PrevWhat is malabsorption syndrome?
The term malabsorption syndrome generally describes various disorders which impede the ability of the small intestines to absorb nutrients. When symptoms of malabsorption are not the result of an underlying illness, it is generally due to either inflammation or injury to the intestinal lining.
The small bowel’s primary job is to absorb vitamins from the food you eat. So gastrointestinal problems or diseases can interfere with your body’s vitamin absorption. Proper absorption in the intestines is essential to a healthy body because it’s the intestines that allow nutrients passing through the digestive system to enter the bloodstream.
Without a properly functioning digestive system, all those healthy, nutrient-rich foods you’re eating are practically useless. And because oral vitamins also have to pass through the stomach and intestines, they aren’t a viable solution to absorption-related malnutrition.
Luckily, here at IV Vitamin Therapy in Beverly Hill, we offer vitamin supplements that bypass the digestive system entirely, allowing your body to fully absorb the nutrients it needs for general health and wellness.
Causes of vitamin malabsorption
Most causes of malabsorption are medical conditions or rare diseases, including:
- Crohn’s disease
- celiac disease
- pancreatic insufficiency (e.g. cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer, or chronic pancreatitis)
- inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- ulcerative colitis
- short bowel syndrome
- tropical sprue
- Whipple’s disease
Symptoms of nutrient malabsorption
The symptoms of malabsorption will vary depending on the nutrients your body isn’t properly absorbing.
Fat malabsorption
The gallbladder releases bile acid to help your body break down and absorb fats in your food. Lack of bile can be caused by gallbladder or liver diseases. Bacterial overgrowth can also cause problems with your bile salts, which then limits fat absorption.
The primary symptom of fat malabsorption is steatorrhea – soft, bulky, foul-smelling stool with a high fat content. Unabsorbed fats can also trap fat-soluble vitamins, potentially causing a deficiency.
Protein malabsorption
Proteins begin digestion in the stomach. Malabsorption of proteins often results in chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, and unintended weight loss.
Carbohydrate malabsorption
Pancreatic enzymes break down carbohydrates for absorption. Unabsorbed carbohydrates are broken down into gases and fatty acids in the large intestine. Maldigestion of carbs results in diarrhea and bloating as extra fatty acids and gases are released in the intestines.
Dysfunction of the pancreas can obviously result in carbohydrate malabsorption, but the most common causes are lactose intolerance and fructose intolerance (sugars are carbs too!).
What are malabsorption syndrome treatment options?
Treatment for your nutrient malabsorption will depend on the cause. Your healthcare provider can do preliminary tests (such as a hydrogen breath test or blood tests) and can refer you to the gastroenterology department for an endoscopy, biopsy, or more tests if necessary.
But your body may never be able to fully absorb nutrients properly. Vitamin deficiencies are detrimental not only to your health but also your comfort and overall quality of life. For this reason, IV vitamin injections and infusions are available to restore your body’s vitamin levels.
What is IV vitamin therapy?
If you’re deficient in one or multiple vitamins, IV vitamin therapy is the easiest way to restore vitamin levels. We can perform blood tests to check for vitamin deficiencies and then craft a custom vitamin cocktail from high-quality nutrient supplements. After a small needle prick, the vitamins begin flowing directly into your bloodstream.
IV drip therapy is especially useful for patients with malabsorption syndrome as the vitamins bypass the malfunctioning digestive system and get the vitamins directly into your system.
What are the best vitamins for malabsorption?
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach at IV Vitamin Therapy; the best vitamins for you will depend on your body’s needs. But your vitamin drip therapy may include a combination of the following:
Glutathione
One vitamin commonly prescribed to those with malabsorption is glutathione. Glutathione is not just a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off harmful free radicals in the blood, it also works as an anti-inflammatory which could reduce inflammation in the intestines.
Vitamin A
Deficiency in vitamin A may cause night blindness. Vitamin A is also important for healthy immune system function.
Vitamin B
The B-family vitamins are essential in almost every function of the human body. Folate (B9) and vitamin B12 deficiency both contribute to megaloblastic anemia. B vitamins are found in grains, so people who can’t eat gluten are often deficient.
Vitamin C
A powerful anti-oxidant and a key part of immune function, vitamin C deficiency can have many unpleasant side effects.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for mood and brain function as well as calcium absorption.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K deficiency can lead to thin blood and excessive bleeding.
Iron
Iron deficiency can also result in anemia.
Myers’ Cocktail
Because a person with malabsorption isn’t getting all of the nutrients the body needs, you may benefit from a Myers’ cocktail. A popular blend of vitamins including several from the B complex of vitamins (to help the body convert food into fuel), calcium (for healthy bones, regular heartbeat, and properly functioning muscles), vitamin C (for a healthy immune system, healthy tissue, blood, and skin), and magnesium (for healthy kidneys, muscles, and a healthy heart).
Why choose IV Vitamin Therapy for vitamin infusion?
IV Vitamin Therapy is in an upscale boutique-style medical office in Beverly Hills with plenty of available street parking. After consulting with a physician, you will be prescribed a single nutrient or a nutrient cocktail, depending on your health history and goals.
IV Vitamin Therapy offers IV treatments as well as glutathione injections. Our offices are modern, comfortable environments and the perfect place to receive IV vitamin therapy.
We also offer a concierge house call service for patients who would prefer to receive IV vitamin therapy in the comfort of their own home or office.
No matter where your therapy session takes place, sessions can be expected to last anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, and patients receiving an IV injection are awake and aware the entire time. Many patients choose to use this time to catch up on work via phone or laptop, or simply to relax with a book or watch some television. IV Vitamin Therapy is a professional medical provider with an experienced and helpful staff.
The nutrients that we offer by IV drip are made from some of the finest medical-grade ingredients available.
Vitamin drip near me
We serve patients near Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Silverlake, Echo Park, and many more.
Book now at 877-760-3564 or make an appointment online.
