A substance secreted by the stomach which enables the body to absorb vitamin B₁₂. It is a glycoprotein.
〔生化〕内因子
Example sentencesExamples
In most cases, vitamin B12 deficiency happens because the stomach cannot produce enough of a substance called intrinsic factor, which is needed for vitamin B12 to be absorbed.
The vitamin is then bound by intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by parietal cells of the stomach, and carried to the ileum where it is absorbed.
The detection of serum antibodies to intrinsic factor and an elevated serum gastrin level confirmed the diagnosis of pernicious anemia.
Your stomach needs to secrete intrinsic factor in order to absorb B12, and if for some reason it doesn't, you will need to have regular vitamin B12 injections.
Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B - 12 can't be absorbed and leaves the body as waste.
Definition of intrinsic factor in US English:
intrinsic factor
noun
Biochemistry
A substance secreted by the stomach which enables the body to absorb vitamin B₁₂. It is a glycoprotein.
〔生化〕内因子
Example sentencesExamples
The detection of serum antibodies to intrinsic factor and an elevated serum gastrin level confirmed the diagnosis of pernicious anemia.
In most cases, vitamin B12 deficiency happens because the stomach cannot produce enough of a substance called intrinsic factor, which is needed for vitamin B12 to be absorbed.
Without intrinsic factor, vitamin B - 12 can't be absorbed and leaves the body as waste.
The vitamin is then bound by intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by parietal cells of the stomach, and carried to the ileum where it is absorbed.
Your stomach needs to secrete intrinsic factor in order to absorb B12, and if for some reason it doesn't, you will need to have regular vitamin B12 injections.