Ox Bile / Bile Salts
Research reviewed: 2025-2026
Ox Bile / Bile Salts (Conjugated bile acids (ox-derived)) is a dietary supplement with 11 published peer-reviewed studies involving 137 participants, researched for Fat Digestion & Malabsorption, Post-Cholecystectomy Support, Fat-Soluble Vitamin Absorption and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Fat Digestion & Malabsorption
ModeratePost-Cholecystectomy Support
ModerateFat-Soluble Vitamin Absorption
ModerateHeart Health
WeakCognitive Function
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Fat Digestion & Malabsorption
To evaluate ox bile supplementation on fat digestion in post-cholecystectomy patients.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate ox bile supplementation on fat digestion in post-cholecystectomy patients.
Dose
500 mg ox bile with meals
Participants
40 patients post-cholecystectomy with fat malabsorption
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Ox bile significantly reduced fecal fat excretion and improved stool consistency. GI symptoms (bloating, diarrhea) were significantly reduced.
How They Measured It
Fecal fat excretion, stool frequency, GI symptom scores
To assess bile acid supplementation for fat malabsorption in short bowel syndrome.
Study Type
Open-label clinical study
Purpose
To assess bile acid supplementation for fat malabsorption in short bowel syndrome.
Dose
Conjugated bile acids 300-600 mg with meals
Participants
12 patients with short bowel syndrome
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Bile acid supplementation significantly improved CFA and reduced steatorrhea episodes. Some patients were able to reduce parenteral nutrition dependence.
How They Measured It
72-hour fecal fat collection, CFA, steatorrhea frequency
Post-Cholecystectomy Support
To evaluate bile salt supplementation for post-cholecystectomy diarrhea and GI symptoms.
Study Type
Prospective clinical trial
Purpose
To evaluate bile salt supplementation for post-cholecystectomy diarrhea and GI symptoms.
Dose
300 mg conjugated bile salts with each meal
Participants
28 patients with persistent post-cholecystectomy diarrhea
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Bile salt supplementation reduced stool frequency from mean 4.2 to 1.8/day and significantly improved stool consistency. 82% of patients reported symptom improvement.
How They Measured It
Stool frequency, Bristol Stool Scale, patient symptom questionnaire
To evaluate clinical outcomes of bile acid supplementation in post-cholecystectomy patients.
Study Type
Retrospective cohort study
Purpose
To evaluate clinical outcomes of bile acid supplementation in post-cholecystectomy patients.
Dose
Various ox bile preparations
Participants
96 post-cholecystectomy patients
Duration
6 months follow-up
Results
Bile acid supplementation was associated with improved fat-soluble vitamin levels and reduced GI symptom-related healthcare visits.
How They Measured It
Symptom resolution, healthcare utilization, fat-soluble vitamin levels
Fat-Soluble Vitamin Absorption
To evaluate bile acid supplementation on fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Study Type
Crossover study
Purpose
To evaluate bile acid supplementation on fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Dose
500 mg ox bile with meals
Participants
18 adults with bile acid deficiency
Duration
Single-dose crossover
Results
Bile acid supplementation significantly increased postprandial absorption of vitamins D and E. Vitamin A absorption showed trend towards improvement.
How They Measured It
Serum vitamin A, D, E, K levels after standard fat-containing meal
To evaluate conjugated bile acid replacement on vitamin D status in cholestatic liver disease.
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate conjugated bile acid replacement on vitamin D status in cholestatic liver disease.
Dose
300 mg conjugated bile acids daily
Participants
32 patients with cholestatic liver disease and vitamin D deficiency
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Bile acid replacement + vitamin D achieved significantly higher serum 25(OH)D levels than vitamin D supplementation alone.
How They Measured It
Serum 25(OH)D levels, PTH levels
Heart Health
n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids mediate hyodeoxycholic acid-FXR signaling to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
n - 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids mediate hyodeoxycholic acid-FXR signaling to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
demonstrated that HDCA acts as an intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonist that decreased intestinal and hepatic ceramide accumulation, thereby ameliorating the MAFLD phenotype.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 41045973. J Nutr Biochem
Limosilactobacillus reuteri CCFM1388 Enhances Exercise Endurance by Modulating Intestinal Bile Acid Metabolism and Cholesterol Absorption.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Limosilactobacillus reuteri CCFM1388 Enhances Exercise Endurance by Modulating Intestinal Bile Acid Metabolism and Cholesterol Absorption.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
demonstrated that CCFM1388 significantly improved exercise endurance by modulating testosterone biosynthesis.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40937886. Mol Nutr Food Res
Vitamin E ameliorates blood cholesterol level and alters gut microbiota composition: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Vitamin E ameliorates blood cholesterol level and alters gut microbiota composition: A randomized controlled trial.
Dose
See study
Participants
90 participants
Duration
Not specified
Results
CONCLUSIONS: VE could promote health by lowering LDL-C, partly and indirectly by affecting gut bacteria with the ability to produce SCFAs or metabolize bile acids.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 40087044. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Purpose
The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Dose
See study
Participants
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Results
CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that UDCA supplementation may improve BMI and DBP, whereas it may increase SBP and have no effect on weight or inflammation.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 39984850. BMC Cardiovasc Disord
Cognitive Function
Bile acid metabolites predict multiple sclerosis progression and supplementation is safe in progressive disease.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Bile acid metabolites predict multiple sclerosis progression and supplementation is safe in progressive disease.
Dose
See study
Participants
47 participants
Duration
16 weeks
Results
CONCLUSIONS: Bile acid metabolism in MS is linked to brain and retinal atrophy.
How They Measured It
PubMed PMID: 39447576. Med
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ox Bile / Bile Salts research
There are currently 11 peer-reviewed studies on Ox Bile / Bile Salts (Conjugated bile acids (ox-derived)), involving 137 total participants. Research covers Fat digestion, Bile acid support, Post-cholecystectomy support and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (11 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Ox Bile / Bile Salts has been researched for: Fat digestion, Bile acid support, Post-cholecystectomy support, Fat-soluble vitamin absorption. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 11 out of 11 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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