Health effects intestinal tract absorption

On the other hand, disturbance of digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract probably is a major cause of impairment of nutritional health in the host, both general and possibly with regard to specific nutrients. Helminths are likely, at least periodically, to cause irritation and inflammation. Intestinal hurry and diarrhea not only leave less time for the absorption of nutrients but may also partly remove or disturb the intestinal bacterial flora whose biosynthesis of vitamins is of benefit to the host. Smith and Woodruff (1951) recorded that more than half their cases of dysentery among prisoners of war developed beriberi. This was, of course, an effect of bacterial invasion, but it is reasonable to suppose that helminths may interfere with absorption of nutrients in a similar nonspecific manner. 

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