Bile

What is bile?

Bile is a sticky, thick, greenish-yellow fluid that your liver produces. It plays an important role in digestion, especially in helping your body break down fats from the food you eat.

Another name for bile is gall. That’s where your gallbladder gets its name. It’s a small, pear-shaped organ located just beneath your liver that stores bile.

What does bile do?

When you eat a meal containing fat, certain hormones signal your gallbladder to contract and release (secrete) bile into the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum. The bile salts — the most important component of bile — then emulsify, or mix together, the fats in your food. That means they break large fat globules into smaller particles.

With fat broken down into smaller pieces, it makes it easier for digestive enzymes to do their job. Your bloodstream can then absorb these fatty acids and your body can use these nutrients for energy.

In addition to its role in fat digestion and nutrient absorption, bile also helps to eliminate waste products like bilirubin from your body. Bilirubin is a byproduct formed during the natural breakdown of red blood cells. Bile acts as a carrier, transporting bilirubin from your liver to your intestines for elimination through your poop.

Where is bile produced?

Your liver produces bile. It makes about 800 to 1,000 milliliters (about 27 to 34 fluid ounces) of bile every day.

Where is bile stored?

After your liver makes the bile, it’s released through your bile ducts into your gallbladder for storage. You can think of your gallbladder as a little storage tank next to your liver, holding bile until it’s needed. Your gallbladder typically holds about 30 to 80 milliliters (about 1 to 2.7 fluid ounces) of fluid.

What is bile made of?

Bile is made up of many different compounds, including:

• Cholesterol.
• Bile salts (bile acids).
• Water.
• Phospholipids (complex fats that contain phosphorus).
• Bilirubin.
• Body salts (like potassium and sodium).
• Copper and other metals.

Bile salts, or bile acids, are the most important component of bile. They help break down fats during digestion.

What are the common conditions and disorders associated with bile?

Bile problems can arise when something disrupts the flow or production of bile. Conditions associated with bile may include:

• Gallstones: These are hard deposits that form in your gallbladder consisting of cholesterol, bilirubin or a combination of both.
• Cholecystitis: This is inflammation of your gallbladder, often caused by gallstones blocking your bile ducts.
• Cholangitis: This is an infection within your bile ducts. Gallstones that have moved from the gallbladder into the bile ducts can cause it.
• Choledocholithiasis: This is the presence of gallstones in your common bile duct (referenced in the above category of cholangitis), the tube that carries bile from your liver and gallbladder to your small intestine.
• Bile duct obstruction: Gallstones, scar tissue, tumors or other problems can cause bile duct blockages. It prevents bile from flowing properly, leading to problems with digestion and nutrient absorption.

Common signs or symptoms of bile conditions

Bile problems can cause a variety of symptoms, but some of the most common include:

• Pain in your upper right or upper central belly (abdomen): This is often the most noticeable symptom of bile problems. The pain can be sharp or dull and may come and go, especially after eating a fatty meal. It may even radiate to your back or right shoulder blade.
• Nausea and vomiting: These are also common symptoms of bile problems and can occur along with the abdominal pain.
• Indigestion: You may experience chest pain, feeling full or bloated after eating, or discomfort in your upper abdomen.
• Fever and chills: These can be signs of infection, which can sometimes occur with bile problems like cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder).
• Jaundice: This is a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. It happens when bilirubin builds up in your bloodstream. This suggests that the bile duct is blocked.
• Changes in poop color: Also with a bile duct blockage, your poop may become lighter-colored or clay-colored.

It’s important to remember that other conditions can also cause these symptoms. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they’re severe or persistent, see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

Common tests to check the health of your digestive system

Healthcare providers may use the following blood tests to check certain aspects of your bile:

• Liver function tests: These check levels of liver enzymes, proteins and bilirubin in your blood. Abnormal levels can indicate problems with your liver, gallbladder or bile ducts.
• Bilirubin test: This specifically measures the level of bilirubin in your blood. Elevated bilirubin can be a sign of bile duct blockage or other issues.

Common treatments for bile-related issues

Treatment for bile-related conditions depends on the specific issue. Common treatments for some bile problems include:

• Antibiotics: If you have inflammation caused by an infection, your provider may prescribe antibiotics to clear it up.
• Cholecystectomy: This is the most common treatment for gallstones and cholecystitis. It involves surgically removing your gallbladder. It’s a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, in most cases.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in your liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas. For example, this procedure can remove stones within the bile duct using a special scope — without surgery.
• Surgery: In severe cases, you may need surgery to address the cause of a blockage or inflammation.

What can I do to keep my bile healthy?

Some tips to keep your bile healthy include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight for you: Obesity is a risk factor for gallstones. Losing weight gradually can help reduce the risk of future problems. However, rapid weight loss is actually a risk factor for gallstone development.
• Low-fat meal plan: Eating foods that are lower in fat, especially unhealthy fats, can help prevent gallstones and may be beneficial after treatment.
• Dietary fiber: Including enough fiber in your diet can promote healthy digestion and may help regulate cholesterol levels.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

You probably don’t think much about how your body breaks down the fats in your breakfast as you go about your day. Your body takes care of a lot of that for you so you can busy yourself with other things. Digestive issues, and trouble with bile — can be galling. They can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. If you’re experiencing symptoms like upper right or central belly pain, nausea and vomiting, see a healthcare provider. While many different conditions can cause these symptoms, it’s important to receive a correct diagnosis and treatment to maintain the health of your bile and digestive system.