Poor Digestion Can Lead To Poor Nutrition Absorption

Poor Digestion Can Lead To Poor Nutrition Absorption
It has been well documented that physical disease can lead to weight
loss. Disease may limit dietary intake or may alter physiological
processes, resulting in decreased nutrient digestion or absorption,
increased nutrient excretion, or increased nutrient requirements.

Prescription drugs may interfere with nutrient absorption,
digestion, metabolism, utilization, or excretion. Similarly, both
nutritional status and diet can affect the action of drugs by altering
their metabolism and function, and various dietary components can have
pharmacologic activity under certain circumstances.

Drugs may act centrally or peripherally to decrease appetite or may
reduce appetite as a result of side effects. Drugs that act centrally
include catecholaminergics, dopaminergics such as levodopa for
Parkinson's disease, serotoninergics, and endorphin modulators such as
naloxone. Peripherally acting agents include those that inhibit gastric
emptying, and bulking agents.

The emetic centre, located in the brain stem, is easily stimulated
by the action of many drugs. Almost all drugs have the potential to
alter gastrointestinal function, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
and constipation. Any drug causing nausea, especially alcohol, can
decrease appetite. For instance, it has been well documented that
digitalis toxicity leads to anorexia, nausea, weight loss, and wasting.
Narcotics, analgesics, and clofibrate are also commonly associated with
nausea and vomiting. Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs such as methotrexate
have a strong anoretic effect and can cause gastroenterologic toxicity.

In addition, drugs may alter nutritional status, which in turn can
result in anorexia and weight loss. High doses of aluminum or magnesium
hydroxide antacids can cause phosphate depletion, leading to muscle
weakness, anorexia, and even congestive heart failure. Thiazide and
furosemide diuretics can cause sodium, potassium, and magnesium
depletion, resulting in anorexia and muscle weakness. Commonly used
folate antagonists include methotrexate, a cancer chemotherapeutic
agent; triamterene, a diuretic; trimethoprim, an antibacterial agent;
phenytoin, an anticonvulsant; and sulphasalazine, an anti-inflammatory
agent. Sulphasalazine and phenytoin are competitive inhibitors of
folate transport in addition to being folate antagonists. Folate
deficiency can lead to weight loss and anorexia. Penicillamine induces
zinc depletion, which may cause a loss of taste acuity and possibly
decreased food intake. Alcohol abuse also commonly results in
deficiencies of thiamin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin A, and zinc.
[Fischer, J., and Johnson, M.A. Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens,
Georgia.]

Cancer is the most frequently cited cause of involuntary weight
loss, and weight loss may occur during early stages of tumour growth
before other symptoms emerge. The anorexia of malignancy has been
related to taste alterations; changes in gastrointestinal tract
contraction and secretion; metabolic disturbances resulting in changes
of circulating glucose, amino acid, fatty acid, or lactic acid levels;
changes in hypothalamic function; and weakness leading to decreased
motor activity.

Cancer patients frequently have problems getting enough nutrition.
Malnutrition is a major cause of illness and death in cancer patients.
Malnutrition occurs when too little food is eaten to continue the
body's functions. Progressive wasting, weakness, exhaustion, lower
resistance to infection, problems tolerating cancer therapy, and
finally, death may result.

Many malnutrition problems are caused directly by the tumor. Tumors
growing in the stomach, esophagus, or intestines can cause blockage,
nausea and vomiting, poor digestion, slow movement through the
digestive system, or poor absorption of nutrients. Cancer of the
ovaries or genital and urinary organs can cause ascites (excess fluid
in the abdomen), leading to feelings of early fullness, worsening
malnutrition, or fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Pain caused by the
tumor can result in severe anorexia and a decrease in the amount of
foods and liquids consumed. Central nervous system tumors (such as
brain cancer) can cause confusion or sleepiness; patients may lose
interest in food or forget to eat.

Changes in the body's metabolism can also cause nutritional
problems. Tumor cells often convert nutrients to energy in different,
less efficient ways than do other cells.

Tumors may produce chemicals or other products that can cause
anorexia and cachexia. For example, tumors can produce a substance that
changes a person's sense of taste, so that the patient does not want to
eat. Tumors can affect the receptors in the brain that tell the stomach
if it is full. Tumors can also produce hormone substances, which can
change the amount of nutrients eaten, the way they are absorbed, and
the way they are used by the body.

Manganese is necessary for the use of biotin, B1 and C, by the body.
It can help eliminate fatigue, improve memory, reduce nervous
irritability and assure the proper digestion and utilization of food. A
deficiency can cause poor reproductive performance, growth retardation,
abnormal formation of bone and cartilage, and an impaired glucose
tolerance.

The
nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional supplements
that may help the condition. Please do remember however that
nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and in
no way replaces medical treatment.