What are common symptoms of malabsorption syndrome?
Constipation or
diarrhea, dry skin, fatigue, gas, mental difficulties such as depression or an in ability to concentrate, muscle cramps and
or weakness, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), staetorrhea (pale, bulky, fatty stools), a tendency to bruise easily, failure to
grow normally, thinning hair, unexplained weight loss, and visual difficulties, especially problems with night vision.
Abdominal
discomfort may be present
A combination of anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss is typical.
Obesity may result, if fats
are deposited in the tissues rather than being utilized properly by the body. In an attempt to get the nutrient sit needs
but is not absorbing, the body may begin to crave more and more food, often leading to the consumption of many empty and /
or fat calories.
What disorders are among the most common health problems in US today?
DIGESTIVE DISORDERS. Impaired
digestion leads to malabsorbtion because if food in not broken down properly, the nutrients it contains cannot be absorbed
through the lining of the intestines. The intestinal tract, pancreas, liver and gallbladder all have parts to play in the
uptake of nutrients. Anything that interferes with the proper functioning of any of these can lead to impaired digestion.
What factors contribute to impaired digestion?
Lack of adequate levels of digestive enzymes: with age production
of HCL drops
Food allergies: immune system an antibody in response to ingested food
Diet deficient in nutrients: i.e.
B vitamins are needed to produce digestive enzymes
Diseases of the pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and bile duct that result
in lack of bile and essential enzymes
What happens to undigested food?
Undigested food ferments in the intestinal
tract, causing gas, bloating and abdominal pain and discomfort. Any type of nutrient maybe affected by poor digestion, but
most often it is lipids (fats) that are affected most.
Can food be properly digested and still not properly absorbed?
There may be a problem that prevents nutrients from being taken up by the bloodstream and used to nourish the body tissues.
Damage to the intestinal walls, through which nutrients are absorbed, is one such problem. Disorders such as celiac disease,
colitis, Chrohn's disease, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, parasitic infestation, and excessive
consumption of alcohol, antacids or laxatives can all cause intestinal damage. Chronic constipation and or diarrhea can have
the same result. Another problem is too-rapid intestinal transit time, which results in nutrients being passed out of the
body as waste before they can be absorbed. Radiation therapy, digitalis treatment, and surgery that shortens the intestinal
tract all reduce the absorptive area, and therefor the absorptive capacity, of the small bowel.
What other factors
can contribute to malfunction of the absorption processes?
Poor diet
Excess mucous covering the intestinal lining:
resultant of over consumption of mucous-forming and processed foods
Imbalance in intestinal bacterial flora: candidiasis
Use of certain medications: antibiotics, anti-gout, and cholesterol-lowering drugs
Food allergies
Illness such
as cancer and aids
Obstructions in the lymphatic system
What other problems can malabsorption lead to?
Impaired
absorption of protein can include edema (swelling of the tissues due to fluid retention)
Lack of potassium can result
in muscle weakness and cardiovascular problems
Lack of needed iron and folic acid leads to anemia
Deficiency in calcium
and vitamin D result in bone loss and tetany, characterized by painful muscular spasms and tremors.
Lack of vitamin K
leads to ease in bruising
Deficiency in vitamin A can lead to night blindness
Malabsorption is self-perpetuating:
failure to absorb B vitamins and to transfer amino acids across the intestinal lining interferes with the production of needed
digestive enzymes and causes further malabsorption, since these nutrients are essential in the absorption process itself.
A vicious cycle ensues.
How do I turn this around and start absorbing what I am ingesting?
Important Nutrients
Cleanse
your eliminatory organs, a thorough colon cleansing program will promote whole body health - removes mucous and plaque
build-up from intestinal walls, allowing for proper absorption & elimination
Replenish the friendly bacteria
in your digestive tract with probiotics - reintroduce friendly flora into intestinal tract, needed for uptake and manufacture
of many nutrients
Multi-vitamin/mineral formula - supply balanced all natural nutrients in a form that allows for faster,
more efficient absorption.
Vitamin B Complex - b vitamins must be replenished daily, needed to correct deficiencies
Natural
Digestive Food Enzymes - improves digestion & absorption of nutrients
Calcium - healthy bones
Magnesium - important
for energy production, assists in calcium and potassium absorption
Vitamin C - stimulates immune function
Vitamin
E - essential antioxidant, impr0oves circulation, necessary for tissue repair
Important Herbs
Alfalfa, dandelion
root, fennel seed, ginger, and nettle are rich in minerals and can aid the body in absorbing nutrients.
Aloe Vera and
peppermint aid digestion
Black pepper contains piperine, which aids in the digestion and absorption of nutrients
Buchu
decreases inflammation of the colon and mucous membranes
Goldenseal promotes the functioning capacity of the colon, liver
and pancreas (do not take goldenseal daily for more than one week, as it may disturb the intestinal flora. Do not use it durring
pregnancy)
Irish moss and rhubarb are food for colon disorders
Yellow dock improves colon and liver function
Follow
dietary recommendation s for at least 30 days to give the colon a chance to heal and to cleanse its walls of hard matter and
mucous. After thirty days, you may gradually reintroduce the foods that you have eliminated.
Dietary recommendations:
High in complex carbohydrates and low in fats
Eat plenty of fruits (except citrus)
Consume fresh papaya and pineapple
often
Broil, steam or bake white fish three times a week
Do not eat large meal
Drink 1/2 body weight in ounces
of water each day
Avoid wheat until healing is completed
Avoid caffeine
Keep fats and oils to an absolute minimum