Bile acids are important metabolic messengers. Modifications in BA abundance or signalling are associated with metabolic diseases including obesity, type 2
diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and atherosclerosis.
Bile acids have long been known to play an important role in dietary lipid absorption and cholesterol catabolism and have been shown to increase energy expenditure by promoting intracellular thyroid hormone activation.
Recent studies suggest BA can be suggested as a nonsurgical weight-loss
intervention even in extreme obese, or to promote weight loss after bariatric surgery.