What is the pH of your small intestine and enzymes there?
The pH of the small intestine varies along its length, but it typically ranges from 5.5 to 7.5.
* The duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, has a pH of around 5.5. This is due to the presence of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, which helps to break down food and kill bacteria.
* The jejunum, which is the middle part of the small intestine, has a pH of around 6.0. This is where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place.
* The ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine, has a pH of around 7.5. This is due to the presence of bicarbonate ions from the pancreas, which help to neutralize the acidic contents of the small intestine.
The enzymes present in the small intestine include:
* Amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates into sugars
* Lipase, which breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol
* Protease, which breaks down proteins into amino acids
These enzymes are produced by the pancreas and the small intestine itself, and they help to break down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.