What to eat after a meal to prevent fat absorption

Generally speaking, after meals, consuming foods such as oats, chia seeds, apples, broccoli, and green tea may help block fat absorption. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as Orlistat Capsules, Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets, Acarbose Tablets, Lovastatin Capsules, and Fenofibrate Capsules can also aid in reducing fat absorption. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Foods

1. Oats

Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a type of soluble dietary fiber. After consumption, beta-glucan forms a gel-like substance in the gastrointestinal tract that wraps around some fats, reducing their contact with the intestinal mucosa, thus decreasing fat absorption efficiency.

2. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber. When exposed to water, the dietary fiber expands and forms a gel that can bind with fats in the intestines to form complexes that are difficult to absorb. It also delays gastric emptying, further reducing fat absorption.

3. Apples

Apples contain pectin, a type of soluble dietary fiber that can adsorb fat molecules in the intestines, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream. It also promotes intestinal motility, helping to expel waste bound to fats.

4. Broccoli

Broccoli contains dietary fiber and sulforaphane. Dietary fiber can wrap around fats and reduce their absorption, while sulforaphane regulates the activity of enzymes related to fat metabolism, indirectly reducing the intestine's ability to absorb fat and promoting the breakdown of excess fat.

5. Green Tea

Green tea contains catechins. Drinking green tea after meals can inhibit the activity of lipase, a key enzyme for fat breakdown and absorption. Reduced enzyme activity leads to decreased fat breakdown and absorption.

II. Medications

1. Orlistat Capsules

Orlistat is a specific lipase inhibitor that binds to the active sites of lipase in the gastrointestinal tract, rendering the enzyme inactive. As a result, lipase cannot break down fats in food. Undigested fats are not absorbed by the intestines and are excreted in the feces, thus reducing fat absorption.

2. Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets

Although primarily used for lowering blood sugar, metformin also works by reducing intestinal fat absorption. It inhibits the activity of intestinal lipase, decreasing the rate of fat breakdown, while increasing intestinal motility to accelerate fat excretion, thereby reducing the time fat spends in the intestines.

3. Acarbose Tablets

Acarbose mainly inhibits alpha-glucosidase but also has some effect on fat absorption. It delays carbohydrate breakdown, indirectly reducing the amount of carbohydrates converted into fat, and slightly inhibits intestinal lipase, decreasing fat absorption efficiency.

4. Lovastatin Capsules

Lovastatin belongs to the statin class of drugs. In addition to lowering lipids, it reduces cholesterol absorption in the intestines by inhibiting the activity of intestinal cholesterol absorption proteins, while promoting liver metabolism of cholesterol, further lowering body fat levels.

5. Fenofibrate Capsules

Fenofibrate is a fibrate drug that activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha, regulating the expression of genes related to fat metabolism, reducing the absorption of triglycerides in the intestines, while promoting the breakdown of triglycerides and lowering triglyceride levels in the blood.

In daily life, attention should also be paid to controlling total calorie intake and incorporating appropriate exercise. Medication use must strictly follow a doctor's instructions to avoid self-medication. If gastrointestinal discomfort or other reactions occur, medical attention should be sought promptly to adjust the treatment plan.