Ursodiol, also known as ursodeoxycholic acid and the
abbreviation UDCA, is one of the secondary
bile acids, which are metabolic byproducts of intestinal bacteria. Primary bile acids are produced by the
liver and stored in the
gall bladder. When secreted into the colon, primary bile acids can be metabolized into secondary bile acids by intestinal bacteria. Primary and secondary bile acids help the body
digest fats. Ursodeoxycholic acid helps regulate
cholesterol by reducing the rate at which the
intestine absorbs cholesterol molecules while breaking up
micelles containing cholesterol. Because of this property, ursodeoxycholic acid is used to treat (cholesterol)
gallstones non-surgically.
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