There are many disorders that can interfere with vitamin and mineral absorption and metabolism. Malabsorption syndromes encompass a broad range of diseases that generally involve damage to the intestines and subsequently, difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals. Other diseases may affect enzymes or proteins in the body that are responsible for taking up or processing vitamins or minerals.
Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disorder; in other words, the immune system attacks part of the body. In pernicious anemia, the immune system attacks specialized cells in the stomach called chief cells. Chief cells help make stomach acid and synthesize a protein called intrinsic factor that binds to vitamin B-12. In the intestine, the intrinsic factor bound to B-12 is absorbed into the bloodstream. Since B-12 aids in the synthesis of cells and blood cells are constantly made, a prominent symptom of B-12 deficiency is anemia, or low red blood cell counts.
Celiac Disease
Gluten sensitive enteropathy, also known as celiac disease, is basically an allergy to gluten, a protein found in such foods as wheat, barley and rye. If exposed to gluten, immune cells infiltrate the wall of the intestine, cause inflammation and prevent the absorption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The main types of inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine" by Anthony S Fauci. The causes are unknown. Crohn's disease causes inflammation anywhere along the digestive tract and ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon. In addition to problems absorbing nutrients and vitamins, people with these disorders may experience skin problems, diarrhea, constipation and weight loss.
Metabolic Disturbances
There are many reasons for disturbances of vitamin metabolism; some are acquired or environmental, and others are genetic. An example of an acquired problem is when, certain drugs, such as methotrexate, are used to treat severe inflammatory conditions or cancer, and they interfere with the use of folate. Inherited disorders can also interfere with metabolism of vitamins and minerals. X-linked hypophosphatemia is inherited on the X chromosome and causes low levels of the mineral phosphate. This leads to abnormal skeletal development.
References
- "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease"; Vinay Kumar; 8th Ed 2009
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony S Fauci et al; 17th Ed 2008
Member Comments