Malabsorption Syndrome (Plus, 5 Natural Ways to Get the Nutrients Your Body Needs)

You might eat a healthy diet. You may try to take the right supplements and drink pure, hydrating beverages. But all that might not matter if your digestive tract cannot actually absorb the nutrients you’re eating and drinking. Here’s what you need to know about malabsorption syndrome and natural ways to get your digestive tract back on track.

What Is Malabsorption Syndrome?

What is nutrient malabsorption?

When food enters your digestive tract, and more specifically your small intestine, the intestine’s role is to absorb the nutrients in the food you eat. But sometimes there’s a breakdown in the chain of activities that occur in your digestive tract.

Malabsorption syndrome is when at least one of the following three processes in the digestion process (1) goes awry and doesn’t function properly:

• Enzymes break down the fats, proteins and carbohydrates in your food.


• Additional enzymes convert some nutrients into active forms that your body then absorbs.


• Your lymphatic system then transports and carries these absorbed nutrients to various parts of your body.

Signs and Symptoms

Malabsorption syndrome symptoms and signs are inherently linked with various nutritional deficiencies. Thus, the symptoms can be very subtle, and different from person to person depending on what specific nutrients their bodies are not absorbing properly.

It’s also important to note that some cases of malabsorption syndrome are linked with specific diseases, such as celiac disease or liver disease or pancreatitis, which bring with them their own set of specific side effects.

However, some general symptoms may be present in most, if not all, cases of malabsorption syndrome: (2)

• Weight loss


• Loss of muscle mass


• Weakness and chronic fatigue


• Poor mental clarity or trouble thinking


• Changes in your stool and digestion, including:
  
  
  
  • Diarrhea from bile acid malabsorption
  
  
  • Bulky stools
  
  
  • Fat in stool
  
  
  • Mucus in stool
  
  
  • Excess gas
  
  
  • Bloating
  
  
  • Cramping
  
  
  
  

What are the symptoms of fat malabsorption?

There may be nutrient-specific stool and body symptoms that can help you and your doctor diagnose exactly what’s going on.

For instance, if your stool is light in color, floats easily or sticks to the toilet, and is very soft, you may not be absorbing fats. This results in fatty stools with these fat malabsorption symptoms and characteristics.

If you aren’t absorbing certain carbohydrates (such as fructose malabsorption), you may experience diarrhea, gas or bloating.

If your body isn’t getting enough protein, you may notice hair loss, skin rashes or dry skin, or fluid retention.

Can you have malabsorption and weight gain?

If you aren’t getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals, you may experience weight loss, anemia, malnutrition and more.

Causes and Risk Factors

What causes intestinal malabsorption?

In many people, simple factors — such as poor gut health or a poor diet — can lead to malabsorption. However, in more severe cases, malabsorption may arise due to major risk factors and disease-related causes, such as: (3)

1. Celiac disease. Approximately 1 percent of the population has this disease (4) which can affect how their bodies digest food, especially when gluten is present in their diet.


2. Lactose intolerance. Approximately 65 percent of the population have trouble digesting lactose. (5) The stress that lactose places on your digestive system can affect how your body processes and absorbs essential nutrients.


3. Short bowel syndrome. If you have a problem with your small intestine due to birth defects, a disease or even an injury, you may need surgery. The resulting surgery can shorten the length of your intestine, and less intestine means less nutrients get absorbed.


4. Whipple’s disease. It’s a very rare disease of the digestive tract caused by a bacteria infection, (6) and it can hamper your intestine’s ability to process and absorb fats, proteins and carbohydrates.


5. Medications. Some drugs may affect how your body processes and absorbs specific nutrients.

In more unusual, and very rare cases, malabsorption can be a side effect of parasites, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis and other health concerns.

Malabsorption Conventional Treatment

To diagnose your condition and figure out if your symptoms are signs of malabsorption syndrome or some other problem, your doctor may do one or more of the following: (7)

• Ask you about your symptoms and review your medical history.


• Order a blood or stool test.

Take a biopsy to examine the tissue in your small intestine.

Practicing mindfulness during meals can help slow down your eating pace, reducing strain on your digestive system. By focusing on the different temperatures, flavors, textures, and smells of each bite, you can fully appreciate and savor your food.

It's important to note that malabsorption is not easily fixed with just diet and lifestyle changes. If your body is not absorbing essential nutrients like fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, it can lead to serious health complications. For instance, inadequate protein intake can result in muscle wasting and increased injury risks, while deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can weaken your immune system.

If you suspect malabsorption, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. Ignoring malabsorption can have severe consequences on your overall health and well-being.

In conclusion, malabsorption syndrome can prevent your body from absorbing vital nutrients, leading to various health issues. It is essential to address the underlying causes, such as digestive disorders, genetic factors, infections, medications, or previous surgeries, through proper diagnosis and treatment. Collaborating with healthcare providers and dietitians is crucial to managing malabsorption effectively and preventing further complications. sentence in a different way:

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