Bile, Bile, Bile…what the heck is Bile?
Let’s break it down:
Bile is part of your digestive juices and is produced in the liver
Bile is stored in the gallbladder
The biliary system consists of biliary ducts, gallbladder, and other associated organs
Bile consists of water, bile salts, phospholipids, bilirubin, amino acids, waste products, toxins, and cholesterol based hormones
So What Does Bile Do?
It aids in fat digestion and absorption
It neutralizes stomach acid and helps maintain a stable pH in our stomach
Bile contains bile salts that helps emulsify fats in our diet
Part of your natural detoxification processes removing excess cholesterol, minerals, and hormones
Bile helps us absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K as it is related to fat absorption and these vitamins need fats in order to be properly absorbed
It helps move our poop along and out of our bodies
Bilirubin is found in bile and part of our body’s way to break down old red blood cells
When we Have Bile Backup
Bile reflux is the most common issue - this can feel like GERD
Some other issues are:
Toxin build up: this can be heavy metals, environmental toxins, chemicals in drugs/pharmaceuticals, and mold
Our body holds on to hormones that should have been excreted and we get overload of different hormones
Our natural immune system doesn’t work to process and protect us from pathogens
How to Support Healthy Bile
My top pick is bitter foods: fennel, arugula, beets, brussel sprouts, radishes, cranberries, Jerusalem artichokes, pickles, and dark leafy greens
Start your morning with room temperature water with fresh lemon juice
Avoid sugar
Avoid all processed and refined foods
Drink green tea, ginger tea, or peppermint tea
Consume healthy fats like extra virign olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil
