Can You Take Bile Salts and Vitamin A Together?

May affect absorption

The short answer

Bile salts enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins including Vitamin A. While this can be beneficial, excessive bile salt supplementation may lead to increased Vitamin A uptake beyond intended levels.

How to arrange timing

If taking both bile salts and Vitamin A, be mindful of Vitamin A dosage as bile salts enhance its absorption. Consider reducing Vitamin A dose or separating by 1 hour.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Reboul E. Mechanisms of carotenoid intestinal absorption. Biochimie. 2013;95(5):1023-1032.

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.