Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bile supplements, often in the form of ox bile extract, are used to support digestion in individuals with a sluggish gallbladder (biliary insufficiency) or after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). The rationale is that the gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it in response to fatty meals. After removal, bile flows continuously and less efficiently, which can impair fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Scientific literature, including reviews and case reports, supports that some individuals experience steatorrhea (fatty stools), bloating, and nutritional deficiencies post-cholecystectomy, and that bile acid supplementation can mitigate these symptoms (World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009; Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2014). Bile acid therapy (such as ursodeoxycholic acid) is also used in specific cholestatic liver diseases, but standard bile extract is less well studied. The overall evidence for routine supplementation is moderate: while clinical experience and some studies report symptomatic benefit, there is a lack of large randomized controlled trials specifically on bile extract for post-cholecystectomy digestive symptoms. Therefore, while not universally recommended, bile supplementation is scientifically plausible and has some supporting evidence, especially for patients with ongoing digestive complaints after gallbladder removal.

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