bile acid
noun
plural bile acids
: any of several steroid acids (such as cholic acid) that occur in bile especially in the form of bile salts, are produced chiefly in the liver from cholesterol, and aid in the intestinal breakdown and absorption of fat
Approximately 500 mg of cholesterol is converted into bile acids each day in the adult human liver.—
David W. Russell
David W. RussellExamples of bile acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So, the team decided to test whether these bile acid metabolites could actually slow tumor growth.
—Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
For example, calcium may protect against colorectal cancer by binding to potentially harmful substances in the gut, like bile acids, preventing them from damaging the gut lining and triggering cancer growth.3
2.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Feb. 2025
These medicines include some anti-seizure medications, bile acid sequestrants, diabetes medications, and tricyclic antidepressants.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
Instead, these bile acids are removed from the body.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bile acid
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Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
For example, calcium may protect against colorectal cancer by binding to potentially harmful substances in the gut, like bile acids, preventing them from damaging the gut lining and triggering cancer growth.3
2.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 28 Feb. 2025
These medicines include some anti-seizure medications, bile acid sequestrants, diabetes medications, and tricyclic antidepressants.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 18 Feb. 2025
Instead, these bile acids are removed from the body.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bile acid
Cite this Entry
“Bile acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bile%20acid. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bile acid
noun
: any of several steroid acids (such as cholic acid) that occur in bile especially in the form of bile salts, are produced chiefly in the liver from cholesterol, and aid in the intestinal breakdown and absorption of fat
In the intestine, bile acids are essential for the absorption, transport, and metabolism of dietary fats and lipid-soluble vitamins.—Li Tiangang and John Y. L. Chiang, Pharmacological Reviews
Li Tiangang and John Y. L. Chiang, Pharmacological ReviewsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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