Gallstones

Today I’m writing about gallstones because, along with kidney stones, this is one of the most common condition that occurs from imbalances in the body. As mentioned last week, kidney stones are the result of an imbalance of magnesium and calcium. As with so many health conditions, if disorders like these result from imbalances, then it stands to reason that preventing them is potentially within our control. Correcting the imbalances may be all it takes to prevent these conditions from arising. Let’s look at the tiny organ that works alongside the mighty liver: the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is part of the digestive system. Located next to the liver on the right side of the abdomen, the gallbladder plays an important role in digestion, that of storage. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder until it is needed for digesting fatty foods in the duodenum of the small intestine. While bile is synthesized in the liver, it is regulated by the gallbladder. The role of bile is to emulsify fats. It breaks down large fat globules into tiny droplets to prepare them for digestion by pancreatic enzymes.

The liver, along with the kidneys, is a filtering organ of the body. The more fats and toxins ingested, the more impaired its metabolic functions become.A sluggish liver or gallbladder means that not enough bile reaches the duodenum. 

Gallbladder removal is the most common operation in North America. Every year, more than 50,000 people in Canada undergo surgery to remove their gallbladders because of gallstones.

Why is this?

The most common cause of liver/gallbladder problems is an excess consumption of fatty food, starches and junk food. The most common triggers of gallbladder attacks are caffeine, chocolate, eggs, dairy products (especially ice cream) and greasy or deep fried foods.

Of course, the kind of dietary fat consumed is important. Consuming polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (fats that are liquid at room temperature) while maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring and trout are good examples of the right kind of fats for the gallbladder and the whole body.

Avoid sugar. People who consume an excessive amount of sugar are much more likely to form gallstones. Avoid all animal fat and meat, saturated fats, full fat dairy products, fried foods, spicy foods, margarine, soft drinks, commercial oils, chocolate, and refined carbohydrates.

Rapid weight changes can cause gallbladder problems. Repeatedly losing and gaining weight due to dieting increases the risk of gallstones and the necessity for surgery by as much as 70 percent. Physical activity may reduce the risk of gallstones.

An under-functioning liver/gallbladder will interfere with the absorption of essential fatty acids and with the metabolism of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. An inadequate flow of bile will affect the elimination of many toxic substances from the body.

Pure apple juice can be taken over a period of several days to cleanse the  liver and gallbladder. Pear juice and beet juice also cleanse the liver.

Approximately 80% of all gallstones show no symptoms and may remain hidden for years. Once symptoms arise, they persist and increase in frequency. Symptoms may include right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort or sharp pain, gas or fullness after a heavy meal. The pain may also spread to the chest, shoulder, neck or back. In addition to these symptoms, stones expelled from the gallbladder during contraction may become lodged within the bile duct leading to infection of the bile duct or gallbladder.

It is my hope that learning about these symptoms and triggers will help you to identify disorders you may be experiencing and give you ways to feel better. There are further dietary and lifestyle changes that can address gallbladder issues that go beyond the scope of this blog. It's worth reiterating that that the large majority of gallstones produce no symptoms and require no treatment. I urge you to discuss any recommended treatment with your doctor and surgeon and make sure an operation is absolutely necessary before proceeding.