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What Is Maldigestion?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 27,185
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Maldigestion is a gastrointestinal complaint characterized by malfunctions with the digestive system which cause it to work improperly. There are a number of reasons why a person might experience maldigestion. Chronic poor digestion can lead to malabsorption, in which people cannot get the nutrients they need from their diet and experience health problems as a result. People with maldigestion and malabsorption disorders may experience problems like weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain and tenderness, excessive farting, fatigue, poor skin, and unhealthy hair and nails.

One reason for maldigestion to occur is a disease process. Diseases of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas can all result in maldigestion because these organs play a role in digestive processes as can conditions like Crohn's disease. Genetic conditions such as enzyme deficiencies can also contribute, with people not producing the enzymes they need to break food down. A common example is lactose intolerance, in which people cannot digest lactose because they don't have the right enzymes. Gluten intolerance is another common example of a maldigestion disorder. Consuming more enzymes can help aid with minor digestion issues. For instance, individuals experiencing indigestion can consume Supergreens, which are often packed full of digestive enzymes, to help improve digestion.

Other things which can be related to this condition include problems with gastric emptying, such as emptying the stomach contents before they are ready to move on to the next stage of digestion, and changes to the structure of the stomach or intestines. Some surgeries can cause maldigestion by removing parts of the large or small bowel or reconstructing the stomach. Sometimes this is actually deliberate, as in the case of weight loss surgery which is intended to limit digestion.

When a patient appears to have this condition, a doctor can order some diagnostic tests to learn more. These can include imaging studies to examine the structure of the intestinal tract, along with challenge tests with various food items which are designed to determine whether or not these foods are associated with the problem. Measures to address an inability to digest food can include changes to the diet and surgery.

It is important to be aware the condition can have a ripple effect. When someone cannot digest wheat, for example, it causes inflammation and irritation which interfere with the absorption of nutrients from foods which can normally be digested. This is why people become ill when they cannot digest particular foods, and it can take weeks or months for digestive tract to recover and begin processing food normally. When people stray from restrictive diets and consume a forbidden food item, they can experience lingering ill effects as a result of the disruption caused by the indigestible food.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments
By Saraq90 — On Aug 13, 2011

@runner101 - The good news is probiotics are in the regular cheap yogurt as well as the expensive advertised version of probiotic added yogurt.

The difference is that the companies that make these yogurts have added special probiotics, which they will claim, have added extra benefit.

I do not know if the added benefit is real, is a big change, or a small change. But I have read that people feel that with so many products coming to market that claim to help our health in one way or another it is believed that it would be difficult for the FDA to fully test the accuracy of what each product is claiming.

So I cannot tell you if yogurt that already has natural probiotics in it versus probiotic added to yogurt is better for your digestion, but I have had a doctor tell me to eat yogurt after I was on a course of antibiotics because he said that the medicine will also wipe out my good bacteria which yogurt helps replace.

Plus yogurt is yummy!

By runner101 — On Aug 12, 2011

I had a friend who was a hairdresser and she was in tune to such things as nutrient absorption which is an important part of what can be affected by maldigestion because she said one of the places it was easiest to see nutrient loss was hair. She thought that a lot of times she could see in people's hair whenever they were stressed out or not feeling well!

I have seen such things as yogurt packed with probiotics supposed to aid your digestion? I plan on continuing trying to stay healthy from hair to toe!

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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