Re: Ox Bile Extract

[Guest guest]

> Hi,

>

> Anyone know what this is or if it comes from cows? I bought a

> digestive enzyme that has it in it and was worring about nvCJD (from

> Mad Cow). I thus far have not found an internet site describing

> exactly what this is. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks

,

Ox bile extract indeed comes from cows. It is purified bile from

cattle. It is used as a choleretic, or stimulant of bile secretion.

The idea is that it is absorbed in the gut and recycled to the liver,

from which it is resecreted as bile. Bile acts as sort of a detergent

to break up the fat that you eat into small droplets. It this way the

fat has a large surface-to-volume ratio in your gut, and thus is more

readily attacked by lipases, which are enzymes that break down fat so

that it can be absorbed. Light colored stools and fat in the stools

are signs that bile secretion may be inadequate.

If the ox bile extract comes from healthy cows, it should be fine. As

far as I know, mad cow disease has not been found in American cattle

so far.

Rich

[Guest guest]

HI Rich,

After doing some more research, I found that many digestive enzymes

contain extracts from bovine, pig, and other animal sources (eg

Pancreatin, ox bile, trypsin). I believe most come from bovine

sources. I have no problem eating meat products. I am just

concerned about the elevated risk of contracting BSE from these

sources expecially if they are from international sources. Many

other popular supplements contain these extracts as well like

Wobenzyme N. The manufacturer of my particular digestive aid assured

me that their sources are strictly from the US. So I believe I'll

fininish the bottle I have but may try one of the all veg digestive

aids to see if it works as well.

Rich Wrote:

> If the ox bile extract comes from healthy cows, it should be fine.

As

> far as I know, mad cow disease has not been found in American

cattle

> so far.

>

> Rich