Gall Bladder – Gall Stone Prevention

Greetings all.

The prevention of this very painful and dibilitating condition can be done quite effectively naturally.The gall bladder is a small sac that receives and stores bile after the liver secretes it. It then releases this fat digesting fluid after meals, When everything is working properly, you are not aware of it at all. But when bile becomes over saturated with cholesterol or, more rarely, calcium, the extra compunds may crystalize, forming gallstones. These stones can vary in size from  a pea to as large as an egg! Most times you won’t even know you have them. Problems arise when a gallstone gets stuck in the bile duct which is one of the tubes through which the bile flows. When this happens you feel severe pain in the upper right section of your abdomen often with nausea, vomiting, bloating and belching. Sometimes the pain may subside meaning the stone has fallen back into the gall bladder or been forced out into the intestines where it will be excreted. Sometimes an infection can result because of obstruction resulting in fever, chills or jaundice.

Sounds lovely doesn’t it!! So how to prevent this happening?

You can’t just take a pill to prevent this happening but you can increase the intake of some nutrients that are allies in preventing this as well as staying away from junky, fatty foods and poor dietary choices in general.

Vitamin C

Deficiencies in Vit. C have been linked to gallstones forming; Taking Vit. C in supplement may help prevent this form happening. Typical dosage: 1000-3000mg Daily.

Vitamin E

So you gave into temptation and ordered the chips anyway. Well vitamin E helps to scavenge free radicals, the damaging molecules that eating oxidised fats - those like fried foods – creates. Clinical studies also indicate that it may prevent gall stone formation. Typical Dosage: 200-800IU daily. Less if you have liver issues.

Lecithin

Some research suggests that low levels of lecithin in the bile may cause gallstones. Lecithin, a type of nutrient called phospholipid, also helps to break up fats, which is important to proper cholesterol digestion. It may also increase the bile’s ability to to dissolve cholesterol. Typical Dosage: 1000mg 3 times daily with meals.

Essential Fatty Acids

These wonder chemicals help the body control cholesterol and digest other fats. Look for a product that offers a combination of Omega 3, 6 fatty acids; you’ll find both in fish oils, flaxseed oil, evenig primrose oil. Typical dosage: 1000-4000mg daily. Keep these oils refridgerated.

Taurine

Studies of people who took supplements of this amino acid found that they secreted more bile – the magic fat digesting fluid – and that the bile they secreted was able to dissolve more cholesterol. Typical Dosage:500-3000mg daily.

Hydrochloric Acid

Think it’s odd this appears here? This is the kind your stomach uses to digest food. People who lack sufficient amounts of this acid may be prone to developing gallstones. Typical Dosage: 1-5 capsules with meals; start with one and build up. Best to follow the advice of your naturopath.

Fibre

Psyllium, Pectin, and Guar gum can decrease cholesterol levels and keep the bile acid pool active, which discourages disease and stone formation. In studies on animals, the ones who ate the least fibre has the highest incidences of gallstone. New evidence suggests that non-obese women whose digestive systems move slowly are prone to gallstones. So they need to be sure of getting enough fibre, especially if they have family history of gallbladder disease. Follow maunfacturers recommendations for dosage.

Try implementing these nutrients into your daily diet and reap the benefits of preventing this condition.

Don’t forget to leave your comments and thoughts on this post along with anything you have tried that helps.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.