5.4 Small Intestinal Absorption

Small-intestinal absorption is the intestinal uptake stage after gastric release, bile salt dispersion, and pancreatic enzyme processing. It determines whether processed fat can enter transport pathways.

Absorption is not identical to digestion. Absorption depends on prior processing state and upstream food structure.

Unstable absorption may affect downstream output patterns and Fat Processing Rate. This page defines structure only—no treatment claims.

Dispersion and enzyme products presented to the mucosa.

From gastric residence and food structure.

Absorption must keep pace with overall rate.

Post-absorption handoff to transport layer.

upstream food structure

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digestion steps (release, dispersion, enzymes)

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small-intestinal absorption

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lymphatic transport

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fatty acid oxidation pathway and observable outputs

Loose stool, sebum-related signals, or palatability feedback may indicate absorption-processing mismatch. Outputs are backtrace entry points, not root causes.