Print article Malabsorption is difficulty in digestion or absorption of nutrients from food. Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunctions are the most overlooked and exceedingly common disorders today, affecting about 70 million Americans and counting.
You might eat a healthy diet and take all the right supplements but if your digestive tract can’t break down and deliver essential nutrients and fluids to your body, the only benefit you will encounter is taste. 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.
The digestive tract is very connected with the endocrine system, immune system, and nervous system. Chronic stress can damage the gut, as well as other body systems. Gut microbes can also affect the endocrine system, while bacteria can change the nervous system!
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: celiac disease, lactose intolerance, cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, bacterial, viral or parasitic infections, trauma or injury.
Common symptoms vary from person to person but can include: bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, muscle weakness, impaired wound healing, reduced immunity, rashes, food intolerances, swollen hands and feet.
How To Treat Malabsorption
The best diet for malabsorption will depend on what nutrients your body struggles to absorb, which is why it’s so important to visit a doctor for testing. Once diagnosed my Basic Gut Health Protocol involves these 3 steps:
- Reduce exposure to inflammation-causing agents and toxins to improve the gut.
- After improvements are seen, balance and re-establish beneficial bacteria in the gut.
- After steps 1 and 2 are routine and familiar, improve stomach acid production. (“light digestive fires”).
To minimize symptoms and support your body’s journey towards better health, a strong intestinal barrier can help one avoid auto-immune disease. It takes personal, preventative care. As an Integrative Health Coach I can support you with customized diet and lifestyle changes, empowering you to make the changes to optimize digestion and restore gut dysbiosis so that your immune system can function effectively. Learn more about my programs here.
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