What is it?
The intestine is a component of the gastrointestinal tract that can be divided into small and thick, the first can still be divided into duodenum, jejunum and ileum and the second into ascending colon, transverse, descending and sigmoid. Formed by endocrine cells that have chemo and mechanosensitive nerve communications, which intercommunicate from the substances present in their lumen.
What’s the gut for?
The intestine has great relevance in the gastrointestinal tract because it is the site of greater digestion and absorption of nutrients from the diet, besides acting as a reservoir of digestion products and materials that have not been digested for further excretion. It is in the intestine that carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, amino acids and vitamins are absorbed, besides being a place of fermentation and shelter from most of the human microbiota.
How does the bowel work?
The small intestine transports the chyme from the stomach to the large intestine, fragmenting the nutrients through the action of enzymes produced by the intestine itself and/or by glands close to the liver and pancreas. Intestinal cells have microvilliities that considerably increase the absorption area.
When do you need to supplement?
The fibers have positive action on intestinal motility and are found mainly in whole foods such as grains, vegetables and vegetables. In addition to dietary sources, they can also be obtained from dietary supplements and have beneficial effects on the formation of fecal cake as well as important changes in the microbiota. Thus, patients with constipation or disorders affecting the intestinal microbiota benefit from adequate fiber consumption in the proportion of 30 to 38 g/day for men and 21 to 26 g/day for women.
Reference
Book Ovalle, William. Netter Bases of Histology. Available in: My Library, (2nd edition). GEN Group, 2014.
Article: Suzuki T. (2020). Regulation of the intestinal barrier by nutrients: The role of tight junctions. Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho
, 91
(1), e13357. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13357
Reading suggestion:Role of dietary fiber in intestinal microbiota
