Bile Supplements

What Are Bile Supplements?

Bile is a digestive solution produced and secreted by the liver. It comprises bile salts, phospholipids, cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, electrolytes, ingested compounds, such as proteins, and water. The liver produces roughly 500–600ml of bile every single day, which is meant to aid in the digestion of fats and the elimination of wastes from the body. Lets explore bile supplements for digestive health.

The liver produces bile salts and secretes them into bile, which is then stored temporarily in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion. Bile is then passed from the gallbladder into the duodenum, where it is absorbed throughout the small intestine and, ultimately, returned to the liver via the portal vein. As an integral part of our intestinal homeostasis, bile salts help maintain optimal biliary, liver, and gallbladder function, as well as healthy digestion and nutrient absorption. 

Beyond digestion, research shows that bile salt deficiency can impede hormone production since all hormones are synthesized from protein and fat, and sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, and others) are made from cholesterol. As such, it's important to remember that digestive conditions are not limited to our digestive tract but can, in fact, manifest symptoms throughout the body. Fortunately, bile salt supplements can help.

Benefits of Bile Supplements

• Aids In The Absorption Of Fat-Soluble Nutrients
• Helps Dissolve Gallstones
• Helps The Body Eliminate Wastes, Toxins And Cholesterol
• Promotes Liver Detox
• Stimulates Biliary, Gallbladder and Liver Function
• Supports Sluggish Liver 

Who Needs Bile Supplements?

People who don’t produce enough bile salts because of an existing GI condition or because they have had their gallbladder removed may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, foul-smelling gas, abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, pale-coloured stools, stomach cramps, indigestion, weight loss, and yellowing of the skin. Some may experience chronic inflammation, skin breakouts, and the buildup of fats and toxins inside the body. In all of these instances, a bile salt supplement can help relieve many, if not most, of the symptoms.

Bile Supplement Varieties

Bile salts may be purchased as a standalone supplement featuring a blend of bovine bile acids, ideally in the conjugated form, because they are more soluble at acidic pH levels than their corresponding unconjugated derivatives. Supplements typically come in capsules or tablets, and the potency can vary from 90 to 1000mg and more. 

Bile salts are also sold in combination with bends as part of more broad-spectrum digestive aids. They are often combined with betaine HCL, pepsin, pancreatin, and other enzymes to support protein and carbohydrate digestion and fat emulsification and absorption.

Final Thoughts

While they are generally well tolerated, bile salt supplements can cause symptoms such as diarrhea in certain individuals. In such instances, lower the dose until your body adjusts to the supplement. Occasionally, bile salts may cause constipation, vomiting and stomach pain, which are typically transient in nature, in which case, lower dose and adjust according to symptoms. 

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