Bile acids are steroid acids found predominantly in the bile of mammals. An increased secretion of bile acids produces an increase in bile flow. The main function of bile acids is to allow digestion of dietary fats and oils. Bile acids have other functions, including eliminating cholesterol from the body, driving the flow of bile, emulsifying fat-soluble vitamins to enable their absorption, and aiding in reduction of the bacterial flora found in the small intestine and biliary tract.