Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can decrease the absorption of which nutrient?

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can decrease the absorption of which nutrient?

• A. Calcium
• B. Iron
• C. Zinc
• D. Vitamin B12

Answer: (B)

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors slow the breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the small intestine by blocking brush-border enzymes. This change in digestion alters the luminal environment and the time nutrients spend in contact with the intestinal mucosa. Iron absorption, especially non-heme iron, is sensitive to those luminal conditions and to the duration of contact with the absorptive surface. When carbohydrate digestion is delayed, the efficiency of iron uptake can decrease, making iron absorption the nutrient most likely to be reduced. Calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12 absorption rely more on other factors (like vitamin D status and gastric acid for calcium, intrinsic factor and ileal function for B12, and dietary inhibitors for zinc), so they’re not as directly affected by this specific mechanism.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors slow the breakdown of complex carbohydrates in the small intestine by blocking brush-border enzymes. This change in digestion alters the luminal environment and the time nutrients spend in contact with the intestinal mucosa. Iron absorption, especially non-heme iron, is sensitive to those luminal conditions and to the duration of contact with the absorptive surface. When carbohydrate digestion is delayed, the efficiency of iron uptake can decrease, making iron absorption the nutrient most likely to be reduced.

Calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12 absorption rely more on other factors (like vitamin D status and gastric acid for calcium, intrinsic factor and ileal function for B12, and dietary inhibitors for zinc), so they’re not as directly affected by this specific mechanism.