Evidence supporting the use of: Bile acid (unspecified)
For the health condition: Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)

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Synopsis

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

Bile acids (such as ursodeoxycholic acid or purified bile acids) have a scientifically validated role in supporting digestion in individuals with a sluggish gallbladder (biliary dyskinesia) or after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it in response to meals. When the gallbladder is removed, bile produced by the liver flows directly into the intestine but is less concentrated, which can impair fat digestion and absorption, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea or steatorrhea (fatty stools). Supplementing with bile acids can help improve fat digestion and reduce these symptoms.

Clinical studies and gastroenterology guidelines support the use of bile acid supplements (e.g., ox bile, ursodeoxycholic acid) for managing digestive insufficiency after gallbladder removal. Ursodeoxycholic acid, specifically, is also used to prevent gallstone formation in patients with certain conditions and to treat cholestatic liver diseases. The evidence base is strongest for prescription bile acids, with over-the-counter bile salt supplements being less studied but mechanistically plausible. The practice is not merely traditional but is underpinned by decades of research and clinical use, making the evidence rating high, though not absolute, since not all post-cholecystectomy patients require supplementation.

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