Gallbladder Diet

Gallbladder Diet

Most people never give a thought to the health of their gallbladder. The pear-shaped organ does have an important job, collecting and storing bile -- the fluid that helps the body digest fats. But unlike the heart, liver, and kidneys, the gallbladder isn't necessary to keep the body healthy and functioning. Even when it isn't working as well as it should and gallstones develop, most people are unaware that there is a problem.

Yet in a small percentage of people, gallstones can trigger a variety of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. When gallstone symptoms are frequent, recurrent, and especially uncomfortable, the typical treatment is surgery to remove the gallbladder.

"The majority of people with gallstones never develop symptoms their whole lives," says John Martin, MD, associate professor of medicine and surgery, and director of endoscopy at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "Once you start to develop symptoms, you're going to need to have the gallbladder taken out."

Although diet doesn't directly cause gallbladder problems -- and it won't cure them -- watching what you eat and keeping a healthy weight might help you prevent gallstones from forming and avoid some discomfort if you do develop gallstones.

Diet and Gallstone Risk

Diet and Gallstone Risk

A number of risk factors contribute to the formation of gallstones, including a family history of gallstones and gender. Women are twice as likely as men to develop them. Body weight is also a factor; the risk of gallstones is higher in people who are overweight and obese.

Diets that are high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber appear to play a role. "There are a lot of things you can't change in that list, but you can certainly influence your diet," says F. Taylor Wootton III, MD, clinical counselor, associate professor of internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a member of the American Gastroenterological Association governing board.

If you're overweight, try to lose the extra weight; but do it gradually. There is a link between quick weight loss and gallstone formation. Crash or "yo-yo" diets can cause the liver to release more cholesterol into the bile, disrupting the normal balance of cholesterol and bile salts. That extra cholesterol can form into crystals, leading to gallstones, Wootton says.

Healthier Foods For The Gallbladder

Healthy Foods for the Gallbladder

Whether or not you are at risk for gallstones, it's always a good idea to keep your body at a healthy weight and eat a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high in fiber.

All of the following are healthy foods for your gallbladder, as well as the rest of your body:

• Beet leaf greens contain an ingredient called betaine which helps to thin the bile and keeps the gallbladder flushed.  This should be a regular in you weekly diet.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Non-traditional and traditional whole grains (Quinoa, millet, amaranth, brown rice, oats and bran cereal)
• Lean meat, poultry, and fish
• Low-fat dairy products (minimize these as all dairy increases mucus production and may contribute to thickening of the bile)

Anecdotal Foods

Certain foods have been studied for their potential to prevent gallbladder problems or reduce symptoms. For example, some research has indicated that drinking caffeinated coffee lowers the risk of gallstones in both men and women. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has also been linked to a reduced incidence of gallstones. In one study, women who ate at least one serving of peanuts a day had a 20% lower chance of having their gallbladder removed compared to women who rarely ate peanuts or peanut butter.

However, keep in mind the evidence is far too preliminary at this time to recommend any of these foods solely for the purpose of preventing gallbladder problems.

Foods to Avoid With Gallbladder Problems

Foods to Avoid With Gallbladder Problems

Researchers say many gallbladder symptoms stem from the modern Western diet, which is high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. "If you're having symptoms from gallstones, it's because as your gallbladder tries to squeeze, some of the gallstone is blocking the outflow of bile that is stored in your gallbladder," Martin says. "You're squeezing against a closed door, and that's why it hurts. If you eat fatty foods, that makes it squeeze more."

Changing your diet won't get rid of gallstones that are already there, but eating a healthy, balanced variety of nutrients and limiting the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol-heavy foods you eat may help ease your symptoms.

As stated in the previous section, Beet leaf greens high in betaine will help to thin the bile and keep the bile duct clean helping promote the drainage of the Gallbladder. 

Try to avoid or limit these high-fat foods in your diet:

• Fried foods
• Highly processed foods (doughnuts, pie, cookies)
• Whole-milk dairy products (cheese, ice cream, butter)
• Fatty red meat

Dr. Huntoon's Alternative Perspective and Your Solution

Our Experience With Gallstones

Early on in Dr. Huntoon's career, he had a number of patients come to him with Gallstones.  Each one wanted to address the cause of the Gallstones in addition to wanting to prevent them from coming back.  Dr. Huntoon consulted with his mentors and with their guidance, developed a plan to dissolve the stones and then restore balance to the person so they could go on with their life and not have to worry about developing Gallstones again.

The recommended protocol for Gallstones requires an evaluation and a conversation to discuss the specifics involved, what to expect and what to do if you run into problems.  You are encouraged to have a Consultation and Examination to determine if you are a candidate for Dr. Huntoon's GallStone Solution.

In his experience dealing many different patients who presented with the diagnosis of Gallstones and who had positive x-rays and ultrasounds indicating Gallstones, Dr. Huntoon has placed them on the appropriate care and after the treatment, the ultrasounds come back completely normal.  In one case, the MD couldn't believe the results and doubted the ultrasound results, so he performed a new ultrasound and did not believe what he was seeing was possible. He never did ask what the patient did and simply said come back when the stones come back.

After the stones have been eliminated, you will need to discuss your dietary habits, understand the mechanism of your stone formation and develop a life-style change to prevent them from coming back.  This is vitally important for the successful recovery and prevention of future  Gallstones.

Can Gallstones be Prevented?

Rather than having to undergo treatment, it is best to avoid Gallstones in the first place when possible. It can be especially helpful to drink more water, since low fluid intake and dehydration are major risk factors for Gallstone formation.

Depending on the cause of your Gallstones and your unique medical history, changes in the diet will be recommended to decrease the likelihood of developing further Gallstones. If one has passed a stone, it can be particularly helpful to have it analyzed in a laboratory to determine the precise type of stone so specific prevention measures can be considered.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Huntoon directly at 845-561-2225.  He looks forward to serving you.