Common factors and nutrients affecting intestinal villus height-A review.

Abstract

The villus of the small intestine plays an essential role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. They mix chyme with digestive secretions and absorb nutrients by assisting in food agitation and adherence in the intestinal lumen. The height of villi is a critical indicator of the effective absorptive area of the small intestine, which will be greatly reduced if the villi are shortened. Many factors influence the height of intestinal villi, including age, diet, disease, and environmental conditions. This review summarizes the common factors affecting intestinal villus height to provide theoretical guidelines for enhancing intestinal health.