Could abnormalities in bile salts lead to excessive cholesterol elimination and decreased cholesterol absorption?
Diarrhea accelerates the elimination of any cholesterol excreted in the bile, preventing it from being recycled. In addition, many children with autism are deficient in sulfur containing amino acids. One of these is taurine, a critical amino acid that combines with cholesterol derivatives to form bile salts. If bile salts are not formed in adequate quantities, increased amounts of cholesterol derivatives will be secreted into the bile. Ordinarily bile salts are recycled. They are secreted into the intestine and then later reabsorbed. When cholesterol cannot be converted into bile salts, cholesterol will be secreted into the intestine and a significant fraction may not be able to be reabsorbed.
