The most common signs of the disease are weight loss and diarrhea. Malabsorption can lead to weight loss, because the body cannot absorb nutrients through the bloodstream. Other symptoms include: stomach pain.
Factors that may cause malabsorption syndrome include: damage to the intestine from infection, inflammation, trauma (injury), or surgery. prolonged use of antibiotics. other conditions such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, chronic pancreatitis, or cystic fibrosis.
Phytates (phytic acid) in whole grains, seeds, legumes, some nuts—can decrease the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. [2,3] Saponins in legumes, whole grains—can interfere with normal nutrient absorption. Tannins in tea, coffee, legumes—can decrease iron absorption.
Treatment may include diet changes and supplements. If left untreated, malabsorption syndrome can cause complications like a weak immune system, nutrient deficiencies, and osteoporosis.
The muscles of the small intestine mix food with digestive juices from the pancreas, liver, and intestine, and push the mixture forward for further digestion. The walls of the small intestine absorb water and the digested nutrients into your bloodstream.
Small intestine
It's largely responsible for the continuous breaking-down process. The jejunum and ileum lower in the intestine are mainly responsible for the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. Contents of the small intestine start out semi-solid and end in a liquid form after passing through the organ.
When there is inadequate absorption of fats in the digestive tract, stool contains excess fat and is light-colored, soft, bulky, greasy, and unusually foul-smelling (such stool is called steatorrhea). The stool may float or stick to the side of the toilet bowl and may be difficult to flush away.
Absorption enhancing factors are ascorbic acid and meat, fish and poultry; inhibiting factors are plant components in vegetables, tea and coffee (e.g., polyphenols, phytates), and calcium. After identifying these factors their individual impact on iron absorption is described.
Antioxidants like phytates or polyphenols can bind with certain micronutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and prevent absorption into the body. Phytates are found in the outer layer of plants and can bind with minerals like zinc, calcium or iron, which prevents their absorption in the intestines.
1. What are the two main factors that affect absorption of a mineral? The physiological state of the body (i.e., is the body in a defi- cient or an overload state?) and the bioavailability of the mineral affect its absorption. 3.