Digestion and absorption at infant age
The complex process of digestion/absorption can be optimally effective only when the GI tract and accessory organs are totally develop and fully functioning.
Not only must the muscular tube (alimentary canal) with it a mucosal lining and endocrine cells be operating efficiently in conjunction with the nervous system, but the accessory organs (pancreas, liver, and gallbladder) with their important digestive secretions also must be physiologically mature.
The feeding of infants is based on primarily in degree of maturation of the GI tract and accessory organs.
Good examples of the emphasis on GI tract maturity are the care given to the fat in infant formula and the time and sequence of the introduction of various foods into the infant’s diet.
Only those fats possessing an ease used in commercial formulas and the introduction of solid food, beginning with baby cereal usually occurs no earlier than 4 months of age.
The infant pancreas, although structurally mature at term, is usable for several months to produce enzymes sufficient for effective digestion.
Pancreatic lipase, alpha-amylase and the proteolytic enzymes are in too short supply to accommodate digestion of a mixed diet. Digestion of fat is a real concern because there is a deficiency of bile salts from the liver as well as low lipase release from the pancreas.
Digestion and absorption at infant age
What does the term "diet" mean? The definition of a diet as the complete oral consumption of nutrients and non-nutritive substances is comprehensive yet lacks specificity. It is defined by the typical composition and allocation of nutrients and foods ingested by an individual or a specified group.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The most popular Articles
-
Much attention has been focused on the need to limit dietary intake. Nevertheless, the body does need fats – but the right fats and in app...
-
Honey represents a thick, highly concentrated sugar solution derived from nectar gathered and transformed by honeybees. Acacia honey, specif...
-
Small intestine is a long tube, with a small diameter (about 1 inch), extending from pyloric sphincter to the ileocecal valve and divided in...
-
Selenium in Food The amount of selenium in a plant-derived food varies largely with its protein content and with the area of the country in ...
-
A heart-healthy diet plays a crucial role in preventing cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally. Certain fruits and vege...
Other interesting articles
-
-
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a prevalent health issue affecting millions worldwide. It's intricately linked to various physiolog...
-
The Birth of the Chocolate Bar and Its Impact on the Confectionery Industry - The invention of the chocolate bar marked a transformative milestone in food history, reshaping how chocolate was produced, consumed, and commercialized. B...