Ox Bile 101: What is Ox Bile & What Are Its Benefits?

So you're finally sick and tired of sluggish digestion and uncomfortable symptoms anytime you eat fatty food — even healthy fats! What do you do? Supplementing with ox bile and its cousin TUDCA may provide the support you need to digest fats and oils without discomfort. Let's review the applications of ox bile and TUDCA and how they can support your digestion, detoxification, and beyond.*

Table of Contents:

What is Ox Bile?

Back in the olden days (often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine), ox bile was literally extracted from oxen and turned into a supplement, typically in powder or salt form. Don't worry — these days we make it synthetically and no oxen are harmed in the making of this supplement. Ox bile may also be combined with digestive enzymes for comprehensive digestive support. 

Though your body already produces bile on its own, for many people this process may be inefficient or not as impactful as it could be without external supplementation. Ox bile supplements aim to support those with insufficient bile production or compromised gallbladder and liver function. 

For those with digestive issues, ox bile supplements may help restore healthy fat digestion and nutrient absorption levels — more on these benefits below. 

Understanding the Role of Bile in Digestion

Though you may understandably not give your body's bile production process much thought, it dramatically impacts the health of your body each day. Produced naturally by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, bile contains water, bile acids, bile salts, electrolytes, fatty acids, phospholipids, toxins, cholesterol, and bilirubin (a yellow pigment produced from blood cells).

Bile acids play a key role in several gastrointestinal functions, including: 

• Breaking down dietary fats. Bile salts break down fats into tiny droplets, making them easier for your body to digest and absorb. This means that essential fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, can be more easily absorbed and used by your cells. 
• Regulating fluid balance. Bile controls how much water and minerals move through your digestive system, which prevents dehydration and fluid buildup. 
• Regulating stomach emptying times. Bile helps coordinate when food moves from your stomach to your intestines for smooth digestion. 
• Maintaining a healthy gut movement. Bile influences the regular contractions that help food move at the optimal rhythm through your intestines, keeping you regular. 

Research shows that bile acids activate important receptors throughout the digestive tract that regulate various aspects of digestion and metabolism (turning food into energy). When bile production slows down or speeds up, it may contribute to digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

Benefits of Ox Bile Supplements

While contemporary research is still underway, traditional Chinese medicine has used bile compounds for thousands of years for digestive and liver support. Today's studies confirm the efficacy of this practice, along with the powerful effects of specific bile acids like TUDCA (taurodeoxycholic acid) that would have been found in traditional ox bile. 

One recent review shows that TUDCA effectively supports gut barrier function and contains antioxidant properties. Meanwhile, other studies reveal that it may increase natural bile flow by up to 250 percent, which may dramatically improve your ability to absorb essential nutrients, eliminate toxins, and break down dietary fats.*

Bile acids are energy intensive to make in the body, so a healthy person produces minimal amounts of TUDCA naturally. But by taking high quality TUDCA supplements, the digestive and detox benefits can compound. 

Let's take a closer look at the main benefits of ox bile and bile acids like TUDCA.

Supports Fat Digestion and Absorption

Ox bile supplements primarily break down dietary fats and boost nutrient absorption. 

Particularly for those with compromised bile production levels, these supplements may:

• Reduce digestive discomfort following fatty meals
• Aid in detoxification and waste elimination 
• Help regulate gut imbalances
• Enhances Absorption of Fat-Soluble Vitamins*

By aiding fat digestion, ox bile helps support proper absorption of essential fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are critical for immune function, bone health, skin health, energy production, and blood clotting.*

Aids Liver Function and Detoxification*

Supplementing with ox bile may reduce the burden on your liver while also supporting overall digestive function and gut microbiome health. It may also help absorb fat soluble toxins (like mold and heavy metals) and help eliminate them from the body.*

Supports Neurological Health* 

Even though it's a bile acid first, TUDCA also acts like an antioxidant and can cross the blood-brain barrier to help protect brain cells from oxidative stress, thereby helping support cognitive function with age.*

Promotes Cellular Resilience*

By supporting mitochondrial function, TUDCA helps maintain optimal cellular energy production and protects against premature cell damage.*

Promotes Eye Health*

Recent studies reveal TUDCA's significant protective effects on photoreceptor cells in the eye by reducing oxidative stress.* 

Helps Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels* 

Research also shows TUDCA's potential promising effects on glucose metabolism. In one recent study, TUDCA reduced blood glucose levels by 43% in early-stage diabetic mice, supporting optimal insulin function.* 

When Should You Take Ox Bile?

If you think you may benefit from taking ox bile, a knowledgeable medical professional can offer the individualized advice you need. Since everyone's situation is unique, it's ideal to get a professional opinion before implementing any new vitamin, supplement or medication into your routine, especially if you are taking additional medications. 

That being said, those with conditions that impact bile production or flow may benefit from supplementation.* These include those who:

• Have undergone gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy)
• Have a liver condition like cirrhosis
• Experience issues with gallstones blocking bile ducts
• Are taking certain medications, particularly antibiotics or hormone treatments that impact gut health
• Consume a diet low in fiber or high in processed foods
• Are older and have age-related deterioration of the liver

Signs of Low Bile Production

Signs that you may have compromised bile production include: 

• Abdominal tightness or digestive issues
• Indigestion or bloating
• Nausea after consuming fatty foods
• Constipation
• Pale or yellowish stools

You should only take ox bile as directed by your healthcare provider. Remember that since bile is mostly water, staying well-hydrated is integral to healthy bile production. Eating beets and beet greens can also support bile production naturally, since they contain betaine, a liver-supportive nutrient.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Whenever you add a new supplement to your routine, side effects may be possible. Those sometimes associated with ox bile supplementation in particular include: 

• Digestive discomfort
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Herxheimer reaction due to increased detoxification

Keep in mind that while ox bile supplementation is often recommended to treat diarrhea, it may sometimes paradoxically worsen the condition. Since every situation is unique, always speak with a healthcare provider.

What Not to Take with Ox Bile

Always discuss any preexisting conditions and vitamins, supplements, or medications you may be taking with your doctor to help avoid unwanted side effects.

Certain medications may interact with ox bile, including antibiotics, acid-reducing medications, blood thinners, fat-soluble supplements, or certain digestive enzymes. 

Final Thoughts on Ox Bile and Digestive Health

Ox bile supplements offer significant potential benefits, particularly for those with compromised bile or gallbladder function. These supplements can support healthy fat digestion and nutrient absorption. 

For the safest and best results, combine ox bile supplements with proper hydration, a healthy diet and lifestyle, and professional medical advice.