The lower two-thirds of the small intestine, ending in the ileocecal valve and emptying into the cecum of the colon. The last foot of the ileum is the only absorption site available for important dietary substances such as vitamin B12, folic acid, some essential fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins, and recycled bile acids.

	Crohn's Disease The Condition "...Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus..." Relationship to Small Intestine Cancer "Adenocarcinoma of the small bowel is associated with Crohn disease, which usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine (the ileum)..." Enteritis The Condition "...Regional enteritis (ileitis, or Crohn disease) is a chronic inflammation that, in its common form, is confined to the terminal portion of the ileum..." Ileocecal Related Topic "Pertaining to both the last section of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestines, the ascending colon or cecum..." Ileostomy Related Topic "...The surgeon makes an opening in the abdomen and attaches the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) to it..." Magnesium Requirement The Condition "...If any portion of this area (called the ileum) has been removed, magnesium absorption will be reduced..." Malabsorption Related Topic "...of needed and available nutrients, either from impaired digestive function (such as B12 being unabsorbed because of gastritis), impaired absorption (poor Vitamin E absorption because of an inflamed ileum) or impaired transport (the diminished blood proteins of the advanced alcoholic)..." Poor Small Intestine Health The Condition "...The small intestine is the largest part of the gastrointestinal tract and is composed of the duodenum which is about one foot long, jejunum (5-8 feet long), and ileum (16-20 feet long)..." Vitamin B12 Requirement The Condition "...B12 is absorbed by the part of the bowel called the ileum, so surgery to remove the ileum (an ileostomy) is quite likely to cause B12 deficiency..." Vitamin E As A Treatment "...DeLiz treated an advanced case of Crohn's disease (severe ileum or colon inflammation and ulceration with bloody diarrhea), another incurable disease, with remarkable results using 16,000 IU of vitamin E daily..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007