The Digestive System: The Basis for Health of the Entire Body

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal tract—also called the GI tract or digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus. The hollow organs that make up the GI tract are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. The liver, pancreas, and gallbladder are the solid organs of the digestive system.

The digestive system is often called “the second brain” because it breaks nutrients down so that your body can absorb them and use them for energy, growth, and cell repair. Each part of the digestive system helps to move food and liquid through your GI tract. Your large intestine absorbs water, and the waste products of digestion become stool. Nerves and hormones help control the digestive process.

Digestive disorders encompass a variety of diseases ranging from mild to severe. Common digestive disorders include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Chron’s, diverticulitis, cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, and hiatal hernia. The most common symptoms of digestive disorders include bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Ayurveda recognizes that a dysfunction in the digestive system involves both digestion and assimilation of nutrients and, in this way, is the root cause of ill health.

ABOUT SOMESH N. KAUSHIK, ND, BAMS, MPH, MPA, E-RYT 500

With over 35 years of experience as an Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Kaushik’s medical training is extensive. He is one of the most experienced Ayurvedic physicians in North America and is the recipient of the Dhanwantri Award, his profession’s highest honor. Dr. Kaushik recently founded the Institute for the Advancement of Ayurvedic Sciences, a research and teaching institution.

This series is sponsored by Brewster Public Library, Butterfield Library, Desmond-Fish Public Library, Field Library, Mahopac Public Library, Putnam Valley Library, and Reed Memorial Library.