The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) is a crucial part of our digestive system. It is a long, tube-like structure that extends from the mouth to the anus.
In the human body, the main components of the GI tract include the small intestine and the large intestine, located in the lower abdomen.
Operating based on muscular movements, our small and large intestines complete the digestive process, absorb essential nutrients from food and beverages, and aid in waste elimination. They significantly impact human health.
Food and beverages, after passing through the stomach, move into the small intestine and then into the large intestine.
✅ The small intestine is a tube-like organ, averaging about 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) in length. It is the longest section of our digestive tract. The small intestine's absorptive area is about 250 square meters - around the size of a tennis court! Most of the digestive process occurs in the small intestine.
The small intestine, connected to the stomach through the pyloric sphincter, is divided into three sections, with varying lengths depending on each individual:
- - Duodenum is the first part and shortest segment of the small intestine, measured approximately 25-30 cm (10-12 inches).
- The duodenum receives food and beverages from the stomach, utilizing bile (produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder) and digestive juices from the pancreas to process food.
- - Jejunum is the middle part of the small intestine and measured about 2.5 meters (8 feet).
- - Ileum is the last part of the small intestine and approximately 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) in length.
The jejunum and ileum absorb the majority of nutrients directly into the bloodstream to supply the entire body.
✅ The large intestine, also tube-shaped but larger than the small intestine, averages about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length. Composed of muscles and tissues, the large intestine provides favorable conditions for digestion.
The large intestine completes the digestion process by absorbing water and remaining nutrients, transforming waste into feces for excretion.
The large intestine includes the cecum (where the appendix is attached), ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, & sigmoid colon, rectum, and anal canal.
Solid waste (called stool) is stored in the rectum until its elimination from the body through the anus.
✅ According to my understanding of traditional Eastern medicine as taught by my grandfathers, there are three key aspects concerning the intestine.
1. First, longevity resides in the abdomen. In the abdominal region, if the process of digesting food and drinks is good, the absorption of essential nutrients is efficient, and the elimination of waste is effective, then good health contributes to a long life (longevity).
2. Second, the intestines are our second brain.
Any emotion of joy, anger, love, or hatred that causes us to be excessively stressed often leads to abdominal pain.
When we are stressed, the heart and lungs do not function normally, and the chi (vital energy) and blood circulation as well become disrupted.
According to the Yin-Yang theory in traditional Eastern medicine, yin and yang affect and support each other:
- Heart (yang) - Small intestine (yin)
- Lungs (yang) - Large intestine (yin)
When the heart and lungs (chi and blood circulation) are disrupted, that also causes disturbance and instability in the small and large intestines, resulting in abdominal pain.
3. Third, Parkinson's disease primarily originates from the intestines.
If our dietary habits are unhygienic and inadequate (for example, not eating enough vegetables, fruits, and fiber)... toxins and wastes in the intestinal walls will not be properly eliminated, leading to their re-absorption into the blood. These, in turn, travel to the brain, eventually damaging vital parts of the brain and resulting in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
✅ When abnormal digestion occurs, it usually means that there's some intestinal dysfunction, and symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and increased flatulence are often manifested.
We need to pay attention, find out the causes of these symptoms, and figure out ways to address the root causes to stop the symptoms.
Common causes include:
- -Food or drink poisoning
- -Not eating enough vegetables, fruits, fiber
- -Lack of good bacteria to balance gut microbiome
- -Taking certain drugs that disrupt intestinal functions
- -Excessive stress
- -Intestinal infections
- -Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- -Ulcerative colitis
- -Colorectal cancer
Before the condition gets worse, consult a doctor or healthcare professionals.
✅ There are preventive measures to help support proper digestion, absorption, and elimination in the intestinal tract.
Depending on your own health conditions, try to:
- - Consume easily digestible and clean food & drinks.
- - Eat slowly.
- - Have regular meals with a sufficient amount of suitable vegetables and fruits.
- - Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day, about 2 liters on average (depending on body weight and weather). The small intestine receives an average of 9 liters of liquid every day (food broken down in the stomach turns into a liquid and moves down to the small intestine).
- - Regularly get enough sleep and rest.
- - Live joyfully, think positively, let go of unnecessary worries, avoid excessive stress.
- - Exercise properly, regularly, and sufficiently.
- - Pay attention to stretching the lower back (lumbar region) from L3 to S1.
- - Use the palm to massage the abdomen clockwise in circular motion, starting from the belly button as the center, going from smaller to larger circles. Depending on your health condition, each time you can massage 9, 18, or 27 circles, and do it multiple times during the day.
The above information is what I know and practice to maintain my own health. I wish you abundant health, which in turn brings more joy and happiness to your life.
- Ly Binh Son, USA
