Malabsorption

Definition of Malabsorption:

Improper utilization 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).  There are other causes as well.

Topics Related to Malabsorption

Carbohydrate Intolerance

...the condition
“...Probiotics: Probiotics containing lactobacillus acidophilus can help reduce the digestive discomfort associated with carbohydrate malabsorption.  However, it is important not to overdose on probiotics, especially if you have trouble digesting carbohydrates...”

Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome

...the condition
“...Nutritional Inadequacies: Nutritional deficiencies, especially of the B-complex vitamins, magnesium or iron may be aggravated by malabsorption or increased utilization...”
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More topics Related to Malabsorption

Clubbed Fingers Or Toes

...the condition
“...The main causes of clubbed fingers are generally conditions involving the heart and/or lungs that cause chronically low blood levels of oxygen, and conditions that cause malabsorption.  These include...”

Coronary Disease / Heart Attack

...our question about Unintentional recent weight loss
“...It is evident that malabsorption of fats is related to heart failure...”

Crohn's Disease

...relationship to Bacterial Dysbiosis
“...made in confirming or disproving this theory, although bacterial overgrowth of the jejunum has been found in 30% of patients hospitalized for Crohn's disease, in which it contributes to diarrhea and malabsorption.  The demonstration of increased intestinal permeability in patients with active Crohn's disease and in healthy first degree relatives suggests the existence of a preexisting abnormality...”
...relationship to Vitamin B12 Requirement
“Crohn's disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12.”
...recommendation Sugar Avoidance / Reduction
“...Yeast and bacteria can then overgrow in response to these newly available nutrients, increasing toxic by-products and mucus production, resulting in further injury to the small intestine and malabsorption.  Digestion is worsened – thus "the vicious cycle"...”

Dehydration

...relationship to Short Bowel Syndrome
“Short bowel syndrome is a malabsorption disorder in which water and nutrients are not properly absorbed because a significant portion of the small intestine is missing...”

Diarrhea

...the condition
“...including drugs and chemicals; infection with viruses, bacteria, or parasites; certain foods; stress; tumors; and chronic disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and malabsorption syndromes...”
...recommendation Zinc
“...Individuals who have had gastrointestinal surgery or who have digestive disorders that result in malabsorption, including sprue, Crohn's disease and short bowel syndrome, are at greater risk of a zinc deficiency...”

Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion

...the condition
“...Whipple's Disease: A malabsorption disease caused by bacteria...”

Eczema

...relationship to Bacterial Dysbiosis
“...Evidence of small bowel dysbiosis and subtle malabsorption phenomena was found in the majority of cases.”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Requirement

...the condition
“...Essential Fatty Acid deficiency is rare among healthy individuals who consume a varied diet, usually occurring in infants on poor diets deficient in EFAs, those with malabsorption disorders, or those on highly fat-restrictive diets...”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 3 Requirement

...the condition
“...It is more common in those with malabsorption disorders, and those on highly fat-restrictive diets...”

EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Type 6 Requirement

...the condition
“...Individuals with fat malabsorption issues are at higher risk of Omega-6 deficiency...”

Giardiasis Infection

...recommendation Dairy Products Avoidance
“Studies have shown that giardia infection, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, can reduce the production of lactase in the small intestine, resulting in lactose malabsorption and its resultant diarrhea...”

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease

...relationship to Vitamin B12 Requirement
“Celiac disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12.”

Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency

...the condition
“...Gallstones; Diabetes; Greater risk of bad bacteria and parasites in the intestines; Ulcer formation; Reduced liver function; Decreased white blood cell activity; Mineral deficiencies due to malabsorption

Hypothyroidism

...the condition
“...Hypothyroidism can cause ... Digestive problems: hydrochloric acid production is reduced, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients, undigested proteins, and digestive complaints...”

Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut

...the condition
“...Continued irritation and inflammation of the gut lining causes an even greater malabsorption by reducing the overall surface area of the lining...”

Intestinal Malabsorption Syndrome

...the condition
“...Specific causes – of which there are many – lead to different patterns in malabsorption, involving for example fat and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), vitamin B12, folic acid, iron, protein or carbohydrates...”

Iron Requirement

...the condition
“A deficiency of iron can occur in the body for a variety of reasons, such as inadequate intake, poor absorption (for example chronic diarrhoea or malabsorption syndrome), increased iron demands (as in pregnancy) and abnormal loss of blood from the body (for example hookworm, gastric ulcers and frequent or excessive menstruation)...”

