Digestive System

Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down the food we eat into usable components. Our bodies use food similarly as a car engine uses gas– and this gives us the energy needed to live. When we put food into our mouths digestion has already started – because digestion means breaking food down into smaller molecules!

At some stage of our lives, most of us will experience a bout of the rather unpleasant condition - diarrhea. Most of us experience two bowel movements per day, and have firm stools. When stools are watery or liquid and very loose – and this occurs three or more times a day, it is known as diarrhea. For most, this condition lasts a day or two, but if it persists, it may be a reason for concern, or point to a more serious condition.

Even though constipation is a common problem of the digestive system, for many people it is an embarrassing subject to discuss. The term constipation often means different things to different people, ranging from less frequent bowel movements than normal to more difficult passage of stools-- or a combination of both. Being constipated can make you feel uncomfortable, bloated, heavy and sluggish. Regular elimination of waste products from the body is vital to maintaining health.