Bile impacts your gut microbiome

Bile impacts your gut microbiome, or gut flora.

Bile acids released by the liver and gallbladder have antimicrobial properties that can

Inhibit bacterial overgrowth
Regulate the overgrowth and composition of the intestinal microbiota, protecting the liver and intestines against inflammation

The amount of bile released into the intestine can thus alter gut colonisation.

Low levels of bile salts favour the proliferation of gram-negative bacteria including pathogens, which contain inflammatory and damaging lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as part of their cell membranes
While high levels of bile salts favour the proliferation of gram-positive bacteria. For example, bile salts are known to inhibit Salmonella infections, control Clostridium diff infections, and decrease E coli infections

People with gallbladder disease tend to have reduced microbial diversity. Diversity is directly associated with better health.

They also have more overgrowths of pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms, such as Escherichia, Salmonella and Helicobacter.

If the gallbladder is removed due to disease, this can lead to a significant change in the composition of the gut microbiota. There's an even more pronounced decrease of bacterial diversity, and specifically in the Bacteroides kingdom.

What Can You Do to Support a Healthy Gallbladder and Bile Flow?