Names, functions, macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients, digestion, absorption, metabolism of the macro-nutrients and their body parts

We need a small amount of micro-nutrients, which are vitamins and minerals. We need a larger amount of macro-nutrients, which are water, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

The digestive tract play an important role on how our body functions. The digestive tract has one main purpose, but is made of several smaller components. Some of these components are mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, large intestine, rectum and anus.

 The function of the digestive system is digestion and absorption. Digestion is when food breaks down into small molecules, and then are absorbed into the body. The first digestive component where all foods start is the mouth. By using our teeth to chew the foods that we put into our mouth, it breaks down the food into small pieces that can be digested easier. Saliva mixes with this food and helps begin the process of breaking it down, so that our bodies can absorb and can use these foods. 

Next after the mouth, comes the esophagus. The esophagus is located in your throat, and it receives the food when it is swallowed by the mouth. After peristalsis, which is a series of muscular contractions, the esophagus then delivers the food into the stomach. The stomach is an organ that holds food while it processes. The stomach coats the food with acid and enzymes, which help break it down even more. When all of the contents of the stomach are processed, they are then released into the small intestine. 

The small intestine is made up of three parts. These three parts are the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, followed by the jejunum, and then finally the ileum. The duodenum continually breaks down the process, and the jejunum and ileum absorb the nutrients into the bloodstream. When food enters into the duodenum, the pancreas releases enzymes to help break down fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and the pancreas also creates insulin. The gallbladder releases bile, produced by the liver, to break down the fats even more which can then be absorbed by the intestines. The livers main function is to process the nutrients that are being absorbed from the small intestine.

One of the final stages of digestion is the large intestine. The large intestine has a larger diameter than the small intestine, but it is much shorter. The large intestine is a muscular tube that connects the small intestines to the rectum. The large intestine is an organ that processes waste so that bowel movements can be easier. 

Finally, the waste passes through the rectum and then through the anus. The rectum’s job is to receive waste from the large intestine, and finally the anus consists of pelvic floor muscles which allows the waste to come out of the body, being the final step of the digestive tract.

There are various types of fats, which are saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and trans-fats. Of these fats, saturated fats and trans-fats are the bad fats, and monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats are the healthier fats. 

Trans-fats are believed to be so harmful because doctors believe that trans-fats are the worst type of fats that we can consume into our bodies. Trans-fats raise bad cholesterol levels and lowers good cholesterol levels. Trans-fats can also lead to heart problems and problems in your arteries.

Too much saturated and trans-fats can lead to serious diseases, such as heart and artery disease (cardiovascular disease) and this is the number one cause of death in the United States and Canada. 

The connection between dietary fat, cholesterol, and health is so important to be aware of because it is the number one adult death, so we need to be aware of what types of fats we put into our bodies and how they can affect our bodies.

Protein is what enables us to perform so many vital functions. This is why protein is such an important part of having and maintaining a healthy diet. Protein is good for your hair, skin, nails, eyes, and just for your body over all. Amino acids build protein, which is why they are so important, as well.