Question

Heather is concerned that despite eating a very healthy diet, she feels malnourished. She visits her doctor who concludes that she's having difficulty absorbing the nutrients that she consumes in her diet. Which of the following explanations for nutrient malabsorption is most likely?

Answer 1

Nutrient malabsorption in someone who eats a healthy diet like Heather might be due to celiac disease, which damages microvilli necessary for nutrient absorption and is treated primarily with a gluten-free diet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Heather's experience of feeling malnourished despite eating a healthy diet might be explained by her having celiac disease, which is linked to nutrient malabsorption. Celiac disease causes the body's immune system to react to gluten, damaging the microvilli in the small intestine that are essential for nutrient absorption. Damaged microvilli can lead to a host of symptoms ranging from digestive distress to anemia and osteoporosis. The main treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet, which can limit and even heal intestinal damage, improving nutrient absorption.