Compositions comprising monoacylglycerols (MAG), such as sn-1(3) MAG, and further comprising fat-soluble nutrients, such as fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids, are administered to an individual having or at risk of malabsorption having a non-mechanical basis, such as malabsorption associated with chronic liver diseases, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, defective enterocyte functions, lymphatic disorders, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The compositions and the methods of using the compositions enhance absorption of fatty acids and the fat-soluble nutrients to address nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption having a non-mechanical basis.