Coefficient of fat absorption (CFA)

The coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) is how much fat a person absorbs from their food into their body. It is written as a percentage.

The coefficient of fat absorption, or CFA, is how much fat that someone absorbs from the total amount of fat in what they eat. A normal CFA is about 90%.

Some people with cystic fibrosis have lower than normal levels of pancreatic enzymes that break down fat from the food they eat. These people can have a CFA below 85%. By taking replacement enzymes that help them digest fat , they can increase their CFA to 85% or more. To measure CFA, a person tracks what they eat. The amount of fat in their food is calculated. The amount of fat they did not absorbs is then measured in their stool (poo).

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