Malabsorption

In Ayurveda, the digestive process is considered the most essential foundation of health, as it maintains and prevents diseases and disharmony.

Malabsorption is a common condition today. An irregular digestive process causes it and prevents the ingestion of nutrients, the secretion of digestive enzymes, and the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream.

The digestive process is divided into three stages: separating food into digestible pieces, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste. The first signs of malabsorption appear as digestive difficulties, including gas, bloating, acid reflux, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea, which can affect all three stages. However, malabsorption typically occurs during the second stage in the small intestine, when the lining is damaged.

What we ingest is divided into two categories: macronutrients, including protein, fats, and carbohydrates, and micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. 

Macronutrient malabsorption results in weight loss, muscle wasting, infections, bruising, dry skin and lesions, dry hair and loss, dehydration, edema, anemia, amenorrhea, and growth delays.  Micronutrient malabsorption can result in night blindness (vitamin A deficiency), weak bones (vitamin D deficiency), bleeding gums and nosebleeds (vitamin K deficiency), paleness, weakness, dizziness, and anemia. (vitamin B12 deficiency),

Some causes include ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, drugs, medications, alcohol use, antibiotics, radiation, chemotherapy, and SIBO.

Western medicine employs various diagnostic tests to determine malabsorption, including hydrogen breath tests, blood, stool, and sweat tests, as well as imaging and biopsies. Ayurveda identifies malabsorption by examining the tongue, face, nails, and specific digestive issues related to the doshas.

Holistic treatment of malabsorption always starts with strengthening and balancing the digestive fire (Agni). This process begins by identifying the underlying cause of the digestive issue (allergenic foods, toxins, stress, or parasites) and treating all associated factors simultaneously. 

Below are some considerations:

• Eat easily digested foods such as soups, broths, kitchari, crock pot meals, oatmeal, and porridge.

• Avoid raw, cold, dry-rough foods like salads, juices, crackers, rice cakes, dry toast, and popcorn. 

• Limit meat consumption, which takes longer to process and break down, and can cause blockages.

• Using vitamins and supplements as a substitute for nutrients can starve the body of fiber and clog channels.

• Invigorate the digestive fire with stimulants; raw ginger, consumed before and after meals, is the easiest and most effective option.

• Consider a fast day once a week with soup kitchari made with your doshic spices.

• Use a suitable spice blend tailored to your constitution to support digestion and absorption.

• Add digestive tea like cumin, coriander, fennel, or fresh ginger tea during the day.

• Reduce stress, which causes hormonal imbalances, and regulate our digestion.

• Daily, promote healthy gut flora (dysbiosis) with probiotics like yogurt, lassi, kefir, or Takra.