Intolerances
& Malabsorptions
A
malabsorption is the body’s difficulty
digesting a particular nutrient. When
the body cannot digest this nutrient at all it is called an
“intolerance”. Many people
experience diarrhea as a result
of these two conditions.
Lactose
intolerance
One of the most common
conditions is lactose
intolerance. Lactose is found in dairy
products. Babies are born with an enzyme
in their small intestines that breaks down lactose for digestion. For many of us, production of this enzyme
decreases dramatically after the early childhood years limiting the
body’s
ability to break down lactose. This
leads to lactose intolerance. When
consumed, lactose reaches the small intestines, is unable to be broken
down and
is dumped into the bowels causing diarrhea, gas, bloating and cramping.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption of certain
sugars, fats, proteins
or vitamins in food can have a very similar effect as lactose
intolerance. Malabsorption can be a
personal condition but
is many times cause by a disease or condition. AIDS,
celiac disease, pancreatic cancer,
Crohn’s disease, cystic
fibrosis, parasites and tapeworms have all been know to cause
malabsorptions.
Prevention
& Treatment
Prevention and treatment
methods for
malabsorptions and intolerances will largely depend on the subject of
these
conditions. In the case of lactose
intolerance, avoiding dairy products will stop the chances of
experiencing
symptoms. In addition, taking supplements
would replace the vitamins and minerals that a person would normally
receive
from dairy products. Malabsorptions are
handled
in the same way except there has to be a consideration for the cause of
the
malabsorption.
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