Bile acid

Bile acids are potent “digestive surfactants” that promote absorption of lipids (including fat-soluble vitamins), acting as emulsifiers (1,2). Bile acids represent the primary pathway for cholesterol catabolism and account for ∼50% of the daily turnover of cholesterol (1).

What is bile acid malabsorption?

Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is a gastrointestinal disease. It’s a common cause of chronic diarrhea. When bile acids aren’t properly absorbed in your intestines, they build up, upsetting the chemical balance inside. Excess bile acids trigger your colon to secrete extra water, leading to watery stools.

What are bile acids?

Bile is a substance your liver makes while filtering your blood. Your liver sorts waste products, such as toxins, dead blood cells and excess cholesterol into bile. Bile acids come from synthesizing these products together. The different acids in bile help to stabilize the lipids in the mix and keep them in a liquid form.

Your liver sends bile through your bile ducts to your small intestine to help with digestion. Bile acids in your small intestine help break down fats for absorption. When that work is done, they are supposed to be reabsorbed themselves, returning to your circulation and then your liver to be recycled into bile again.