Treatment of Malabsorbtion Syndrome

Malabsorbtion Syndrome happens when your body can't absorb the nutrients from foods. This article will cover how to treat this disorder.

Step 1

The majority of patients with malabsorption have only mild or moderate weight loss, and can continue with normal dietary intake. Oral supplementation with vitamins and minerals is usually sufficient to correct existing deficiencies, although more rapid recovery can be achieved by supplementation with 5 to 10 times the Daily Value.

Step 2

Patients with substantial steatorrhea (fatty stools) may benefit from fat-soluble vitamin analogues. For example, using the 25-hydroxylated form of vitamin D (calcifediol), which is more polar than vitamin D2 or D3 and is therefore more easily absorbed in patients with fat malabsorption. Similarly, a polar form of vitamin E, d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) has proved to be well absorbed than conventional vitamin E in fat malabsorption.

Step 3

Iron and folic acid supplementation are usually required.

Step 4

Calcium and magnesium supplementation is required in severe fat malabsorption.

Step 5

Dietary restrictions can result in full restoration of mucosal function and nutritional status in some cases. For instance, a gluten-free diet in patients with celiac disease; a reduction in dietary long chain fatty acids in patients with steatorrhea; elimination of milk and milk products in lactose intolerance; avoiding fructose in fructose intolerance; etc.

Step 6

Pancreatic insufficiency deserves a special attention. Pancreatic insufficiency is a condition where the pancreas fails to produce adequate quantities of pancreatic enzymes that are vital in the digestion of food. The mainstay of treatment in severe maldigestion and steatorrhea due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a low fat diet and administration of exogenous pancreatic enzymes. Several commercial preparations are available that contain pancreatic lipase