# What Are Signs of Poor Bile Flow? Bile, Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Nutrient Absorption

> Learn how poor bile flow blocks fat soluble vitamin absorption and why stomach acid, bile and gut lining health all affect how much of your food you actually absorb.

- Source: https://gutfix.ai/blog/signs-of-poor-bile-flow
- Author: Kieran, GutFix co-founder (https://gutfix.ai/about)
- Published: 2026-07-10
- Category: Bile Flow, Stomach Acid
- Reading time: 2 min

Poor bile flow means your body cannot properly absorb fat soluble vitamins, and as Kieran puts it, it's really insane how many people aren't getting the MAJORITY of vitamins and minerals out of their foods. Like 90% of the bodybuilding community is leaving their nutrients in their stools.

## Key takeaways

- Fat soluble vit A,D, E and K all require adequate bile to absorb.
- Like 90% of the bodybuilding community is leaving their nutrients in their stools.
- The food you eat literally means nothing if your body cannot get anything out of it.

## Where Does Nutrient Absorption Go Wrong?

Here's where things go wrong most and what to do:

- Iron and B12 absorption require adequate [stomach acid](https://gutfix.ai/blog/signs-of-poor-bile-flow), almost every bodybuilder I've spoke to is stuffing down protein and having it sit like a brick for hours due to low stomach acid.
- Fat soluble vit A,D, E and K all require adequate bile to absorb. Now this isn't really possible without adequate stomach acid, but if that's excluded as a factor then bitters, TUDCA and ox bile can help.
- Gut lining health can effect absorption as well as the secretions above, maintaining it's health can lead to a massive difference in your overall absorption.

## Why Does Nutrient Absorption Matter More Than Diet?

The food you eat literally means nothing if your body cannot get anything out of it,

Optimise the efficiency of an engine before throwing more fuel in.

You already spend enough on food, make sure you're getting the most of it.

## Frequently asked questions

### What percentage of bodybuilders are losing nutrients in their stools?

Like 90% of the bodybuilding community is leaving their nutrients in their stools.

### What vitamins require bile to absorb?

Fat soluble vit A,D, E and K all require adequate bile to absorb.

### What can help with bile flow if stomach acid isn't the issue?

Now this isn't really possible without adequate stomach acid, but if that's excluded as a factor then bitters, TUDCA and ox bile can help.

### Why do bodybuilders struggle with iron and B12 absorption?

Iron and B12 absorption require adequate stomach acid, almost every bodybuilder I've spoke to is stuffing down protein and having it sit like a brick for hours due to low stomach acid.

### Does gut lining health affect nutrient absorption?

Gut lining health can effect absorption as well as the secretions above, maintaining it's health can lead to a massive difference in your overall absorption.

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