What are bile salts?
produced in the liver by specialized cells called hepatocytes, bile salts make up about 10 percent of bile. They are ionized bile acids, which is a form that makes fat more active. Once ionized, the bile salt molecules have a side that is hydrophilic - loving water - and others that are hydrophobic - water hate. This allows molecules to surround the fat droplets in the small intestine and prevent them from closing together and forming large fat globules. If there were no bile salts, the fats would go through the body largely undigested. From there it either flows into the intestines, or are stored in the gallbladder, depending on the stage of the digestive process. If there is no food in the intestines, the bile is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder.
The primary function of bile salts is to emulsify fats in the small intestines. In the same way as detergents, bileSalts break fats from food into smaller particles. They surround each droplet of fat the hydrophobic side towards the fat particle. This effect of breaking fats on small particles increases the total surface surface of the fat to be cleaved. Enzymes that complete their digestion are more available by fat particles.
After using the bile in the intestines, most bile salts are reabsorbed. They are returned to the liver and reworked into new salts. Research has shown that, in addition to helping fat digestion, bile salts can act as hormones. These hormones play a role in cholesterol regulation in points. Other roles of bile salts help with proper digestion and absorption of vitamins soluble in fat-vitamins A, D, E and K.
People who had the gallbladder removed no longer have a place where the bile is stored, concentrated and made available for digestion. The liver still excludes the bile, but without the gallbladder, normal digestive processes may be disturbed. Others occasionally may excess intestinal bile or not enough. AccessoriesBile salts can be used with food that helps to digest healthy fats; Lack of bile can cause constipation.