MadSci Network: Anatomy
Query:

Re: How long after the digestion of food is the body able to start detoxifying?

Date: Tue May 3 16:41:39 2005
Posted By: Gil Stoewsand, Faculty, Food Science & Technology, Cornell University
Area of science: Anatomy
ID: 1114980503.An
Message:

One cannot say. Food remains in the stomach for a longer or shorter 
time, according to the nature of the substances ingested, the way 
they have been prepared and masticated, the motility of the 
stomach,etc. While the food is in the stomach, it is attacked by saliva, 
gastric enzymes and by HCl. Gastric juice and stomach movements 
convert the gastric contents into a semi liquid acidic paste called 
chyme.The chyme is passed through the pylorus into the duodenum 
at intervals and in small quantities. In the intestine it comes into 
contact with the secretions of the pancreas,the intestine, and the liver.
Metabolism and detoxication of any toxicants can occur in each 
and/or all of these processes.
Fasting, for any length of time, can be a dangerous activity. Storage 
fat is the principal source of energy in fasting. Mobilization of storage 
fat causes a rise in lipemia and liver fat. This increased fat utilization 
leads to the production of large quantities of specific acids. These 
acids are accumulated in the blood and excreted in the urine. These 
acids (ketone bodies) form a condition known as ketosis. Ketosis 
causes acidosis, ketonuria, increased urinary ammonia, diminished 
alkali reserves, hyperventilation, and a lowered alveolar CO2 
tension.After the fat stores have been depleted, large quatities of 
protein are burned. Urinary nitrogen rises, and if the subject is not fed 
he dies.

 "Human Physiology".B.A.Houssay, McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York, 
1951.


Current Queue | Current Queue for Anatomy | Anatomy archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Anatomy.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@madsci.org
© 1995-2005. All rights reserved.