The human body is a very efficient self-preserving machine. The body is capable of healing itself. The body is also capable of receiving and processing nourishment. Complex food molecules are broken down into simpler forms. Carbohydrates from cereals, rice or bread are broken down into simple sugar or glucose. Protein chains from
fish meat fillet and eggs are reduced to amino acids. Vitamins and minerals are extracted from fruits and vegetables to aid metabolism.
All of these processes are carried out by the digestive system. Digestion begins in the mouth. The teeth grind the food and saliva help dissolve the food. The food is then carried to the stomach by the peristaltic movement of the esophagus. In the stomach food are mixed with digestive acids and enzymes. The food with enzyme mixture is appropriately called bolus. The bolus then travel to the intestines.
Food nutrients are absorbed in the blood stream in the capillaries of the small intestine.
However, food nutrients cannot be properly utilized by the body cells without hormones. One particular hormone necessary for sugar absorption and energy conversion is insulin. This hormone is responsible for the breakdown of glucose in the glycolysis process of metabolism.
Insulin is produced by the islets of langerhans of the pancreas. If the pancreas is damage or is not producing enough insulin, the result is
diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is the state wherein there is too much sugar in the blood. The high sugar level may lead to tissue and organ damage. Some complications of diabetes are gangrene, glaucoma and kidney failure.
