core four method, phase 1: Bile

It may not be an intake problem. It may be a utilization problem.

Enter: bile.

When clients present with nutrient deficiencies, gut overgrowth, anxiety, bloating, or sluggish motility, the first question is often: “What are we missing?” But the better question might be: “Are we actually breaking down and absorbing what we’re already eating?” Bile is one of the most overlooked regulators of digestion and hormone balance. When bile flow is sluggish, absorption of fat-soluble nutrients may be compromised:

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

These nutrients influence immune function, mood regulation, metabolic signaling, skin health, and reproductive hormones.

Bile also plays a key role in hormone clearance. The liver metabolizes hormones like estrogen, packages them into bile, and delivers them to the intestine for elimination. When bile flow or bowel motility is impaired, hormones may recirculate, contributing to PMS, bloating, skin issues, and inflammatory patterns.

Bile also influences gut health.

“Recent research activities show that bile acids act as regulators of the gut microbiome and play a key role as signalling molecules by modulating cell proliferation, gene expression, and lipid and glucose metabolism.” (Naumann, S., et. al, 2020)

Bile has natural antimicrobial properties. Inadequate bile flow may contribute to small intestinal bacterial imbalance and persistent bloating.

Bile can even impact fullness and GLP-1 production, leading to improvements in metabolic health. (Kuhre, et. al., 2018)

Earlier in my career, I often started with targeted micronutrients to “get systems moving.” For some clients, that works. But over time, I began asking a different question: What if we improved digestive signaling first, so supplements become supportive, not compensatory?

Now, I often begin with foundational physiology: Phase 1: Restore stomach acid, bile flow, motility, and gut-brain signaling. Phase 2: Personalize mineral balancing. Phase 3: Target deeper imbalances only if needed.

Sometimes progress doesn’t require more inputs. It requires restoring flow.

Inside The Cour Four Method, you’ll learn my foundational strategy for supporting digestion. Before fancy tests. Before extreme diets. Make sure you’re actually supporting the gut-liver axis.

References:

Kuhre RE, et al. Bile acids are important direct and indirect regulators of the secretion of appetite- and metabolism-regulating hormones from the gut and pancreas. Mol Metab. (2018) May;11:84-95. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2018.03.007. Epub 2018 Mar 17. PMID: 29656109; PMCID: PMC6001409.

Naumann, S., Haller, D., Eisner, P., & Schweiggert-Weisz, U. (2020). Mechanisms of Interactions between Bile Acids and Plant Compounds—A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(18), 6495. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186495