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MALABSORPTION
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the
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Malabsorption is the inability to absorb nutrients from food. The problem may be general, or specific to a certain nutrient. Some common types include fat, carbohydrate, protein, fructose, bile, iron, vitamin A, D, B12 or vitamin K malabsorption.
Malabsorption may be caused by many different diseases affecting the digestive tract.
| Main Sites of Absorption | |
| Stomach | The stomach absorbs water, some simple sugars and alcohol. |
| Small Intestine | Most nutrients are absorbed through the "villi" of the small intestine. Iron absorption occurs predominantly in the duodenum and upper jejunum by a process that remains a mystery despite intensive investigation. The terminal ileum of the small intestine absorbs bile and vitamin B12. |
| Colon | The colon absorbs water, sodium and some fat soluble vitamins. |
Inflammatory Malabsorption
Irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract can directly damage or impair villi function. Food allergies, parasites, fermentation, constipation, alcohol, coffee, or chilis can irritate the intestines. Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's can impair absorption as well. Parasites and bacteria may steal nutrients before they are absorbed.Short Bowel Transit Time
Chronic diarrhea or quick bowel transit time may cause elimination of nutrients before they are absorbed. When stools are soft, there is a direct loss of electrolytes and water.Pancreatic Insufficiency / Lack of Enzymes
The villi cannot absorb food that is incompletely digested. Thus, malabsorption may occur when enzymes and gastric juices are deficient.Remedies
In Ayurveda, you can improve your digestion, absorption, and assimilation by eating a diet that balances the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and the gunas (hot, cold, etc). Here are some general guidelines:
- Rebuilding fluids is essential for good digestion. A simple glass of warm water 1/2hr before meals can improve digestion by 25%. Licorice root and other anti-diuretics can help retain electrolytes. Foods that rebuild fluids may be helpful - such as grapes.
- Short term use of Vitamin, mineral, and electrolyte supplements may be required while troubleshooting the cause of your malabsorption. Balanced blood chemistry improves overall body function and may improve absorption as well.
- Eat easy to digest, nutritive foods like rice, oatmeal, ghee, & sweet potatoes. Easy to digest foods can nourish your body with minimal effort. Eat at regular meal times. Relax during and after meals. Vata pacifying kitchari is nourishing but also cleanses the intestines. A light, yet nourishing diet can restimulate appetite. Belly breathing can help rebuild digestive strength.
- Spicy digestives and circulatory stimulants can warm up a cold digestive tract. Examples include black pepper, ginger, and hing. These should not be used in the presence of inflammation and irritation. In that case, fennel, cardamom, turmeric, and fresh ginger are preferred. Spices generally improve carbohydrate digestion and can break up thick mucus in the gi tract.
- Astringent herbs and spices can help bind stool in case of chronic diarrhea, giving your body more time to absorb nutrients. Examples include nutmeg and fresh, home-made buttermilk.
- Soothing anti-inflammatories like pomegranate, or herbs like shatavari can reduce inflammation. Amalaki is Ayurveda's herb of choice for restoring the lining of the digestive tract.
- Cholagogues, including foods with sour or bitter taste, can improve fat digestion by increasing bile production and release. Examples include lemon, kale, and herbs like bhumyamalaki. Use caution, bitter and sour taste can also increase bowel motility.
- Antimicrobials and anthelminthics can kill parasites and worms, as well as reduce bacterial overgrowth in the intestine. Examples include cloves, turmeric, goldenseal, neem, and kutki.
ARE YOU NEW TO AYURVEDA?
Are you wondering what Ayurveda is and how to use it for 'Malabsorption' and health in general? LEARN MOREFAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ingredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Malabsorption'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Malabsorption.| Bone & Joint | Bone Tonic BONE-TONICAn herb that strengthens the bones and joints. |
| Digestion | Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Sialogogue SIALOGOGUEA sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents |
| Cleanse and Detox | Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body. |
| Energy Vitality Strength | Nutritive , NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.Tonic TONICA tonic herb strengthens tissue, often restoring healthy function. Tonics usually target a specific organ, tissue, or system ie: brain, muscle or respiratory tonic. |
| Heart & Circulation | Blood Tonic , BLOOD-TONICAn herb that produces more blood cells in the body or otherwise strengthens blood. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.Rebuilds Fluids , REBUILDS-FLUIDSHerbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.Styptic STYPTICA herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used to stop bleeding. |
| Immune System | Anthelminthic , ANTHELMINTHICKills wormsAntimicrobial ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals. |
| Bowel-Poop-Elimination | Constipative CONSTIPATIVEAn herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation. |
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The best way to do this is with a one on one consultation.
DIET TO BALANCE 'MALABSORPTION'
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 review
SAVE INGREDIENTAjwain is native to the Middle East and is still common in Egypt as well as Indian cooking. Like turmeric, ajwain is a spice used to enhance digestibility rather than flavor.
