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What is absorbed where?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/21/2013 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I commonly hear that vitamins and minerals are primarily absorbed in the small intestine. My question is...are there some vitamins absorbed in the first part, others in the second part, and yet others in the final part? I've been having trouble finding the information with the all knowing google. I know many on here do lots of research so I was hoping someone would know.

Thanks!
Posted 11/21/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
A very basic outline of absorption along the intestines...

Stomach, and duodenum: Alcohol.
Duodenum: Calcium, magnesium, iron, fat-soluble vitamins A and D, glucose.
Jejunum: Fat, sucrose, lactose, fat-soluble vitamins A and D, water-soluble vitamins like folic acid, proteins and amino acids, glucose.
Ileum: Proteins and amino acids, water-soluble vitamins like folic acid, vitamin B12.
Colon: Water, potassium, sodium chloride, fatty acids from fiber digestion.

Each receptor site along the digestive tract is dedicated to various tasks of absorption - described as active and passive.
Posted 11/21/2013 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ambling! That was exactly what I was looking for.

I currently have a jejunostomy and everything from my mid small intestines "downward" is cut off. I'm on TPN (supplemental IV nutrition) to make up the nutrition differences. I was just curious what absorption capabilities were cut off.
Posted 11/21/2013 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
activeucer, how much of your small intestines do you have left now? is there a point where they really can't remove any more?

i am so sorry you have had to go through all those added surgeries after your ileostomy. you are so strong and definitely a fighter!!
Posted 11/21/2013 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
If vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum and iron in the jujudenum, then why is it that since getting ulcerative colitis, I have been deficient in iron (ferriten), vitamin b, vitamin d and they also have me taking vitamin c?  I find this disease very confusing. 
Posted 11/21/2013 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Oh wow, ActiveUCer, you have a big challenge there. You do need that TPN for now! Good luck.


Happyday, even if you absorbed everything well, inflammatory disease in the colon causes the body to slow iron production. You may also have some bleeding? Various b-group vitamins will be in demand for repair, so may be used up more quickly, and vitamin d is commonly low in IBD.
It is really confusing...
Posted 11/21/2013 12:19 PM (GMT 0)

happyday said...
If vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum and iron in the jujudenum, then why is it that since getting ulcerative colitis, I have been deficient in iron (ferriten), vitamin b, vitamin d and they also have me taking vitamin c? I find this disease very confusing.

when the colon isn't functioning correctly because of UC your body sends a message to get everything through your digestive system as quickly as possible. So it speeds transit time up even in your small intestines. That's why UC'ers usually are deficient in vitamins, iron and minerals. (And weight loss because you are not absorbing calories) Also your iron is low because even if you do not see visible traces of blood, it's likely that you have some internal bleeding going on.
Posted 11/21/2013 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the explanations.  Makes a little more sense - particularly the fast transit.  Sometimes I can feel (hear) something I ate go right through to the end starting within 5 minutes. 
Posted 11/21/2013 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all!

I've had approximately 1.5 feet of my small intestines removed (four inches for a stoma redo, 11 inches for the random intestine death which led to a resection). We have about 20/23 feet of small intestine. Right now, things are only temporarily diverted into the loop ostomy while the intestines heal from the resection. I go in early December to see if the resection is healed an hopefully to schedule a surgery date! The surgery will put the loop ostomy back inside. Hopefully I'll get off the TPN soon after that.
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