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

Examples of bile acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Additionally, magnesium attaches to bile acids to prevent damage to the esophagus due to high acidity levels.21 Most antacids use other forms of magnesium, but there is potential for magnesium glycinate to prevent heartburn. Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025 One is that calcium can bind to bile acids in the colon and lower their potentially carcinogenic effects. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2025 This involves medicines that contain bile acids that can break up small stones. Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2024 Lastly, all fibers altered the small-intestinal microbiota and portal bile acid composition. New Atlas, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bile acid 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bile acid was circa 1881

Dictionary Entries Near bile acid

Cite this Entry

“Bile acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bile%20acid. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Medical 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

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