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
Instead, these bile acids are removed from the body.
—Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for bile acid 
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Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 14 Feb. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for bile acid
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 22 Feb. 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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