Lactose Intolerance

...the condition
“...Other studies have found close to 85% lactose malabsorption among black teenagers...”
...our question about Flatulence
“"Lactose malabsorption and lactase deficiency are chronic organic pathologic conditions characterized by abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, and the passage of loose, watery stools...”

Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement

...relationship to Magnesium Requirement
“Magnesium deficiency has been found to be more common in patients with diabetes, liver disease or malabsorption problems.”
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More topics Related to Malabsorption

Magnesium Requirement

...the condition
“...Gastrointestinal problems, such as malabsorption disorders, can cause magnesium depletion by preventing the body from using the magnesium in food...”

Mastocytosis

...the condition
“...When too many mast cells are present in the body, the chemicals that they release can cause ... Malabsorption...”

Menke's disease

...the condition
“Alternative names: Inherited copper deficiency or Menkes' syndrome Menke's disease is a rare problem of copper malabsorption in male infants...”

Osteoporosis - Osteopenia

...the condition
“...Although diet is the best way to ensure adequate calcium intake, supplements may be needed by ... people with lactose intolerance, celiac disease or malabsorption problems...”

Pancreatitis

...the condition
“...Reduced digestive enzymes cause malabsorption of nutrients, leading to both weight loss and poor quality bowel movements...”

Pellagra

...related topic
“A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (B1), usually occurring in alcoholics or in persons with malabsorption disorders.”

Rheumatoid Arthritis

...relationship to Zinc Requirement
“There is a possibility that zinc malabsorption may contribute to low zinc levels amongst rheumatoid arthritics...”

Selenium Requirement

...the condition
“...This decline in selenium occurs even in early stages of disease when malnutrition or malabsorption cannot be a factor...”

Short Bowel Syndrome

...the condition
“...Short bowel syndrome is a malabsorption disorder in which part(s) of the small intestine are missing either due to surgery, a congenital defect, or dysfunction of a large segment of bowel...”

Steatorrhea

...the condition
“...It is common in malabsorption syndromes...”
...our question about Undigested fat in stools
“...When a malabsorption disorder or another cause disrupts this process, excretion of fat in the stool increases.”
...recommendation Stool Exam
“...The qualitative test involves staining a specimen of stool with a special dye, then examining it microscopically for evidence of malabsorption, such as undigested muscle fiber and various fats...”

Stool Exam

...as a treatment
“...Detecting poor absorption of nutrients by the digestive tract (malabsorption syndrome)...”

Test Copper Levels

...as a treatment
“...Copper may be lowered with corticosteroids, zinc, malnutrition, and malabsorption.  Elevated results from noncertified trace element-free tubes may be due to contamination...”

Underconsumption

...the condition
“...Other causes can include ... Malabsorption...”

Vitamin B1 Requirement

...the condition
“...risk of deficiency include some young children and teenagers, stressed adults, those who exercise very heavily, alcoholics, pregnant women, those on restrictive diets and people suffering from malabsorption diseases, who are not supplemented with any B1...”

Vitamin B12 Requirement

...our question about Removal of section of small bowel
“Resection of the bowel increases the risk of vitamin B12 malabsorption.  Even 7% to 10% of individuals with serum vitamin B12 levels in the 200-400pg/mL range have developed neuropsychiatric complications of vitamin B12 deficiency...”

Vitamin B6 Requirement

...the condition
“...It is known that B6 is actively transported to the fetus and concentrated up to 4 times the normal level; Malabsorption: Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, etc...”

Vitamin D Requirement

...our question about Removal of section of small bowel
“Vitamin D malabsorption reflects the extent of distal small bowel resection in Crohn's disease patients.”

Vitamin E Requirement

...our question about Removal of section of small bowel
“Ileal resection can lead to malabsorption of both divalent cations (such as calcium and magnesium) and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and vitamin K.”
...recommendation Vitamin E
“Vitamin E deficiency that occurs with cholestatic liver disease or other malabsorption syndromes can be treated with weekly injections of 100mg alpha-tocopherol that may continue for six months...”

Weight Loss

...as a treatment
“...The longer the segment of small intestine bypassed, the greater the malabsorption, and the fewer the calories absorbed from the food you eat and the greater the weight loss...”

Weight Loss Surgery

...as a treatment
“...Gastric bypass surgery also causes malabsorption of some nutrients...”

Zinc Requirement

...the condition
“...Gastrointestinal malabsorption can lead to deficiency...”
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