digestion by producing an alkaline solution rich in bicarbonate as well as several enzymes. These enzymes break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates from the food we eat. Among the pancreatic enzymes are trypsin and chymotrypsin, proteases secreted into the duodenum in inactive forms. 

Liver

The liver has several functions, but its two main functions in the digestive system are to make and secrete bile. Bile contains bile salts, which act as emulsifiers that aid in digestion and absorption of lipids. Bile is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder. The liver also breaks down toxins that enter the body and helps balance nutrient utilization.

Gall Bladder

The gall bladder is a pear-shaped object that just sits under the liver and stores bile (as previously stated). During a meal, the gall bladder contracts, sending bile to the small intestine.

Large Intestine

The large intestine, or colon, is a 5- to 6- foot-long muscular tube that connects the cecum (the first part of the large intestine) to the rectum (the last part oft he large intestine). It is divided into ascending, transverse, and descending portions, each about one foot in length. The colon's chief functions are to absorb water and to store, process, and eliminate the residue following digestion and absorption. The intestinal matter remaining after water has been reclaimed is known as feces. Feces consist of nondigested food (such as cellulose), billions of harmless bacteria, bile pigments, and other materials. The feces are stored in the rectum and passes out through the anus to complete the digestion process.

Rectum

The rectum is an 8-inch chamber that connects the colon to the anus. It is the rectum's job to recieve waste from the colon, to let you kow there is waste to be evacuated, and to hold the waste until evacuation happens. When anything (gas or waste) comes to the rectum, sensors send a message to the brain. The brain the decides if the rectal contents can be released or not. 

Anus

The anus is the last part of the digestive tract. It consists of the pelvic floor muscles and the two anal sphincters. The lining of the upper anus is specialized to detect rectal contents. It lets us know whether the contents are liquid, gas, or solid, The pelvic floor muscle creates an angle betweent he rectum and the anus that stops stool form coming out when it is not supposed to. The anal sphincters provide fine control of stool. The internal sphincter keeps us from going to the bathroom when we are asleep, or otherwise unaware of the presence of stool. When we get the urge to go to the bathroom, we rely on our external sphincter to keep the stool in until we can get to the toilet.

Videos! --->

 Links : http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/yrdd/

            http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/digestive-system.page

Hunger: How it Works

Have you ever wondered what gives you that ‘hungry’ feeling? Hunger is regulated in the appetite control center. This is in the hypotalamus of the brain. This control is nervous and hormonal.  There are 4 hormones involved with appetite control; some stimulate appetite stimulants and some trigger appetite suppressants. 

When your body needs energy, your empty stomach will release the hormone gherin which triggers your appetite by acting on the neurons of the hypotalamus. As food enters the stomach, the release of gherin is stopped in order to reduce hunger as you begin to feel full. 

The 3 other hormones involved in triggering appetite inhibiting neurons in the appetite control center are insulin, leptin and PYY3-36. The release of PYY3-36 is stimulated by your small intestine as you ingest food. As your body gets the energy it needs from carbohydrates and protein, insulin is released. In other words, as your blood glucose rises, insulin is released to absorb it from the blood stream. Diabetes is when your body is insufficient at producing insulin; it either does not produce enough or does not produce any at all. Leptin, the final hormone involved in appetite control is released by the pancreas as your fat storage increases. 

It is also important to pay attention to what foods you are eating when you get the hungry feeling. Here is a link to quiz yourself on how much you know about healthy foods:

http://www.fitsugar.com/Quiz-About-Healthy-Food-Choices-2920463

For an overview of the appetite control center visit:

http://food--diet.blogspot.com/2010/07/appetite-control-center.html

Carbohydrates

     Carbohydrates are one of the most widely available types of food energy to humans. Carbohydrates as a whole can be referred to as saccharides or sugars. They consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbs are considered to be either simple or complex and are a main staple in are everyday diets.

     The three main types of carbs are monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are usually sugars and end in the suffix -ose. Monosaccharides are broken down as much as possible and are the simplest form of carbs, they are the bodies major source for metabolism and are used for short term energy throughout the body. Glucose, ribose, and fructose are all monosaccharides. Disaccharides occur when two monosaccharides are bonded together, this bond is called a glycosidic bond and occurs as a result of a dehydration synthesis reaction. Notable disaccharides include sucrose and lactose, these are used as short term energy in the body. Polysaccharides are the most complex form of saccharides and are mainly used for storage of energy, and structure in plant cell walls. A prime of example of a polysaccharide is cellulose.

     Carbs can be acquired by consuming plenty of different types of foods. These foods include grains, flour, pasta, fruits, vegetables, and potatoes. Humans eat these foods to acquire quick energy, carbs are more easily digested than other macromolecules. Carbs supply humans with dietary fibre, help us to store energy in the form of glycogen, and most importantly supplies our bodies with fuel. Carbs are also able to hurt the human body, simple carbs are broken down into sugars and can affect effect blood sugar levels. The effect on blood sugar levels could cause diabetes and carbs are often associated with weight gain and obesity.

Melinda Morrison speaks on carbs and blood sugar levels

Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzWZ1D9zvYs

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=glycosidic+bond&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&sa=N&tbo=d&rls=en&biw=1225&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=gWd6KzltPhn9OM:&imgrefurl=http://www.answers.com/topic/glycosidic-bond-1&docid=2fl6MFVaDwD4kM&imgurl=http://content.answcdn.com/main/content/img/oxford/Oxford_Chemistry/0192801015.glycosidic-bond.1.jpg&w=584&h=173&ei=BLy-UPWGAYrk0QGC0IHYAQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=358&sig=106710676664371637387&page=1&tbnh=66&tbnw=224&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:88&tx=112&ty=30

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=wheat&um=1&hl=en&safe=active&client=safari&sa=N&tbo=d&rls=en&biw=1225&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=pZe2oYhxrfM3tM:&imgrefurl=http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-wheat.htm&docid=eoBereE1SUiNUM&imgurl=http://images.wisegeek.com/bread-baked-from-wheat-flour.jpg&w=1000&h=647&ei=kru-UOveM4-t0AG37YAw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=305&sig=106710676664371637387&page=2&tbnh=131&tbnw=215&start=26&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:26,s:0,i:168&tx=44&ty=59

Vitamins: “Why do we need them?”

Vitamin C:
This water-soluble vitamin is vital to the proper functioning of all sorts of bodily processes. According to nutritionists, it's used in the repair of bone, skin and connective tissues, and it helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. It also helps the body to absorb iron. If you don't get enough vitamin C, you can feel tired and weak, and suffer from dry hair and skin. If your deficiency is really severe, you can end up with scurvy, which can cause severe anemia and cause your teeth to fall out. Vitamin C is abundantly available in fruits and vegetables, and is often featured as a supplement in processed foods, especially drinks.


Vitamin B complex:
Vitamin B is actually a complex of eight vitamins, all of which are essential for good health. A whole raft of symptoms accompanies deficiency of the B complex, but the most common ones are chronic fatigue, heart palpitations, memory impairment, rashes, insomnia and mental uneasiness. Foods high in the B complex vitamins include fortified breakfast cereals and meats such as turkey and steak. Breads made with whole grains also contain B vitamins.

Vitamin A:
According to scientific study, deficiency in vitamin A is the leading cause of blindness among children in developing nations. This vitamin is essential in preserving the health of your eyes, and even mild deficiency can produce night blindness or impair the ability of your eyes to adapt to the dark. It's also essential to the functioning of the immune system, and helps fight against infections. Vitamin A is present in highest concentrations in yellow and orange vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes, but also in leafy greens. Cod liver oil is an excellent source of vitamin A, as are dairy products.