Starch.
Starch is a polysaccharide that is normally fully digested in the small intestine and should not be present in the stool.
- The presence of starch in the stool indicates impaired digestion and enzymatic activity, most often due to pancreatic enzyme deficiency or diseases of the intestinal mucosa.
- Starch may appear as intracellular or extracellular inclusions:
- Intracellular starch indicates incomplete food breakdown and slowed digestion.
- Extracellular starch usually indicates impaired intestinal motility or bacterial imbalance.
- The presence of starch is associated with digestive disorders such as chronic pancreatitis, celiac disease, enterocolitis, and other conditions.
Stool starch analysis helps to identify hidden digestive system pathologies and assess the effectiveness of enzyme therapy.