micellar phase defects

Last reviewed 01/2018

Bile salts are required to solubilise fats. Intestinal bile concentration may be reduced due to:

  • reduced hepatic synthesis e.g. parenchymal liver disease
  • impaired delivery e.g. biliary obstruction
  • deconjugation e.g. bacterial overgrowth
  • reduced absorption:
    • terminal ileal disease eg. Crohn's disease; resection
    • precipitation of bile salts e.g. cholestyramine, neomycin