HOW DIGESTIVE PHYSIOLOGY GUIDES NUTRITION IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS
Human physiology studies how cells, tissues, and organ systems work together through various
chemical and physical processes to support vital functions. The study of physiology mainly
revolves around the body's tendency to maintain homeostasis, which is the ability to keep the
state of the internal environment stable and ensure survival. In terms of structure and function,
the human body is organized into six levels: chemical (atoms and molecules), cells, tissues,
organs, organ system, and the organism as a whole. It is of great importance, therefore, to know
the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Each level builds on the previous one, from the
most basic chemical components to a fully functioning human being.
Digestion is an essential physiological process through which food is broken down into smaller
molecules that the body can absorb and use for energy, nutrients, and cellular building materials.
This process involves both chemical and mechanical mechanisms and takes place along the
digestive tract, from the mouth to the small intestine. This involves a series of coordinated steps
that begin with the ingestion of food and end with the absorption of nutrients into the
bloodstream. This process is divided into several phases that ensure nutrients are transformed into
forms the body can use.
• Ingestion: Defined as the introduction of food into the mouth.
• Mechanical Digestion: Is the physical fragmentation of food through chewing and
peristaltic movements.
• Chemical Digestion: Is the molecular breakdown of food by digestive enzymes and acids.
• Absorption: Is the transport of nutrients from the intestine into the bloodstream or
lymphatic system.
• Elimination: Expulsion of unabsorbed waste in the form of feces.
Thus, patient recovery and the prevention of nutritional complications largely depend on a deep
understanding of the digestive process, from the initial ingestion to the final absorption of
nutrients.
In the hospitalized patient, nutrition plays an important role in their recovery and clinical evolution,
according to the present pathology and the reason for hospitalization. In turn, this is an especially
vulnerable patient, due to the risk of acquiring hospital-acquired illnesses and due to the distance
from their family and social environment, which undoubtedly affects their psychological well-being
and their recovery. This patient, in turn, is more prone to developing malnutrition, which reduces
the possibilities for early and full recovery. Likewise, it has been widely shown that high rates of
inadequate nutrition in patients hospitalized for illness are associated with high rates of delayed
functional recovery and mortality. Another cause that negatively influences the hospitalized
patient's nutrition process is the inability to feed oneself, as well as the severe restriction of some
foods, which are important sources of certain nutrients, mainly inorganic ones and vitamins.
Taking as a reference what was cited by Guillermo Contreras, head of the ICU at the Clínica
Cayetano Heredia: "Hospital malnutrition is a condition characterized by nutrient deficiency that
prevents the patient from maintaining their vital functions optimally and that affects those with
chronic diseases or those who are at the extremes of life or are in Intensive Care Units to a greater
extent," greater emphasis must be placed on the supply of basic nutrients required by a
hospitalized patient, with the consumption of 1,400 to 2,100 calories per day (for an average adult
of 70kg), with a specialized and adequate nutritional support that meets quality standards.
Likewise, Guillermo Contreras, head of the ICU at Clínica Cayetano Heredia, proposes the
existence of two modalities of clinical nutrition: Enteral, which is recommended when the
Human physiology studies how cells, tissues, and organ systems work together through various
chemical and physical processes to support vital functions. The study of physiology mainly
revolves around the body's tendency to maintain homeostasis, which is the ability to keep the
state of the internal environment stable and ensure survival. In terms of structure and function,
the human body is organized into six levels: chemical (atoms and molecules), cells, tissues,
organs, organ system, and the organism as a whole. It is of great importance, therefore, to know
the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Each level builds on the previous one, from the
most basic chemical components to a fully functioning human being.
Digestion is an essential physiological process through which food is broken down into smaller
molecules that the body can absorb and use for energy, nutrients, and cellular building materials.
This process involves both chemical and mechanical mechanisms and takes place along the
digestive tract, from the mouth to the small intestine. This involves a series of coordinated steps
that begin with the ingestion of food and end with the absorption of nutrients into the
bloodstream. This process is divided into several phases that ensure nutrients are transformed into
forms the body can use.
• Ingestion: Defined as the introduction of food into the mouth.
• Mechanical Digestion: Is the physical fragmentation of food through chewing and
peristaltic movements.
• Chemical Digestion: Is the molecular breakdown of food by digestive enzymes and acids.
• Absorption: Is the transport of nutrients from the intestine into the bloodstream or
lymphatic system.
• Elimination: Expulsion of unabsorbed waste in the form of feces.
Thus, patient recovery and the prevention of nutritional complications largely depend on a deep
understanding of the digestive process, from the initial ingestion to the final absorption of
nutrients.
In the hospitalized patient, nutrition plays an important role in their recovery and clinical evolution,
according to the present pathology and the reason for hospitalization. In turn, this is an especially
vulnerable patient, due to the risk of acquiring hospital-acquired illnesses and due to the distance
from their family and social environment, which undoubtedly affects their psychological well-being
and their recovery. This patient, in turn, is more prone to developing malnutrition, which reduces
the possibilities for early and full recovery. Likewise, it has been widely shown that high rates of
inadequate nutrition in patients hospitalized for illness are associated with high rates of delayed
functional recovery and mortality. Another cause that negatively influences the hospitalized
patient's nutrition process is the inability to feed oneself, as well as the severe restriction of some
foods, which are important sources of certain nutrients, mainly inorganic ones and vitamins.
Taking as a reference what was cited by Guillermo Contreras, head of the ICU at the Clínica
Cayetano Heredia: "Hospital malnutrition is a condition characterized by nutrient deficiency that
prevents the patient from maintaining their vital functions optimally and that affects those with
chronic diseases or those who are at the extremes of life or are in Intensive Care Units to a greater
extent," greater emphasis must be placed on the supply of basic nutrients required by a
hospitalized patient, with the consumption of 1,400 to 2,100 calories per day (for an average adult
of 70kg), with a specialized and adequate nutritional support that meets quality standards.
Likewise, Guillermo Contreras, head of the ICU at Clínica Cayetano Heredia, proposes the
existence of two modalities of clinical nutrition: Enteral, which is recommended when the
