Our digestive system is the “Fuel station” that converts food into energy. The digestive system includes the mouth, oesophagus, stomach and intestine. They work together to breakdown food into smaller molecules, which are then absorbed by the body. While food provides energy to the human body, it also brings certain risk to the digestive system. One of the biggest threat is when food contains harmful microorganisms. Our immune system will work together with the digestive tract to protect us from harmful microorganisms. For example, immune cells in the digestive tract, mucous membranes, and gastric acid secreted from the stomach are the killer for the harmful microorganisms.

Not all microorganisms are harmful. The good microorganisms in our gut perform useful functions. The primary benefit is protection against potentially harmful bacteria. However, if the immune system is weak, it will still cause an infection regardless of how good the microorganisms are.

Digestive system diseases include vomiting, gastric ulcers, gallstones, constipation, diarrhoea, and hemorrhoids. More severe can lead to Crohn’s disease, liver disease, (intestinal) diverticular diseases.