Vitamins are important in promoting and maintaining health, but some individuals may have trouble absorbing the vitamins they get through diet or supplementation. There are many causes for malabsorption of vitamins, and it is important to see your health care provider to get an accurate diagnosis so the underlying condition can be treated. If left untreated, you may become malnourished and ill.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic disease that involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, causing pain and frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. While the exact causes are not known, it is hypothesized that there is an autoimmune component to the condition, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Individuals with this condition may experience nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption of nutrients and vitamins. According to the NDDIC, malabsorption is a common effect of the condition, along with intestinal loss of protein and poor dietary intake. Due to the diarrhea and frequent bowel movements associated with Crohn's disease, holding onto vitamins long enough to be absorbed by the body can be difficult. Medication, nutritional supplements or surgery may all be used to treat this disease.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition in which an affected individual cannot consume foods containing gluten. When gluten is ingested, an immune reaction occurs in the small intestines, causing damage to the intestinal wall and interfering with nutrient absorption. This can be accompanied by diarrhea, bloating, anemia, abdominal pain and muscle cramps. If left untreated, this can result in an individual becoming malnourished because they are not absorbing the vitamins and nutrients necessary for health. There is no cure, but eliminating gluten from the diet and taking vitamin supplements can treat symptoms of the disease and give you the proper vitamins and minerals you need.
Medications
Some medications can cause your body to not absorb certain vitamins. Norton Healthcare states that these medications can include some antacids, tetracycline, some weight-loss medications and phenytoin. Talk with your health care provider about the medications you are taking and whether they might interfere with your absorption of nutrients, and if so, how to avoid a deficiency.
Cholestasis
Cholestasis is a term for any condition that blocks the flow of bile from the liver. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this can be caused by a variety of reasons, including pancreatitis, bile duct tumors, alcoholic liver disease, pregnancy and lymphoma, among other causes. Cholestasis interferes with the digestion of foods, thereby causing problems with the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, according to the University of Maryland. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.
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