One of the most important functions of bile acids is to break down fats, dispersing them into tiny particles - breaking down oil and fat. In addition, they activate lipase, a fat-digesting enzyme that speeds up the breakdown and absorption of fats/oils in the body.

Digestive problems due to insufficient bile production can also lead to weight gain. If the body's bile function is inadequate but you are taking bile acid capsules, you may have more success in losing weight with appropriate lifestyle changes and exercise.

Researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne have recently discovered that bile acids can do more than that, they can convert fat-storing cells into fat-burning cells.

In addition to white fat cells, which store energy, and brown fat cells, which use energy, there are also so-called beige fat cells in the human body. These are scattered in white adipose tissue but, like brown fat cells, they contain the protein that produces heat by burning calories.

The results suggest that bile acids are not just involved in digestion as emulsifiers, because when bile acid concentrations reach a certain level in the blood, "fat burning and thermogenesis" are triggered, so bile acids may be involved in effective weight loss. Source: sciencedaily.com