What Is Bile?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
8. Maintains Intestinal Homeostasis
The gut is a complex ecosystem that consists of numerous species of bacteria that aid in digestion and absorption of complex food components. However, it is necessary that the colonization of these bacteria is controlled because an overgrowth may lead to the bacteria competing with the host for nutrients.
Bile salts contained in bile are responsible for this control. They achieve this by controlling the size and the composition of intestinal microbiota colonies. Moreover, bile salts also act as antibacterial agents and aid in the prevention of bacterial infection by getting rid of potentially harmful bacteria within the gut.
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