Our body gets the nutrients it needs from the foods we eat. As our food is digested, the nutrients are broken down and absorbed by the intestines. The nutrients are then released into the bloodstream in forms our bodies can use. Medications, illnesses and malfunctions in the digestive tract can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients like it should. When this happens, deficiencies occur and the nutrients need to be supplied in forms the body can assimilate.
Causes of Malabsorption
Several things can be responsible for the body's inability to absorb nutrients. Medications can reduce the amount of stomach acid and digestive enzymes that we need to digest food properly. If the food we eat is not broken down sufficiently, our intestines and stomach cannot absorb the nutrients as the food passes through.
Illnesses also are responsible for the malabsorption of certain nutrients. Liver disease and celiac sprue can inhibit our body's ability to digest gluten and other wheat products, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. In other cases, the body itself either does not produce an enzyme or acid it needs to digest certain foods. People who are lactose intolerant cannot properly digest dairy foods. Lactose is digested by the enzyme lactase. If your body does not produce lactase, lactose intolerance occurs.
Signs and Symptoms
Diarrhea is a common symptom seen in people who have difficulty absorbing vitamins and minerals, according to MedlinePlus. Foods are either rushed through the digestive tract undigested, causing cramping and diarrhea, or the digestive system becomes sluggish and slow moving. This causes cramping, gas, and bloating.
In infants and toddlers, the inability to gain weight or meet suggested growth markers is a sign that the child may not be getting the nutrients it needs. This is called "failure to thrive" and should be discussed with a pediatrician. In an adult, muscle deterioration and weight loss are signs something may be amiss. Anemia is the result of vitamin B12 deficiency. This can cause a person to lose weight, become pale and overly fatigued.
Treatment
If you are having trouble absorbing nutrients, you must first find out the reason why. If the reason is because of a medication, your physician will more than like prescribe a different one that will not interfere with digestion. If it is caused by an illness or a malfunction within the body, actions will need to be taken to treat the problem. No matter what the cause, to maintain good health the vitamins and minerals will need to be replenished. This may be done by finding other foods that contain the nutrients that are needed, or by taking vitamin and mineral supplements. In the case of certain forms of anemia, vitamin B12 injections may be required.
Testing for Deficiencies
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to your body's inability to absorb the nutrients it receives, there are several tests that can be performed. CT scans of the abdomen, biopsying small portions of the bowel, blood tests and stool cultures are all tests that may be called for if your physician believes you have vitamin and mineral deficiencies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Make sure that you inform your physician about all of the symptoms you are experiencing to make sure that a correct diagnosis is made.
Member Comments