Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ox bile is used primarily as a digestive aid in individuals with a sluggish gallbladder or those who have had their gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy). The scientific rationale is that the gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine to help digest fats. When the gallbladder is dysfunctional or absent, bile flow into the intestine can be reduced or less regulated, potentially leading to impaired fat digestion and symptoms such as steatorrhea (fatty stools), bloating, or nutrient deficiencies. Ox bile supplements contain bile acids that can substitute for the body's own bile, theoretically improving fat digestion.

There is some scientific basis for this practice, but the quality and quantity of evidence are limited. A few small studies and case reports suggest that bile acid supplementation (not always specifically ox bile, but often purified bile salts) may help reduce symptoms in people with bile acid insufficiency after gallbladder removal. However, there is a lack of large-scale, controlled clinical trials directly evaluating ox bile supplementation for this purpose. Most recommendations are extrapolated from physiology and smaller clinical observations, rather than robust, high-quality evidence.

Historically, bile preparations have been used in traditional medicine systems to aid digestion, but modern use is grounded more in biochemical rationale than traditional practice. Overall, scientific support exists but is modest, justifying a moderate evidence rating.

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