Bile salts
Bile Salts
Bile salts (/baɪl sɔːlts/) are a component of bile, a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. They are crucial for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.
Etymology
The term "bile" comes from the Latin "bilis", which means "gall" or "liver secretion". The word "salt" is derived from the Old English "sealt", which is related to the Greek "hals", meaning "sea".
Function
Bile salts aid in the digestion and absorption of fats by emulsifying them, which allows the lipase enzymes to break them down. They also help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the intestines.
Composition
Bile salts are composed of cholesterol, amino acids, and other elements. The primary bile salts in humans are cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid, which are synthesized in the liver.
Related Terms
- Cholic Acid
- Chenodeoxycholic Acid
- Cholesterol
- Amino Acids
- Lipase
- Emulsification
- Fat-Soluble Vitamins
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bile salts
- Wikipedia's article - Bile salts
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