Gallensekrete

Gallensekrete, often referred to as bile, is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Bile is composed of bile salts, bile acids, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water. Bile salts and bile acids are the primary functional components, emulsifying fats into smaller droplets, increasing their surface area for enzymatic breakdown by lipases.

Bilirubin, a pigment derived from the breakdown of red blood cells, gives bile its characteristic yellowish-green color. The excretion of bilirubin through bile is a primary route for the body to eliminate waste products. Cholesterol found in bile can be a precursor to gallstones if it precipitates out of solution.

Bile is continuously produced by the liver and released into the bile ducts. When the gallbladder is present, bile is concentrated and stored there between meals. Upon consumption of fatty foods, hormonal signals, primarily cholecystokinin (CCK), stimulate the gallbladder to contract and release bile into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. In individuals without a gallbladder, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. Bile also aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and acts as a lubricant and mild laxative.