Almond milk is a wonderful soothing drink that builds strength, immunity, and grounded energy. Its cool, heavy sweetness creates a sensation of stability and calm in the body, while offering easily accessible energy. For those suffering from lactose...
Amaranth represented up to 80% of the caloric intake of the Aztecs before the Spanish conquest. Amaranth tastes somewhat like corn, but is somewhat less sweet. Others have described the taste as nutty, like bacon or wood, or slightly bitter. It is soft,...
The word 'pepper' is dervied from the South Asian word 'pippali'. Pippali (long pepper) is a famous herb in Ayurveda for lung and heart conditions, and is a close relative of black pepper. The word pepper gradually came to include the unrelated New World...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 8 reviewsLove for cardamom resonates through history - for instance, ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom to whiten their teeth and sweeten their breath. Cardamom helps take the edge off of caffeine in the famous drink Turkish coffee. Cardamom is a member of the...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewAncestors of the wild carrot came from Iran and Afghanistan, the center of genetic diversity for carrot. Carrots were bred from a species of wild carrot, called Queen Anne's Lace. Originally they were grown for their aromatic leaves and seeds. Since...
Cinnamon is a small evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family native to Sri Lanka. Other members of this family include sassafras, avocado, camphor, and spicebush. Trees of the laurel family, including cinnamon, predominate in the world's laurel forests....
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 reviewsAppreciated since ancient times, cumin's aroma has wafted through kitchens since at least the second millennium BC, even flavoring breads and soups mentioned in the Bible. The highly valued spice was a currency to pay tithes to priests. The ancient...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 3 reviewsTrying to cut down on butter at the movies? Try popcorn with ghee and cinnamon. Ghee is golden and delicious. Children love it. It is also great as a garnish drizzled over food. For details on how to make ghee yourself search for "ghee" in the recipe...
Ever reach for dried ginger as a quick replacement for the fresh root and assume its an apt substitute? Ginger is ginger is ginger, right? Actually, not at all. Dried ginger...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 4 reviewsIntroductionA steaming hot mug of ginger tea on a damp day warms up your bones and burns away thick, heavy congestion. When the weather is soggy, you feel tired and groggy. You naturally crave sunlight and heat. Pungent and light,...
Grapes are considered a superior fruit to all others in Ayurvedic. They are an important tonic (rasayana) for late summer. Grapes have been a sign of abundance since Greek times. The Greek God or agriculture, Dionysus, is often portrayed with a crown of...
Also known as devil's dung, stinking gum, food of the gods, and giant fennel, hing has a varied and suprising diversity of uses. Along the Tex-Mex border hing was used for wolf bait. The odor attracts wolves. In Jamaica, hing is used to protect the...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewHoney - The Nectar of the Gods This pure and natural heavenly gift from nature was the first sweetener known to man. Honey's sweet goodness has been an icon of abundance for centuries. It's golden syrup seems to capture the...
(4.75 out of 5 stars) 4 reviewsChances are, Popeye never ate spinach, he ate lamb's quarters instead. Next time you take a stroll in your neighborhood, look for this nutritious weed that boasts a meaty, hearty flavor. A northern relative of quinoa, lamb's quarters is packed with...
The origin of lemons are a mystery. Do they come from southern india? burma? or china? Speculation abounds. Genetic study reveals lemons are a hybrid of a sour orange and a citron.
(4.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewLooking for a new way to keep your body refreshed and cleansed this summer? Mung beans can help you keep your cool when the days are hot. These nourishing legumes are also famous for their cleansing abilities in Ayurveda.
(4.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewNutmeg is aromatic, astringent, and a sedative. It's aromatic quality makes it ideal for improving digestion, while astringent quality helps bind the stool. Nutmeg is thus the preferred spice for cold type diarrhea. It's sedative qualities make nutmeg...
Glossy orange-red American Persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) grow wild from the east coast through to the Midwest. Akin to dates, Persimmons are very sweet & gooey. They are too sweet to ferment or rot, and thus perfect for drying. American persimmons...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewPomegranate comes from the latin words for apple (pomum) and seed (granatum), altogether meaning 'seeded-apple'. The seeds of the pomegranate are embedded in a white membrane that is also used for its medicinal qualities in Ayurveda. The french word for...
Saffron's use is ancient. Saffron-based pigments have been found in 50,000 year-old paintings in northwest Iran. It conjures romance, royalty, and delicacy wherever it appears. Alexander the Great bathed in saffron to cure battle wounds. Cultivated...
(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 reviewSalt brings out the flavor in food and brings enthusiasm for life. While contraindicated for Kapha and high blood pressure, salt is also one of the most important medicines for Vata
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR MALABSORPTION
Browse these educational resources for 'Malabsorption'.Many doctors agree, better health starts in the digestive tract. Why? Because digestion turns food into blood. Healthy blood revitalizes your entire body...
