Introduction
One of the most important subjects to master in your life is nutrition. Once you understand how your body takes in food, breaks it down, and distributes it throughout your body, you will be able to make healthier food choices throughout your life. You will also be better able to explain to your doctor any problems you may encounter and what to do to remedy them.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify the types of digestion and describe the pathway of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
- Describe the function of the organs of digestion.
- Compare the digestion and absorption of vitamins and minerals to that of carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
- Explain the relationship between common gastrointestinal illnesses, nutrition, and lifestyle.
- Define metabolism and describe chemical changes that determine the final use of nutrients in the body.