Is Your Body Really Absorbing Your Food? Understanding Fat Malabsorption in a Simple, Functional Way
Have you ever noticed bloating, greasy stools, low vitamin D, or unexplained fatigue—even when you’re trying to eat well? Your body might not be absorbing the nutrients you’re giving it, especially fats. And it’s not just about what you eat—it’s about what your body can use.
Your digestive system is designed to break down food, absorb nutrients in the small intestine, and eliminate what’s left. When something in that chain doesn’t work properly—especially during the absorption phase—your body can miss out on essential vitamins, minerals, and fats. This is known as malabsorption.
What Is Fat Malabsorption?
Fats are vital for hormone health, brain function, energy levels, and skin integrity. But if your body can’t absorb fats properly, you may experience symptoms like:
Bloating or abdominal discomfort
Pale, floating, or greasy stools
Low vitamin D levels
Unwanted weight loss or fatigue
This happens when the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or small intestine isn’t doing its job effectively—or if bacteria or inflammation are getting in the way.
Common Causes (That Often Get Missed)
Fat malabsorption can be linked to:
Gallbladder dysfunction or sluggish bile flow
Liver congestion
Pancreatic enzyme deficiency
Celiac or Crohn’s disease
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
Certain medications like Ozempic, Metformin, and birth control
Not eating enough healthy fats (yes—low fat diets can make things worse!)
When bile and digestive enzymes aren’t released properly, fats don’t get broken down and absorbed. The result? You eat, but your cells stay hungry.
How We Test for Malabsorption
At Uptown Integrative Health, we look deeper than standard imaging. Through functional stool testing, nutrient blood panels, and SIBO breath testing, we can uncover how well your body is digesting and absorbing what you eat—and which organs need support.
A Functional Approach to Healing
Instead of masking symptoms, we focus on restoring healthy digestion so your body can do what it's meant to do. This might include:
Supporting bile flow and liver health
Adding digestive enzymes
Nourishing the gut lining
Rebalancing bacteria
Reintroducing healthy fats in a way your body can tolerate
You Don’t Have to Live With Digestive Symptoms
If you’re experiencing bloating, changes in stool, fatigue, or nutrient deficiencies, your gut may be asking for support—and we’re here to help.
At Uptown Integrative Health, we work with you to identify the root cause and create a plan to restore optimal digestion—so you can actually absorb and benefit from the food you eat.
✨ You deserve to feel nourished from the inside out.
Ready to find out what your gut is trying to tell you? Book an appointment and let’s start your healing journey together.
