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1. Absorption of nutrients: The intestinal mucosa is an extremely thin layer made up of only one layer of cells. The outer membrane of these cells in turn forms tiny finger-like projections (microvilli), which increase the surface area of the cell, thereby maximizing the absorption of nutrients. If this cell layer is damaged, nutrient deficiencies can easily occur.💊
2. Secretion of digestive enzymes: Digestive enzymes are also produced in the cells of the intestinal mucosa and secreted into the intestine. These break down the nutrients that have already been broken down in the upper digestive tract into even smaller molecules, which can then be absorbed by the intestines. Examples are the milk sugar lactase and the household sugar sucrase - both are disaccharides that must first be broken down into simple sugars before the intestine can absorb them. If the mucous membrane is affected, the sugars are unfortunately not absorbed sufficiently and are broken down by intestinal bacteria. This can then lead to flatulence, mushy stools and various digestive problems.🤒
3. Barrier function: The intestinal mucosa forms a physical barrier between the intestinal contents and the inside of our body. Specific protein connections between the individual epithelial cells prevent bacteria, foreign proteins and other potentially harmful substances from penetrating the intestine into the lymph and blood. This barrier function is fundamentally important so that the immune system or the immune cells located in and behind the intestinal mucosa are not excessively triggered and overloaded, which promotes allergies, inflammation and infections.💪
4. Healthy intestinal flora: An intact barrier also prevents oxygen from getting from the blood into the intestine, which is extremely important because the health-promoting intestinal bacteria can only thrive in an oxygen-poor environment. Damage to the mucous membrane can lead to the proliferation of unhealthy germs in the intestine (dysbiosis).👾
5. Release of mucus: The intestinal mucus protects and lubricates the mucous membrane. It also buffers acids that are found in the food pulp and serves as a valuable breeding ground for good intestinal bacteria. 🦠
6. Immune defense: The mucous membrane contains specialized cells that produce antimicrobial/antibiotic substances and are involved in the defense against pathogens and foreign substances. In addition, the mucous membrane is where our intestinal bacteria live, which ensures the vital training of our immune system. Disturbances of the mucous membrane can lead to incorrect colonization of the intestine with bad bacteria and fungi (dysbiosis) and result in impairments of the immune system. 🦸
7. Hormone production: The intestinal mucosa also produces various hormones. For example, the peptide hormone gastrin, which stimulates the release of stomach acid, or the peptide hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which causes the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas into the intestines and the contraction of the gallbladder. If the mucous membrane is damaged, important digestive steps are impaired and digestive problems are increased.👾
