RD - Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Practice Test – Practice Questions & Prep

Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced by the parietal cells in the stomach and plays a crucial role in the digestive process, specifically in the absorption of vitamin B12. After vitamin B12 is released from food during digestion, it binds to intrinsic factor in the stomach, forming a complex that protects the vitamin from digestion and allows it to be absorbed in the ileum, which is part of the small intestine. Without sufficient intrinsic factor, the body cannot effectively absorb vitamin B12, which can lead to deficiencies and associated health issues, such as pernicious anemia.

Understanding the function of intrinsic factor helps highlight its importance in nutrition, particularly in relation to maintaining adequate levels of vitamin B12, which is essential for red blood cell production and neurological function.