Noticing fat in your stool could be worrisome. Most times, it is also foul-smelling, oily, and bulky. It is medically referred to as steatorrhea.
What Causes Fat in Stool?
When digested food enters your small intestines, it has to be small enough to be absorbed into your body. In order to make it across, enzymes must ensure the food is properly broken down.
If fats from food are not broken down properly, they will not be absorbed and instead will continue into your large intestines.
They will then be released in feces along with other substances that cannot be digested by your body. This is generally referred to as malabsorption. Here are some possible reasons why fat may be present in stool:
1. Whole nuts
Eating too many whole nuts, especially with the skin and shell, can lead to incomplete digestion. This is because nuts with their skin and shells have high-fat content and if it is not well digested, the excess fats will appear in stool.
2. Lactose Intolerance
This occurs when a person is deficient in Lactase, an enzyme that helps to break down lactose- the sugar in milk. This can lead to problems with fat absorption.
3. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
When the pancreas has a problem producing digestive enzymes like pancreatic lipase, fats will not be easily broken down. Pancreatic inflammation or damage, cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer increase the risk of this condition.
4. Low Bile Production
Bile works to emulsify fats in your food to help with its digestion. Problems with bile production or secretion lead to steatorrhea. Some examples include the inability of the liver to synthesize bile or a blocked bile duct.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This refers to two conditions that affect can the intestines- Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These can damage the surface of the small intestine and affect the absorption of fat.
6. Diet Pills
Diet pills can get in the way of fat absorption if they block the digestion of fats. As such, the undigested fat is excreted in the stool.
Diagnosis
If you notice fat in your stool, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor. Here are some associated symptoms:
- Bulky poop that is difficult to flush
- Pale yellow-colored stools
- Oily stool texture
- Foul-smelling stool
- Floating feces
- Drops of oil in the toilet
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Flatulence
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
Your doctor will ask some questions to try to identify why exactly there is an increased fat level in your stool. You’ll also be examined with some focus on your abdomen. Thereafter, some tests may be requested that could include:
- Full Blood Count
- Stool microscopy, culture, and sensitivity
- Stool lipids
- Abdominal ultrasound
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
The treatment is usually targeted at the underlying cause. After making a diagnosis, your doctor will work out a treatment plan based on his or her findings.
Here are some tips to help you improve your symptoms.
1. Hydration
Staying hydrated may help you reduce the risk of fatty stool. It is recommended to drink enough water every day.
2. A Good Diet
If you already know some meals give you a bloated feeling and bowel problems, you can try to adjust your diet and avoid such foods. For instance, people with lactose intolerance should be cautious about taking dairy products.
3. Eating Good Fats
The type of fats you ingest will have a real impact on fat absorption. Concentrate on eating healthy sources of fats such as avocado, eggs, fish, coconut oil, and stay away from processed fats.
4. Limit Alcohol and Cigarette smoking
Excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking can affect your pancreas. The pancreas is essential for the digestion of fats. Hence, reducing or stopping their intake is beneficial.
5. Nutritional supplements
Malabsorption of fats affects the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Supplements containing vitamins A, D, E, K as well as iron, folic acid, magnesium, and calcium are recommended for people affected. Always discuss with your doctor before starting any supplement.
6. Medical Treatment
In moderate to severe cases, medical intervention is needed. Intravenous fluids are used for hydration and to restore electrolyte balance when there’s associated diarrhea.
Surgery might be necessary for a blocked bile duct.
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