Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, and its use in supporting the small intestine is primarily justified by scientific evidence. Bile plays a critical physiological role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) within the small intestine. Upon ingestion of fatty foods, bile is released into the duodenum where its bile acids emulsify fats, increasing their surface area and making them more accessible to digestive enzymes such as pancreatic lipase.

Multiple studies and textbooks in human physiology confirm that without bile, fat digestion and absorption are significantly impaired, leading to malabsorption syndromes and steatorrhea (fatty stools) (Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th edition). Clinical observations in patients with bile duct obstruction or after surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) further support the necessity of bile for normal small intestine function. Supplemental bile salts or ox bile are sometimes used therapeutically in patients with bile insufficiency to aid digestion, though routine supplementation in people with normal bile production is not broadly supported.

Thus, the link between bile and small intestine function is well-established by scientific research, earning it a high evidence rating for supporting this body system.

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