The Effect Of Hormones On The Absorption Of Vitamins & Minerals

Absorption of the vitamins and minerals you consume occurs primarily in the small intestine and to some degree, in the stomach. Hormones regulate this activity to maintain homeostasis, or balance, in your body. The human body uses a significant portion of its energy intake to regulate homeostasis. For example, your body uses 20 to 40 percent of your resting energy to maintain the balance of sodium and potassium. With hormones, many mechanisms for control exist in pairs, one when the balance tips toward excess and another when resources are depleted.

Appetite Stimulation

The process of nutrient absorption begins with stimulation of the appetite. The hunger pangs you feel when you're hungry are the result of hormonal activity. A hormone called ghrelin controls appetite. It is produced in several areas of the body, including the stomach, small intestine and a gland in the brain called the hypothalamus. A need for energy is the driving force for hormone release. Your body uses carbohydrates and fats primarily for energy. When circulating levels are low, this initiates a series of reactions that makes you feel hungry.

Digestion Control

Three hormones control digestion and hence, absorption of vitamins and minerals. Gastrin initiates the process of absorption by stimulating the stomach to produce acid. Secretin stimulates both the stomach and the liver. It triggers the release of enzymes for protein digestion and bile for fat metabolism. Another hormone called cholecystokinin stimulates the pancreas and liver. All three of these hormones make it possible for your body to uptake and use the nutrients in the foods you eat.

Electrolyte Management

Electrolytes are chemicals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in solution. Sodium and potassium are among the primary electrolytes. The kidneys control the concentration of these minerals in your body. Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys, causes an increase in absorption of sodium by the kidneys, as well as the release of potassium. This action occurs because the body has detected a change in blood pressure. By reabsorbing sodium, your body also absorbs water to increase blood volume and thus, blood pressure.

Medical Applications

Hormones can also be used in medical applications to aid in the absorption of vitamins and minerals. A study by Harvard Medical School, published in the July-August issue of the "Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition," found that administration of growth hormone improved nutrient absorption in patients who had undergone massive intestinal resection surgery. The enhanced absorption could improve the quality of life for these people and help them avoid the need for being fed intravenously. Using the body's own physiology has useful medical applications.