Digestibility

The digestibility test, performed by the biochemical laboratory IntroLab in Belgrade, assesses the function of the liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract. This test provides information on the body’s ability to digest carbohydrates, proteins, and fats by examining a stool sample. It offers crucial insights into digestive health and the proper functioning of metabolism.

When is the digestibility test recommended?

This test is used to monitor the efficiency of digestion in conditions that may cause nutrient malabsorption.

What does a negative or positive result indicate?

Negative result indicates good digestibility of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, while positive result indicates poor digestibility of these nutrients.

Presence of undigested starch may indicate pancreatic dysfunction, rapid food transit through the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea), and catarrhal inflammation of the intestinal mucosa with dyspepsia.

Presence of undigested fats may suggest idiopathic steatorrhea, hepatobiliary obstruction, or pancreatic steatorrhea.

Positive test for undigested proteins typically indicates severe bleeding and exudation (such as in cancer or inflammatory bowel disease with ulcers).

Preparation for the digestibility test

To ensure standard conditions for examining digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, a Schmidt and Strasburger diet is followed for 3 days before the test.

The diet consists of the following meals:

• Breakfast: Half a liter of milk/cocoa, one roll with a small amount of butter, and one soft-boiled egg.
• Mid-Morning Snack: 40 g of oatmeal cooked in 300 mL of water and 25 mL of milk.
• Lunch: 125 g of lean beef, ground and cooked in 30 g of butter until pink inside, served with 150 g of mashed boiled potatoes.
• Afternoon Snack: Same as the mid-morning snack.
• Dinner: Same as breakfast.