A patient lacking bile production would suffer from deficiency in absorption of ______.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) fat-soluble vitamins

Explanation:

• Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
• It plays a crucial role in the emulsification of fats, breaking them into smaller droplets for better enzymatic digestion by lipase.
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are absorbed along with dietary fats.
• Without bile, fats and fat-soluble vitamins cannot be properly absorbed in the small intestine.
• This can lead to deficiencies in these essential vitamins, affecting vision, bone health, blood clotting, and antioxidant functions.

Information Booster:

• Bile salts help in forming micelles, which are essential for transporting fat and fat-soluble vitamins across the intestinal wall.
• Conditions like bile duct obstruction, liver disease, or gallbladder removal can impair bile production or flow.
• Deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins can lead to:
• Vitamin A: Night blindness
• Vitamin D: Rickets or osteomalacia
• Vitamin E: Neuromuscular problems
• Vitamin K: Blood clotting disorders
• Bile also aids in the excretion of bilirubin and cholesterol, playing a role in detoxification.

Additional Information:

• Option (a) water, (b) glucose, and (c) amino acids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and do not require bile for their absorption.
• These nutrients are digested and absorbed efficiently even in the absence of bile, mainly in the small intestine.