The gastrointestinal tract is a long muscular tube that functions as the
food processor for the human body.The digestive system includes the
following organs: the mouth and salivary glands, stomach, the small and
large intestines, colon, liver, pancreas, and the gall bladder. The
gastrointestinal tract is not a passive system; rather, it has the
capability to sense and react to the materials that are passed through
it. For a healthy digestive system, every person requires different food
selections that match their gastrointestinal tract capacity. The aging
process and certain health issues cause a reduction in the body's enzyme
production. One effect of this reduction is a bloated feeling soon
after eating a large meal. Enzymes are essential to the body's
absorption and full use of food. The primary digestive enzymes are
proteases (to digest protein), amylases (to digest carbohydrate), and
lipases (to digest fat). These enzymes function as a biological catalyst
to help break down food. Raw foods also provide enzymes that naturally
break down food for proper absorption
