Digestion

and
Nutrient
Absorption

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

2
OVERVIEW

Vitamins and minerals are released from

food during digestionthough this is not
completeand the availability of vitamins
and minerals depends on the type of food
and, especially for minerals, the presence
of chelating compounds.
 OVERVIEW
To function properly, the body requires small amounts of vitamins and
minerals in addition to major nutrients

vitamin

Organic substance required in small amounts for normal metabolism

mineral

Inorganic substance that is required in small amounts for normal

metabolism
Major Vitamins
Major Vitamins
Major Minerals
Major Minerals
Major Minerals
 Vitamin Absorption

Vitamins are absorbed mainly in the jejunum and

ileum sections of the small intestine. A, D, E, and K
are the fat soluble vitamins and they must be
absorbed in combination with fat in the lipid
micelles.

Fat is the transport for which the vitamins are

delivered to the liver.
(Vitamin Absorption Continued)
The Bs and C vitamins are water soluble vitamins.

absorbed from the small intestine either by active transport or by carrier-

mediated diffusion followed by binding to intracellular binding proteins to
achieve concentration upon uptake.

They start breaking down in the stomach and then throughout the small
intestine.

They do not remain in the bodys tissues very long and the excess is passes
on into the urine.

Vitamin B12 absorption requires a specific transport protein, intrinsic factor

 Mineral Absorption
Intestinal absorption of Intestinal absorption of
minerals increases when the minerals decreases when the
body is lacking the particular body is not lacking the
nutrient. particular nutrient.
calcium absorption is
dependent on vitamin D; zinc
absorption probably requires a
zinc-binding ligand secreted by
the exocrine pancreas; and the
absorption of iron is limited.
 Mineral Absorption

Calcium Synthesis of the intracellular

Absorption Is In addition to its role in regulating
calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is
required for the intestinal
Dependent on absorption of calcium.
Vitamin D
calcium binding protein, calbindin,
required for calcium absorption, is
induced by vitamin D, which also
Phytic acid (inositol
hexaphosphate) in cereals binds
affects the permeability of the calcium in the intestinal lumen,
mucosal cells to calcium, an effect preventing its absorption.
that is rapid and independent of
protein synthesis.
 Mineral Absorption

High concentrations of fatty acids a high intake of oxalate can

in the intestinal lumenas a result sometimes cause deficiency,
of impaired fat absorptioncan
also reduce calcium absorption by since calcium oxalate is
forming insoluble calcium salts; insoluble.
 Mineral Absorption

Other minerals, This is mainly a problem yeast contains an

including zinc, are among people who enzyme, phytase, which
consume large amounts dephosphorylates
also chelated by of unleavened whole phytate, so rendering it
phytate. wheat products; inactive.
 Mineral Absorption

Although iron deficiency is a common

problem, about 10% of the population are
genetically at risk of iron overload
(hemochromatosis), and elemental iron
can lead to nonenzymic generation of free
radicals.
Absorption of iron is strictly regulated.
Inorganic iron is accumulated in
intestinal mucosal cells bound to an
intracellular protein, ferritin.
 Mineral Absorption

Once the ferritin in the cell is saturated Inorganic iron is absorbed only in the
with iron, no more can enter. Iron can Fe2+ (reduced) state, and for that
only leave the mucosal cell if there is reason the presence of reducing
transferrin in plasma to bind to. agents will enhance absorption.
 Mineral Absorption

The most effective compound is vitamin C, and while

intakes of 4060 mg of vitamin C per day are more than
adequate to meet requirements, an intake of 2550 mg
per meal will enhance iron absorption, especially when
iron salts are used to treat iron deficiency anemia.
 Mineral Absorption

Ethanol and fructose also enhance However, the absorption of both

iron absorption. Heme iron from inorganic and heme iron is
meat is absorbed separately and is impaired by calciuma glass of
considerably more available than milk with a meal significantly
inorganic iron. reduces availability.
 Water Absorption

Saliva, gastric secretions,

bile, pancreatic acids and
72% is absorbed in the
intestinal secretions take
first half of the small
up approximately 7 liters
intestine, 20% is
of water, when
absorbed in the lower
combined with an intake
half of the small
of an average of 2 liters
intestine, and 6% is
of water ingested, the
absorbed in the large
body is processing
intestine.
approximately 9 liters of
water daily.
Digestion & Absorption - Dion, Ward & Baker 22
Digestion & Absorption - Dion, Ward & Baker 23