What vitamin is absorbed with bile salts in the terminal ileum?

Vitamin B-12 is absorbed in the terminal ileum, and its absorption process specifically relies on the presence of bile salts. Bile salts are crucial for the emulsification and absorption of dietary fats, and they also play a vital role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Vitamin B-12, a water-soluble vitamin, is unique among its group in that it requires intrinsic factor—produced by the stomach—for absorption in the ileum. When B-12 is bound to intrinsic factor, it interacts with specific receptors in the terminal ileum, facilitating its absorption. Furthermore, while bile salts are predominantly associated with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, they are also involved in the absorption of certain water-soluble vitamins, including B-12, as they influence intestinal health and absorption mechanisms.

In contrast, the other vitamins listed do not rely on bile salts for their absorption, as they are absorbed in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract or through different mechanisms. Vitamin B-1 (thiamine) is absorbed in the proximal small intestine, Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is similarly absorbed in the jejunum, and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is mainly absorbed in the intestines through active transport