Yellow stool is often normal, varying due to diet. However, certain factors can cause it. A yellow, greasy, foul-smelling stool may indicate that your body isn't properly digesting fat, a condition potentially related to issues with fat absorption. This is also sometimes referred to as steatorrhea (excess fat in the stool).
Causes of Yellow Stool
Several factors can influence stool color, including:
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Diet: Changes in diet significantly affect stool color. Eating a lot of yellow vegetables can temporarily make your stool more yellow. WebMD highlights this as a common reason.
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Bile Production and Flow: Stool's brown color comes from a balance of bilirubin and bile, a yellow-green fluid that helps digest fats. Conditions affecting bile production or flow can lead to pale or bright yellow stools. Medical News Today explains this crucial role of bile.
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Fat Malabsorption: If your body isn't absorbing fats properly, excess fat ends up in the stool, making it greasy, pale, and foul-smelling. This could be a sign of underlying digestive issues. This is pointed out in several sources including Healthline and Cleveland Clinic. Zoe also explains the role of bile salts in fat absorption.
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Liver and Gallbladder Problems: Conditions impacting the liver or gallbladder, which are involved in bile production and release, can lead to changes in stool color. HealthCentral notes that pale yellow stool can be a result of bile flow blockage.
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Infections: Infections, such as bacterial, viral, or parasitic, can cause yellow, foamy stools due to gas formation in the digestive tract. MedicineNet discusses this factor. Tua Saúde also mentions that yellow diarrhea can result from stool passing too quickly, reducing fat absorption.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While temporary changes in stool color due to diet are normal, consistently yellow, greasy, or foul-smelling stools warrant a doctor's visit to rule out any underlying health conditions.
