FILL IN: 8.4 Gap

Question 1

What is intrinsic factor? Where is it produced? What does it do? Where is it reabsorbed?

Answer 1

• Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein
• It is secreted from parietal cells in the oxyntic mucosa of the stomach
• Binds to Vitamin B12, allowing absorption of Vitamin B12-IF complex in the terminal ileum (i.e. just before the ileocaecal valve)

Question 2

What dietary factors increase the risk of colorectal cancer?

Answer 2

• Decreased fibre
• Increased red meat
• Increased processed meats (deli)

Question 3

What dietary factors increase the risk of gastric carcinoma?

Answer 3

• Increased alcohol
• Increased processed foods

Question 4

Why do patients with liver diseases need to eat late evening snacks?

Answer 4

• Liver disease impairs the body’s ability to produce bile and absorb nutrients
• A late evening snack reduces the time between meals, helping to prevent the liver from becoming energy deficient and entering a state of gluconeogenesis