Large Intestine Function in Digestion

Digestion is the process by which nutrients are obtained from the food that we eat. The various nutrients like proteins, fats and carbohydrates cannot be assimilated into the blood stream in their complex molecular forms. They need to be broken down into simpler forms so that they can be absorbed by blood and then transported to different parts of the body. For example, proteins need to be broken into amino acids, carbohydrates into polysaccharides and monosaccharides, fats into fatty acids and glycerol. This is done by the various digestive enzymes. The nutrients that are thus obtained are then absorbed into the blood stream and reached to cells all throughout the body. There are various organs of the digestive system that have specific functions to perform. In this article we concentrate on the large intestine functions.

Structure

The large intestine starts where the small intestine ends and this happens in the region just below the waist in the right side of the human body. Structurally, the large intestine consists of two parts - the cecum and the colon. Cecum joins the colon to the ileum, the last section of the small intestine. The cecum then continues to the ascending colon that rises up through the right side of the abdomen. The ascending colon runs horizontally through the abdominal cavity. Here it is known as the transverse colon. The transverse colon finally descends down the left side of the abdomen as the descending colon. The descending colon ends in the rectum and the anus which are the last sections of the digestive tract.

Function in Digestion

Although named small and large intestine, function of these two organs are different. As far as digestion is concerned, no further breaking down of food (in its simpler forms) takes place in the large intestine. This step is completed in the stomach and small intestine. The main function of the large intestine in digestion is to absorb salts and water from the food that is passed on to the colon from the small intestine. This helps in maintaining the fluid balance of blood. The material that reaches the large intestine is fecal matter as majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients obtained by the action of various digestive enzymes has already been completed in the small intestine. Hence absorption of water and salts from the fecal matter in the large intestine makes it more compact.

The second function of the large intestine is absorption of certain vitamins. The colon is home to certain friendly bacteria. These bacteria manufacture Vitamin K that is important for the blood clotting process. Besides this the flora in the intestine creates gases that facilitates peristalsis or a series of organized contraction of the muscle of the digestive tract. The amount of this 'friendly' bacteria depends upon the foods consumed and also antibiotics if taken any. Infection due to lack of this bacteria or due to presence of 'bad' bacteria in the colon hinders absorption of water from the stool and results in diarrhea.

The third function of large intestine in digestion is to simply store the fecal matter till the time it has to be excreted from the body through the anus.

Colon Cleanse

As the fecal matter is stored in this organ, some of it may stick to its walls. This may lead to problems of the colon and other complications. Colon cleanse is a treatment by which the large intestine can be cleaned of all the toxic materials that may build up in it. This treatment is becoming quite popular nowadays as its detoxifying effects benefit the whole body.

The functioning of the digestive system is the result of the coordinated working of the various organs of the digestive system. Large intestine functions completes the aim of the digestive system which is to break complex nutrients into the simpler forms, absorb the nutrients and get rid of the waste material from the body.