GALLBLADDER DISEASE

 

What is the gall bladder?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ situated directly under the liver in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen.

What is the function of the gall bladder?

Its main function is to collect and concentrate the bile that the body uses to digest fats. Problems with the gall bladder and biliary system are very common and consist of:

• Inflammation of the gall bladder and bile ducts
• Muscular spasms and/or poor contraction of the gall bladder wall
• Stones forming in the gall bladder and/or bile ducts
• Obstruction to the free flow of bile

What causes gall bladder problems ?

• Production of toxic bile by the liver
• Inadequate production of bile by the liver
• Sluggish flow of bile
• Excess amounts of cholesterol in the bile resulting in stone formation
• Infection of the gall bladder
• Poor dietary choices with excess consumption of fatty foods, dairy products and fried foods.
• The hormonal changes of pregnancy
• The oral contraceptive pill and some types of hormone replacement therapy
• Some types of blood disorders

 

General Recommendation:

•  Try to maintain a normal body weight. Include often - high fiber foods like wholegrains, legumes, bran, raw fruits and vegetables, especially apples and pears; low-fat yoghurt; eggs; fish.

•  Avoid all dairy products – see www.notmilk.com

•  Avoid foods that contain high counts of bacteria, fungi and viruses – these are all dairy products, preserved meats, delicatessen meats, hamburger meats, smoked meats, and processed or junk foods. This is because these foods will trigger or exacerbate gal bladder infections.

•  Avoid saturated animal fats including fatty meats, butter, cream, icecream, cheese, chocolate, biscuits, fried foods (most gallstones are composed of cholesterol found in animal fats); refined sugars and refined carbohydrates.

•  We also recommend that you avoid red meat for about three months.

•  Drink plenty of filtered water throughout the day 8 – 10 glasses at least.