This story is part of a series exploring human anatomy and physiology complexities. Each story in this collection showcases discoveries reshaping our understanding of the body's inner workings, ...

The human small intestine is an essential organ that helps us absorb nutrients and vitamins from food. It is an average of 6 meters long and is covered with millions of villi that are separated by ...

A new preclinical study published in the journal Nature is demonstrating how fructose can alter cells in the small intestine, subsequently enhancing nutrient absorption and promoting weight gain. The ...

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) affects how well the small intestine absorbs nutrients. Surgery, medications, and nutritional support are all part of a comprehensive treatment plan for this condition. SBS ...

White blood cells that produce a protein called IL-17 (green) accumulate in large numbers in the small intestine of mice fed a high-salt diet for eight weeks (right), compared with mice fed a normal ...

Scientists have created a synthetic small intestinal lining designed to treat certain digestive diseases or make it easier for the body to absorb certain drugs — all contained in a solution that one ...

Chemical digestion occurs when the body uses enzymes to break down certain molecules, such as carbohydrates. This process allows the bloodstream to absorb smaller molecules to transport around the ...

It’s perfectly normal to sometimes see some undigested food in your stool. But if you have other symptoms, it might be a sign of a health problem. Is It Normal to Have Undigested Food in Your Stool?

Since vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, any excess is excreted in the urine in a few hours. Current U.S. recommendations call for 75 mg of vitamin C per day for adult women and 90 mg per day for ...