Why this small organ is very important for your good health
A quick guide to keeping your gallbladder healthy
You’ve probably heard plenty of advice about how to take care of your heart, but how often do you think about your gallbladder? This little organ rarely makes headlines, but it’s important for your digestion and overall health.
Its main job is to store bile and add it to the food in your small intestine so your body can break down fats. Most complications arise when cholesterol builds up and creates gallstones that block the duct between the gallbladder and the intestines. Another important job is to help and assist with detoxification.
The reason it is so important to pay extra attention to your gallbladder is that we eat less bitter foods than before. Each time you eat bitter food your gallbladder secretes more bile, helping digestion and also helping to keep the bile duct nice and clear.
Fortunately, caring for your gallbladder is mostly a matter of following the same habits that make up any healthy lifestyle.
Find out more in this quick guide to your gallbladder and you.
Pain and other symptoms of a gallbladder problem
- It usually occurs in the mid to upper-right section of your abdomen.
- Nausea or vomiting. Chronic gallbladder disease may cause digestive problems, such as acid reflux and gas.
- Fever or chills.
- Chronic diarrhea
- Stool abnormality.
- Discolored urine.
Preventing Gallbladder Conditions:
- Limit saturated fat. A diet high in saturated fats puts a heavy burden on your gallbladder, so cut back on fried foods, red meat, and butter. Unsaturated fats have the opposite effect. Try to get most of your fat calories from sources like olive oil, salmon, and nuts.
- Increase fiber. Dietary fiber provides many health benefits including lowering the LDL type of cholesterol that can block your intestines, as well as clog your arteries. Feast on fresh produce and whole grains.
- Focus on vitamins. In addition to fiber, many fruits and vegetables contain essential micronutrients that help fight gallstones. Add more vitamin C and E to your diet with cantaloupe, kiwi, and spinach, as well as almonds and shrimp.
- Drink up. You’d probably guess that water could help empty your gallbladder, but so can coffee. Be sure to use them in moderation to avoid any unwanted effects.
- Stop for snacks. Intermittent fasting may be safe for many adults but skipping meals can disrupt bile levels if you’re prone to gallstones. You may need to eat on a regular schedule each day.
- Manage your weight. Being overweight or losing weight too rapidly can also trigger gallstones. Losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is usually a safe goal.
- Stay active. Regular exercise can help you stay lean and trim abdominal fat that interferes with digestion. Move more throughout the day and work out for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Cleanse naturally. Save your money if you see ads for special gallbladder cleanses. They may be harmful, and your body already detoxifies naturally.
Treating Gallbladder Conditions:
- Know your risks. Premenopausal women are at the highest risk for gallbladder conditions due to hormonal factors. Age, genetics, and lifestyle can also increase your risk.
- Understand the symptoms. More than 80% of gallstones are harmless and require no treatment. If a gallstone starts to block the flow of bile, you may notice symptoms including abdominal discomfort, bloating, vomiting, and jaundice.
- Gallbladder cleanses– Only to be done with supervision. This is where you consume olive oil and lemon juice to help dissolve gallstones. If you currently have big stones it is not a good idea to do as it can block the bile duct completely.
- Take herbal medication – Digest from Mediherb can help. Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) is also another great herb to help the gallbladder.
More than 25 million adults in the U.S. experience gallstones but changing your diet and other lifestyle habits can reduce your risks. Avoid gallbladder attacks by cutting back on saturated fat, eating more fiber, and exercising regularly.