- Bile acids play a key role in the absorption of lipids in the small intestine.
- Contribute to cholesterol metabolism by promoting the excretion of cholesterol.
- Denature dietary proteins, thereby accelerating their breakdown by pancreatic proteases.
- Direct and indirect antimicrobial effects. In this capacity, recent evidence suggests bile acids are mediators of high-fat diet-induced changes in the gut microbiota.
- Act as signaling molecules outside of the gastrointestinal tract.
The
primary bile acids—cholic acid and cheno-deoxycholic acid—are synthesized from
cholesterol in the liver.
The
maximal rate of bile acid synthesis is on the order of 4 to 6 g/day.
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