Malabsorption of fats...

The liver synthesizes bile. It packages up old hormones and toxins that need to leave the body in the bile. Then it ships the bile to the gallbladder.

The gallbladder stores bile and secretes it into the small intestine when we eat a meal with fat. The bile breaks down the fat, so we can absorb it, and then the toxins in the bile exit the body with the feces.

The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine. Some of these enzymes, called lipolytic enzymes, further break down the fat and allow us to absorb it.

Symptoms of fat malabsorption:

• Greasy, smelly, light-colored and/or floating stools
• Gas and belching after meals
• Very dry skin (indicates fat isn’t being absorbed or not enough is being consumed)
• Gallbladder pain (right side, under ribs)
• Gallstones
• Nausea after eating
• Hormone imbalances, because fat is necessary to synthesize new hormones and eliminate old hormones

Bile: The key in fat malabsorption

When it comes to fat malabsorption, the first step includes supporting healthy bile production and secretion. When we experience fat malabsorption, it means that the bile in the gallbladder is thick and sticky. The gallbladder tries to squeeze it out, but it can’t. In a vicious cycle, toxins and old hormones are re-absorbed because the bile isn’t leaving the body.

The main factor that causes poor bile quality is a low fat diet. The presence of fats in a meal signals the gallbladder to release bile into the digestive tract, and the bile emulsifies the fat so we can absorb it.

What happens when we only have a few measly grams of fats in our meal? Bile release isn’t signaled, so bile sits in the gallbladder, turning thick and viscous. Then, if we do eat a meal heavy in fat, the gallbladder can’t squeeze out the thick bile and the fat passes through our digestive tract undigested and unused for critical tasks in the body.

Are you ready to improve your fat digestion? Here are 8 ways to correct fat malabsorption 

1. Gradually increase the good fats

Quickly switching from low fat to a higher fat diet will temporarily cause fat malabsoprtion. This results because the bile will be thick and stagnant due to the low fat diet. For some individuals, the symptoms are slight and resolve quickly. For others, this transition causes severe symptoms of fat malabsorption.

Don’t go from 20 grams of fat per day to 80 grams of fat the next day. Gradually increase your consumption of healthy fats over a period of weeks. Healthful fats include traditional, unprocessed fats such as:

• Butter, preferably from grassfed cows
• Ghee, preferably from grassfed cows
  
• Pure olive oil
• Avocados and avocado oil
• Whole nuts and seeds, in moderation
• Cold-pressed nut and seeds, in small amounts
• Pastured whole eggs
• Meats and whole-fat dairy from grass-fed, pasture raised animals

Highly processed, non-traditional fats such as canola oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil and grapeseed oil exacerbate liver congestion and should be avoided.

Wait, isn’t canola oil heart healthy? And doesn’t the cholesterol in butter clog arteries? Nope, you’ve got your fats mixed up! We know from study after study, as well as the dietary patterns of traditional cultures, that unprocessed fats support all aspects of health.

2. Include coconut oil in your diet

Coconut oil, one of the most healthful foods ever, consists primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Coconut oil fights candida, boosts the metabolism, fuels weight loss, and supports skin health.Because of the fatty acid composition, coconut oil is absorbed without bile. 

This is a good and bad thing. If you struggle with fat malabsorption, you will likely be able to absorb at least some of the fat from coconut oil. But because it doesn’t stimulate bile, you should consume it in addition to sources of animal fats.

3. Supplement with ox bile to improve fat malabsorption

Ox bile is what the name implies – bile from oxen. Because it is so similar to human bile, it works by breaking down fats in your digestive tract. As a “band-aidsupplement,” it improves bile quality so you can digest fats better in the long run.

Take 1-5 tablets of ox bile, with each meal. Use it for 2 weeks and up to 2-3 months. After 2-3 months, take a break from it for at least a couple of months, otherwise your body can get reliant on it and stop producing its own bile.

If you have had your gallbladder removed, then you need a permanent bile replacement to digest your fats. In that case, most natural health practitioners recommend taking ox bile with each meal.

4. Say Goodbye to “Healthy Whole Grains”

When we lack an healthy digestive system, as in the case of fat malabsorption, grain consumption causes problems. “Healthy whole grains” like fiber cereals, whole wheat breads and pastas contain numerous anti-nutrients that only stresses the body.

Grains fuel a vicious cycle called carbohydrate malabsorption. This wears down the filaments in the small intestine, called microvilli, that are responsible for absorbing our food. As the microvilli become damaged, it leads to a syndrome called Leaky Gut when the tight junctions between intestinal cells loosen. This allows undigested food to leak from the small intestine into the blood stream, causing inflammation and food allergies.

5. Use good Essential Oil

When I struggled fat malabsorption, I saw improvement within a week of using Vibrant Blue Essential Oil Blends. These pristine essential oil blends match the frequency of a healthy organ to help bring that damaged organ into balance. Since the benefits of essential oils are absorbed transdermally, I recommend using oils as part of therapy when digestion is damaged – such as the case of fat malabsorption.

The Gallbladder Flow™ blend  is designed to improve the viscosity of the bile. The first time I applied it, I immediately felt faint gurgling in my gallbladder! For best results, use it twice per day for at least two weeks  (learn how to apply it here). The bottle goes a long way, you only need a drop at a time. Also, it also works if you open it under your nose and inhale for 3-4 breaths.

Another complimentary oil from Vibrant Blue Oils is the Pancreatone™ Blend. It supports the pancreas and the production of pancreatic enzymes, including the lipolytic enzymes that digest fat. A diet high in refined carbs exhausts the pancreas, so it can’t keep up with producing enzymes. Like the Gallbladder Flow™, you can apply it topically or inhale it.

6. Enjoy fermented foods to help fat malabsorption

Naturally fermented foods pack a potent dose of probiotics, those friendly bugs that help restore balance in the digestive tract. Additionally, the enzymatic activity in the raw foods drastically increases during the fermentation process. These active enzymes support pancreatic health and improve digestion.

Low-fat, sugar-laden yogurts may claim “a rich source of probiotics” but don’t buy into this marketing hype. These highly-processed options pale in comparison to slowly fermented dairy and vegetables. Better options include making your own fermented veggies and dairy products.

Alternatively, you’ll find healthful options at your health food store. Look for naturally fermented sauerkraut and pickles, in the refrigerated section. Grassfed, full-fat yogurt and kefir also provide nutrient-dense options.

7. Supplement with pancrealipase for fat malabsorption

Pancrealipase is a pancreatic enzyme that helps digest fat. I use the supplement Beta-TCP, in my Nutritional Therapy practice. It contains porcine-derived pancrealipase and this supplement makes a wonderful “transition supplement” to improve fat malabsorption. It can be taken alone or in conjunction with ox bile.

A general recommendation is 1-6 tablets with each meal, for a period of 1-3 months. After 2-3 months, take a break because your body can become reliant on the enzymes and get lazy with its own enzyme production. You can also take 1-6 tablets right before bed, to support liver health. As always, I recommend working with an experienced health practitioner when taking various dietary supplements.

For best results, chew the Beta-TCP tablets instead of swallowing them whole. They taste, um, not so good. But you can do it! When I used this supplement, I would chew them while holding my breath, swallow, chase with a sip of water, and then breathe. This helps 

8. Improve overall digestion with hydrochloric acid

The stomach is supposed to be an acid tank. A very acidic stomach digests food and triggers the chain reaction of digestion. When the stomach isn’t producing enough acid, pancreatic enzymes and other digestive secretions are not signaled. 

source: Empowered Sustenance 

helpful links: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/malabsorption