Difference in Fat, Protein and Carbohydrate Malabsorption

Mal absorption is a disorder characterized by inability of intestines to hold back vital nutrients from diet into blood stream. This disorder may affect macronutrients which include Lipids, Amino acids and glucose or micronutrients which are vitamins and minerals. The process of absorption mainly occurs in small and large intestine and the conditions causing harm to intestine such as trauma, infective process and inflammation hinder the absorption of nutrients. Risk factors are use of antibiotics for long intervals, enzymatic defects, parasitic infiltration and congenital diseases.

Fat Malabsorption

Basic cause of fat mal absorption is enzyme deficiency which degrades fats i.e. lipases. Patient may suffer from diarrhea, bloating, flatulence and greasy stools. It will cause the person to get lean, prone to bleeding, electrolyte disturbances.

Protein Malabsorption

Protein malabsorption is caused by enzyme pepsin deficiency which is mainly secreted in stomach. Most common symptoms are weight loss, anemia, hair and skin changes. It will cause edema, microcytic anaemia, hair loss, and skin diseases and ascites (fluid collection in abdomen).

Carbohydrate Malabsorption

This is caused by absence of amylase enzymes, bacterial over growth and diseases. Symptomology includes bloating and flatulence similar to fat malabsorption but there are no greasy stools. It will cause distended abdomen, diarrhea and weight loss.

Fat VS Protein VS Carbohydrate Malabsorption

Steatorrhea (greasy stools):

Fat malabsorption characteristically shows fatty and bulky stools.

Protein malabsorption does not show this symptom.

Carbohydrate may or may not show this symptom.

Edema (collection of fluid in body tissues):

Fat malabsorption does not cause edema.

Protein malabsorption specifically causes edema.

Carbohydrate malabsorption does not cause edema.

Vitamin deficiency:

Fat malabsorption results in deficiency of fat soluble vitamins i.e. A, D, E and K.

Protein malabsorption does not cause any impact on vitamins absorption.

Carbohydrate malabsorption also does not cause vitamin deficiency.

Bleeding:

Fat malabsorption causes Vitamin K deficiency which results in bleeding.

Protein malabsorption is not associated with bleeding.

Carbohydrate deficiency does not cause bleeding.

Diagnosis:

Fat malabsorption is specifically identified through fecal fat content measurement.

Protein malabsorption show hypo-proteinemia (decreased serum protein level)

Carbohydrate malabsorption has got no specific test.

Treatment:

Fat malabsorption treatment involves replacement of enzymes and treatment of underlying cause e.g. celiac and chron’s disease.

Protein malabsorption is also treated on diagnosing and addressing the condition causing protein malabsorption.

Carbohydrate malabsorption is treated through avoidance of the drugs causing this e.g. antibiotics and symptomatic treatment.

Conclusion

Malabsorption is a multi-factorial disease. Its main causes are enzyme deficiency, celiac and chron’s disease .There is no specific treatment to it. Only supportive treatment is given to patient in case of celiac disease which involves electrolyte and fluid balance, multivitamins administration and use of gluten free diet. But enzymatic deficiency is only corrected through replacement of the deficient enzyme.