UNIT 3 – YOGA FOR HEALTH PROMOTION-II

3.1 Brief Introduction to Human Body

3.2 Role of Yoga for Health promotion
3.3 Yogic Attitudes and Practices
3.4 Holistic Approach of Yoga Towards the Health and Diseases
3.5 Introduction to Yoga Diet and Its Relevance and Importance in Yoga
Sadhana
3.6 Dincharya and Ritucharya with Respect of Yogic Lifestyle.
 Brief Introduction to Human Body

Digestive system
What is the digestive system?
The digestive system is a system of the body that breaks down food into forms that can be absorbed and
used by body cells.
It also absorbs water, vitamins, and minerals, and eliminates waste from the body.
The breaking down of larger food molecules into smaller molecules is called digestion.
The organs that are involved in the breakdown of food are collectively called the digestive system.
The digestive system is a tubular system that extends from the mouth to the anus.

Study of digestive: GASTROENTEROLOGY

Functions of digestive system
1.Ingestion: Taking food into the mouth.
2.Secretion: Release of water, acid, buffers, and enzymes into the lumen of the GI tract.
3.Mixing and Propulsion (Motility): Churning and movement of food through the GI tract.
4.Digestion: Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food.
Mechanical Digestion:
In mechanical digestion, the teeth cut and grind food into smaller pieces. Then, the smooth muscles of the
stomach and small intestine break it into even smaller pieces and mix it thoroughly with digestive enzymes.
Chemical Digestion:
In chemical digestion, large carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid molecules in food are split into
smaller molecules by hydrolysis and digestive enzymes.
Vitamins, ions, cholesterol, and water can be absorbed without chemical digestion.
5.Absorption: Passage of digested products from the GI tract into the blood and lymph.
6.Defecation: Elimination of feces from the GI tract.

Digestive system Divided into Two Types

1. Alimentary Canal / Gastrointestinal Tract / Primary Digestive Organs:
•Mouth
•Pharynx
•Esophagus
•Stomach
•Small Intestine
•Large Intestine
•Anus
•The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, or alimentary canal, is a continuous tube that extends from the mouth to the
anus through the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
•Organs of the gastrointestinal tract include the mouth, most of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, and large intestine.
•The length of the GI tract is about 9 meters in a living person.
2. Digestive Glands / Accessory Digestive Organs:
•Tongue
•Teeth
•Salivary Glands
•Gallbladder
•Liver
•Pancreas

• Organs That Assist in Digestion of Food

• The accessory digestive organs include the teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and
pancreas.

Mouth / Oral Cavity / Buccal Cavity

1.Tongue 2.Teeth 3.Salivary Glands
Teeth
Our teeth have an outer covering layer called enamel, which is the hardest part of the human body. About
96% of it is made up of minerals. In humans, teeth are in two different stages according to age and size.
There are four types of teeth, each with a main function to break food into smaller parts.
Types of Teeth
Type of Tooth Number of Teeth Functions
Incisors 8 Cutting and biting
Canines 4 Tearing and piercing
Premolars 8 Crushing
Molars 12 Crushing, grinding, and mastication

Features of Teeth
•Total Number of Teeth:
•Permanent Teeth: 32 (usually completed by age 21)
•Temporary (Deciduous) Teeth: 20 (6 months - 24 months)
Summary of Total Teeth
•Permanent Teeth: 8 (incisors) + 4 (canines) + 8 (premolars) + 12 (molars) = 32
•Temporary Teeth: 8 (incisors) + 4 (canines) + 8 (premolars) = 20
Tongue
The tongue is made up of voluntary muscles and is located
on the floor of the mouth, attached to the hyoid bone.
The superior surface consists of numerous papillae, many
of which contain sensory receptors for the sense of taste
in the taste buds. The tongue works to mix food with saliva and
is approximately 8-10 cm long.
Exterior
Posterior
Middle
Side part

Salivary Glands
1.Parotid Gland
2.Sublingual Gland
3.Submandibular Gland
Enzyme in Saliva
•Amylase (Ptyalin): This enzyme begins the digestion
of carbohydrates, converting cooked starches into dextrin and maltose.
Volume of Saliva: 1000-1500 ml/day
pH Value: 6.35-6.85: Slightly acidic

Stomach
1. Anatomy of the Stomach:
•Location: The stomach is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity, between the
esophagus and the small intestine.
•Structure: It is a J-shaped, muscular organ divided into four main regions:
Cardia: The area where the esophagus connects to the stomach.
Fundus: The upper, rounded part of the stomach.
Body (Corpus): The central region where most digestion occurs.
Pylorus: The lower part that connects to the small intestine (duodenum) through the pyloric sphincter.
2. Functions of the Stomach:
•Storage: The stomach temporarily holds food after ingestion, allowing for gradual release into the small
intestine.
•Mechanical Digestion: The stomach muscles churn and mix food with gastric juices, breaking it down into
a semi-liquid form called chyme.
•Chemical Digestion: Gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes (like pepsin)
that help break down proteins.
•HCl also creates an acidic environment that activates digestive enzymes and kills bacteria.
•Absorption: Although the stomach primarily functions in digestion, it can absorb certain substances, such
as alcohol and some medications.
3. Gastric Juices:
Components:
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl): Lowers the pH, aiding in digestion and protecting against pathogens.
Pepsinogen: An inactive enzyme that is converted to pepsin in the presence of HCl; it begins protein
digestion.
Renin: Help in digestion of milk
Mucus: Protects the stomach lining from acidic damage and provides lubrication.
Intrinsic Factor: A glycoprotein essential for the absorption of vitamin B12.

