ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses selected clinical features of fat malabsorption and mechanisms and presents understanding of the multiplicity of the facets essential for an effective therapeutic intervention. In addition, attention must be paid to the nature of other dietary components accompanying the fat in the meal, which may cause transient fat malabsorption. Before considering the various biochemical, physiological, and anatomical abnormalities leading to fat malabsorption and specific disease symptoms, it is necessary to appreciate the changing nature of dietary fat, which may affect the relative rate and extent of normal fat uptake. Determining the optimal intake of essential fatty acids (EFA) is complicated by the fact that the dietary intake of some nutrients may effect the essential fatty acid requirement. Potential consequences of EFA deficiency include abnormalities of skin morphology and permeability, pulmonary function, digestive function, liver morphology and function, hematopoesis, immunity and infection resistance, reproductive function, and nervous system function.
