Lipid Malabsorption

Lipid malabsorption, resulting in increased lipid (including the fat-soluble vitamins and essential FA) in the feces, a condition known as steatorrhea, can be caused by disturbances in lipid digestion and/orabsorption (Fig. 1). Such disturbances can result from several conditions, including CF (causing poor digestion) and short bowel syndrome (causing decreased absorption).

Figure 1: Possible causes of steatorrhea.

The ability of short- and medium-chain FA to be taken up by enterocytes without the aid of mixed micelles has made them important in medical nutrition therapy for individuals with malabsorption disorders.