Gut Basics

Three crucial organs support digestion without directly contacting food:

Liver (largest internal organ):

• Produces bile (0.5-1 liter per day)
• Bile emulsifies fats for absorption
• Detoxifies substances
• Stores glycogen (energy)
• Processes nutrients from blood

Gallbladder:

• Stores and concentrates bile
• Releases bile when you eat fatty meals
• Not essential (can be removed surgically)
• Problems: gallstones, biliary dyskinesia

Pancreas (dual function):

Digestive role:

• Secretes enzymes into small intestine
• Lipase (fat digestion)
• Amylase (carb digestion)
• Proteases (protein digestion)
• Secretes bicarbonate (neutralizes stomach acid)

Hormonal role:

• Produces insulin and glucagon
• Regulates blood sugar

When these organs malfunction:

• Liver disease → poor fat digestion, nutrient deficiencies
• Gallbladder issues → pain after fatty meals, fat malabsorption
• Pancreatic insufficiency → severe malabsorption, weight loss, diarrhea