Bile: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (2024)

Bile is a fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Bile helps with digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acids, which can be taken into the body by the digestive tract.

Bile contains:

  • Mostly cholesterol
  • Bile acids (also called bile salts)
  • Bilirubin (a breakdown product or red blood cells)

It also contains:

  • Water
  • Body salts (such as potassium and sodium)
  • Copper and other metals (attached to proteins)

References

Hall JE, Hall ME. Secretory functions of the alimentary tract. In: Hall JE, Hall ME, eds. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 65.

Radkani P, Hawksworth J, Fishbein T. Biliary system. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2022:chap 55.

Review Date 7/25/2022

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Bile: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if I am producing enough bile? ›

People who don't produce and store enough bile salts, possibly because they've had their gallbladder removed, can experience:
  • diarrhea.
  • trapped gas.
  • bad-smelling gas.
  • stomach cramps.
  • erratic bowel movements.
  • weight loss.
  • pale-colored stools.
Apr 8, 2022

How can I get my bile to flow again? ›

2. EAT FOODS TO IMPROVE BILE FLOW
  1. Organic acids from apple cider vinegar, lemons, and limes.
  2. Bitter herbs such as parsley, cilantro, dandelion, and milk thistle.
  3. Warming spices like ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon.
  4. Prebiotic foods like artichokes, radishes, asparagus, and garlic.
  5. Beets, chicory, and rocket.
Mar 7, 2023

What are the symptoms of not enough bile in the stomach? ›

Symptoms can include nausea, dizziness and fatigue. Bile acid deficiency that leads to fat malabsorption may cause weight loss if you have trouble digesting enough calories. In other cases, bile acid malabsorption causes weight gain.

How to reduce bile acid in the liver? ›

But because many people experience both acid reflux and bile reflux, your symptoms may be eased by lifestyle changes:
  1. Stop smoking. ...
  2. Eat smaller meals. ...
  3. Stay upright after eating. ...
  4. Limit fatty foods. ...
  5. Avoid problem foods and beverages. ...
  6. Limit or avoid alcohol. ...
  7. Lose excess weight. ...
  8. Raise your bed.

Does drinking water help bile production? ›

Bile is mostly water. If you're chronically dehydrated, bile synthesis suffers. Adequate hydration requires two components: water and electrolytes. Both play a role in bile synthesis and flow.

How do you know if your body is not producing bile? ›

Cholestasis is reduction or stoppage of bile flow. Bile is the digestive fluid produced by the liver. Disorders of the liver, bile duct, or pancreas can cause cholestasis. The skin and whites of the eyes look yellow, the skin itches, urine is dark, and stools may become light-colored and smell foul.

How do you unblock bile flow? ›

How do you unblock your bile duct?
  1. ERCP: Your provider may remove gallstones from your bile ducts during an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography). ...
  2. Gallbladder removal surgery: You may need your gallbladder removed if you get frequent gallstones that cause obstructions.

Does coffee increase bile production? ›

Coffee stimulates cholecystokinin release,4 increases gallbladder motility,5 and possibly enhances large bowel motility. Caffeine inhibits biliary cholesterol crystallization,7 decreases gallbladder fluid absorption,8 and increases hepatic bile flow.

What stops bile from coming up? ›

Medications to treat bile reflux include:
  • Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which changes the content of bile in your stomach.
  • Bile acid sequestrants, which bind and disrupt the circulation of bile.
  • Sucralfate, which coats and protects the lining of your stomach and esophagus.

What is the best natural binder for bile? ›

Second, they found that steaming significantly improves the bile acid binding of collards, kale, mustard greens, broccoli, peppers, cabbage, as well as beets, eggplant, asparagus, carrots, green beans, and cauliflower, suggesting steaming vegetables may be more healthful than those consumed raw.

What does lack of bile do to stool? ›

A lack of bile causes white or clay-like stool. That may mean a serious underlying problem.

Is there a bile supplement? ›

Ox bile is sometimes recommended as a supplement for people experiencing a bile deficiency. Ox bile supplements include bile extract powder or salts that are combined with digestive enzymes, and there's some evidence that ox bile supplementation can broadly support digestive health.

What drink helps bile? ›

Water helps the organ empty and keeps bile from building up. This protects against gallstones and other problems. Sipping more also can help you slim down. Research shows people who drink more water eat fewer calories and less sugar.

How do I get rid of bile naturally? ›

Therefore, one way to get rid of bile is to eat more foods that are high in fiber. Furthermore, eating fibrous foods that absorb bile can also help lower blood cholesterol levels by preventing the body from reabsorbing bile. Fruits; Vegetable; Cereals such as oatmeal; Nuts and seeds; Legumes such as lentils and beans.

Do statins reduce bile acid? ›

Statins have also been associated with beneficial effects on markers of cholestasis in patients with cholestaticliver disease. A report described lower cholesterol and serum total bile acid levels in PBC patients after the initiation of pravastatin [12].

What are the symptoms of increased bile production? ›

Symptoms
  • Upper abdominal pain that may be severe.
  • Frequent heartburn — a burning sensation in your chest that sometimes spreads to your throat, along with a sour taste in your mouth.
  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting a greenish-yellow fluid (bile)
  • Occasionally, a cough or hoarseness.
  • Unintended weight loss.

How do you test for low bile? ›

Bile acids can be measured through blood and stool samples. Blood testing is typically indicated for the assessment of liver and gallbladder health.

What causes lack of bile in the stool? ›

A lack of bile in stool. This may indicate a bile duct obstruction. Certain medications, such as large doses of bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol) and other anti-diarrheal drugs. Excess fat in the stool, such as due to a malabsorption disorder, for example, celiac disease.

What are the symptoms of a low functioning gallbladder? ›

Chronic gallbladder disease involves gallstones and mild inflammation. In such cases, the gallbladder may become scarred and stiff. Symptoms of chronic gallbladder disease include complaints of gas, nausea and abdominal discomfort after meals and chronic diarrhea.

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