Pancreas
The pancreas is a vital glandular organ in the human body that plays a key role in both the digestive system
and the endocrine system. It is located behind the stomach and has both exocrine and endocrine functions.
Functions of the Pancreas
1. Exocrine Function:
The pancreas is primarily an exocrine gland, producing digestive
enzymes that are released into the small intestine to aid in digestion.
•Digestive Enzymes:
Amylase: Breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.
Lipase: Breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
Proteases (e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin): Break down proteins into smaller peptides.
•Bicarbonate Secretion:
The pancreas also secretes bicarbonate ions to neutralize the acidic chyme from the stomach, creating an
optimal pH for enzyme activity in the small intestine.
2. Endocrine Function:
The pancreas contains clusters of cells called islets of Langerhans, which are responsible for producing
hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.
Hormones:
Glucagon (alpha): Raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver to release glucose.
Insulin(beta): Lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells.
Somatostatin(delta): Regulates the secretion of both insulin and glucagon, helping main90tain blood sugar
balance.
PP cells: These cells secrete pancreatic polypeptide (control Somatostatin secretion)

Liver
The liver is the largest internal organ and plays a critical role in various metabolic processes, detoxification,
and the production of essential biochemicals necessary for digestion. It is in the upper right quadrant of the
abdomen, beneath the diaphragm.
Functions of the Liver
1. Metabolism:
•Carbohydrate Metabolism:
Converts excess glucose into glycogen for storage (glycogenesis).
Converts glycogen back into glucose when needed (glycogenolysis).
•Lipid Metabolism:
Synthesizes cholesterol and phospholipids.
Converts excess carbohydrates and proteins into fatty acids for storage.
•Protein Metabolism:
Synthesizes plasma proteins, including albumin and clotting factors.
Converts ammonia (a byproduct of protein metabolism) into urea for excretion.
2. Detoxification:
•The liver detoxifies various metabolites, drugs, and toxins from the bloodstream, converting them into less
harmful substances that can be excreted by the kidneys or intestines.
3. Bile Production:
The liver produces bile, a substance essential for the emulsification and digestion of fats. Bile is stored in the
gallbladder and released into the small intestine as needed.
4. Storage:
•The liver stores several essential nutrients, including:
Vitamins: A, D, E, K, and B12.
Minerals: Iron and copper.
Glycogen: As a source of energy.

Functions of the gall bladder

1.Fat Digestion: Bile helps break down fats into smaller droplets, making it easier for enzymes to digest
them.
2.Nutrient Absorption: It aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and essential fatty
acids in the small intestine.
3.Waste Elimination: Bile helps eliminate waste products, including bilirubin (a breakdown product of red
blood cells) and cholesterol, from the body.
4.pH Regulation: Bile neutralizes stomach acid in the small intestine, creating an optimal environment for
digestive enzymes to work.
5.Micelle Formation: It helps form micelles, which are small clusters of fat and bile salts that facilitate the
absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in the intestinal lining.
Small Intestine
The small intestine is a long, coiled tube in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the digestion and
absorption of nutrients occurs. It connects the stomach to the large intestine and is divided into three main
sections.
The small intestine is about 6 to 7 meters (20 to 23 feet) long in adults and is divided into three main
sections:
Duodenum: The first part, about 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) long, where most chemical digestion occurs.
Jejunum: The middle section, approximately 2.5 meters (8 feet) long, primarily responsible for nutrient
absorption.
Ileum: The final part, about 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) long, which absorbs remaining nutrients and bile
salts before passing waste to the large intestine.
Lining: The inner lining of the small intestine is highly folded and covered with villi and microvilli, which
increase the surface area for absorption.
Functions of the Small Intestine
Digestion: The small intestine is where most of
the digestion takes place. It receives digestive enzymes
and bile from the pancreas and liver, which help break down
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
2. Absorption: The primary function of the small intestine is to
absorb nutrients from digested food. Key nutrients absorbed include:
Carbohydrates: Broken down into simple sugars (glucose).
Proteins: Broken down into amino acids.
Fats: Broken down into fatty acids and glycerol.
Vitamins and Minerals: Essential for various bodily functions.

Large Intestine
The large intestine, also known as the colon, is the final part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its primary
functions include absorbing water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter and eliminating waste
products from the body.
Structure:
The large intestine is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) long and is divided into several parts:
Cecum: The initial pouch-like section that receives undigested food from the small intestine.
Colon: The longest part, divided into four sections:
Ascending Colon: Moves upward on the right side of the abdomen.
Transverse Colon: Runs across the upper abdomen.
Descending Colon: Moves downward on the left side.
Sigmoid Colon: The S-shaped final section leading to the rectum.
Rectum: The last section, storing waste before elimination.
Anus: The opening through which waste is expelled from the body.

1. Bolus: A small ball of chewed food that you swallow.

2. Chyme: A thick mixture of food and stomach juices after digestion in the stomach.

3.Chyle: A milky fluid made from digested fats that is formed in the small intestine.

Digestion process

1. Ingestion: Taking food into the mouth.

2. Digestion: Breaking down food into smaller pieces and liquids, both mechanically (chewing) and
chemically (using enzymes).
3. Absorption: Nutrients from digested food pass through the walls of the small intestine into the
bloodstream.
4. Assimilation: The body uses the absorbed nutrients for energy, growth, and repair.
5. Defecation: The elimination of indigestible waste from the body as feces.