Bloating, flatulence, fat intolerance, and in some cases nausea or heartburn are often symptoms of problems in the hepatobiliary system. The bile is crucial: only with its help can we digest the fats ingested with food well. Bile acids in particular emulsify fats in the aqueous small intestinal environment. Only then do they become degradable for the pancreatic enzymes.
In addition, bile forms an important excretory fluid through which toxins and metabolized hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can be eliminated. Thus, it plays a significant role in the detoxification of the body. 90% of bile is transported from the intestine back to the liver. This means that the liver only has to produce 10% of the bile acids anew. If bile production or reabsorption from the intestine is disturbed, this can lead to digestive problems, pain on the right side under the ribcage or inflammation of the gallbladder (usually caused by gallstones).
