The Intrinsic factor is a substance that is produced by the stomach and it has the important function of producing vitamin B12 which is necessary for life. Vitamin B12 is used in the production of mature red blood cells. It also improves the function of the nervous system. The production of this intrinsic factor is a very vital role of the stomach because, in the absence of a stomach, for example, in the case of a gastrectomy, a person can only survive if he is given injections of Vitamin B12.
The stomach also serves as a holding center for food and eventually delivers the food to the small intestine and the duodenum.
