Which statement about ursodiol is true?

• A. It is a carbohydrate
• B. It is a mineral
• C. It is a protein
• D. It is Ursodeoxycholic acid, a bile acid that may improve fat absorption

Answer: (D)

Ursodiol is ursodeoxycholic acid, a bile acid. Bile acids act as detergents that emulsify fats, creating micelles that let pancreatic enzymes digest fats and fat-soluble vitamins. As a therapeutic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid can alter the bile acid pool to support fat digestion and can help dissolve cholesterol gallstones in some cases, which can improve fat absorption overall. So, describing it as a bile acid that may improve fat absorption is accurate. It is not a carbohydrate, mineral, or protein.