ADD TO CARTChronic indigestion remains for years after recovery from bulimia and anorexia.
Discover how Ayurveda can improve your digestive health and wellness.
Learn preventative techniques and home remedies to get rid of parasites once and for all.
In this presentation you'll learn easy yet powerful techniques for calming your food allergies.
A 48 minute presentation of diet, herbs & home remedies for leaky gut syndrome
SPECIALITY FORMULAS, AYURVEDIC HERBS, & NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR MALABSORPTION
We've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Malabsorption'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.A famous detox tea and digestive blend to detoxify and lose weight. You will feel light and vibrant as you reduce puffiness and improve your metabolism. CCF tea is typically drunk throughout the day in a hot thermos.
Easy digestion for sensitive tummies prone to gas, bloating, and constipation. Gentle, soothing, and nourishing.
Calms the immune system to reduce the severity of food allergies. Contains herbs to restore the lining of the GI tract.
Gentle astringents and anti-inflammatory herbs blended to ease chronic diarrhea
Experience the deep calm encouraged by Vata Massage Oil. Nourishing, grounding, calming herbs are infused into a sweetly warm blend of sesame and sunflower oil.
Classic Ayurvedic digestive formula. Trikatu supports metabolism of fat and reduces toxins. It is the preferred digestive for Kapha body type, although Vata individuals may use it as well.
Ayurveda's most popular herb detoxifies while it rejuvenates! Especially useful for inflammation of the GI tract.
Relieves gas & bloating, improves digestion, and tastes delicious. Hingvastak is the preferred digestive for Vata body type, although Kapha types may use it as well..
Chayavanprash is Ayurveda's most popular immune tonic, suitable for all body types. It prevents seasonal colds and flus, stimulates metabolism, and enkindles the digestive fire. Chyvanprash strengthens your body against the effects of a stressful lifesty
Shatavari means '100 husbands', testifying to its use as a female aphrodisiac. It is a cooling, nourishing, and sweet herb that restores fluids.
This stool test includes a complete antibody test, visual examination, and stool culture. It also includes metrics to assess your GI function.
Nettles provide a stellar nutritional profile to strengthen your body and build stamina.
REMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCE
With Malabsorption, one or more of the following doshas and qualities may be aggravated. If you have an imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda recommends avoiding foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate that quality and/or dosha. These imbalanced doshas and qualities will need to be brought back into balance before this condition can be healed. Click on the quality to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be avoided. If you have a systemic imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda would generally recommend avoiding foods and lifestyle habits with that quality.MALABSORPTION USUALLY MEANS THESE
DOSHAS & QUALITIES ARE AGGRAVATED 
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms.
Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak.
Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated.
If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms,
it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak. Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated. If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
| GUNA | FOODS TO AVOID | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
|---|---|---|
TOXIC
A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.
|
AVOID THESE TOXIC FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION |  Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna |
LIGHT
Lightness is identified by reduced weight.
|
AVOID THESE LIGHT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Light' guna |
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
|
AVOID THESE DRY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Dry' guna |
DIFFICULT
Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.
|
AVOID THESE DIFFICULT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods |
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
|
AVOID THESE CLEAR FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Clear' guna |
BITTER
Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.
|
AVOID THESE BITTER FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE MALABSORPTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Bitter' taste |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Malabsorption'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the
free digestion quiz.
STAGE OF DISEASE: 1 - AFFECTING DIGESTION
If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and qualities.HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
ARE YOU WONDERING HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP YOU?WHY IS AYURVEDA THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
Ayurveda strengthens the body, in addition to addressing the disorder. It take a holistic, systemic approach, instead of myopically focusing on the disorder in question. Ayurveda shows a person how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them using materials from home, so they can optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you. Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing with an exceptional focus on digestion.HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda works by first discerning your body type, which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths). It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders. Next, Ayurveda works by analyzing the nature of your disorder. It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of gunas / quali- ties. For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc. This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food in relation to qualities (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Want to learn more about Ayurveda and its step-by-step approach to healing? Click below.
LEARN MOREGET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY
WITH AYURVEDA - FREE eBOOK!
RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Malabsorption'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them.General Type
Fat Indigestion Type
Intestinal Lining Problem Type
Mineral Imbalance Type
Quick Bowel Transit Type
Stress Related Type
Weak Digestion Type
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Comments & Personal Experiences
How does 'malabsorption' affect your quality of life? What aggravates it? What has helped you? Is there something you'd like to know about 'malabsorption'?
What is Joyful Belly?
What is Ayurveda?
Learn about Ayurveda from the author of this article and founder of Joyful Belly,John Immel.
