| The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that | | | | Recommendations For Wellness |
| sits on the right side of our bodies just beneath | | | | The traditional treatment for gallstones is to have |
| the liver. Its primary function is to store and | | | | your gallbladder removed. There are, however, a |
| secrete bile. Bile is a yellow-brown fluid produced | | | | number of things you can do to reduce your risk |
| by the liver, which helps us digest fats. Our liver | | | | of producing gallstones or experiencing a gallstone |
| produces up to three cups of bile a day. Our | | | | attack. |
| gallbladder can store up to a cup of bile as it | | | | - Reduce your consumption of saturated fats |
| awaits a fatty meal. | | | | typically found in red meat and pork, while |
| When we eat, our gallbladder contracts and | | | | increasing the amount of fresh fruits and |
| pushes bile into the small intestines where it helps | | | | vegetables you consume. |
| with the digestion of fats. Bile is made up of | | | | - Start a diet and exercise program, but avoid |
| water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins and | | | | crash dieting which can increase your risk of |
| bilirubin. Under certain conditions, substances in the | | | | gallstones. Both diet and exercise can help you |
| bile, especially the cholesterol or bile pigment | | | | reduce your risk of producing gallstones. |
| (bilirubin) can harden into stones - gallstones. | | | | - If you are taking birth control pills or are on |
| Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or | | | | hormone replacement therapy, speak with your |
| as large as a golf ball. We can develop one large | | | | doctor regarding your risk of forming stones or |
| stone or a multitude of smaller ones. Many people | | | | have them check your gallbladder for the |
| with gallstones have no symptoms at all. Others | | | | presence of gallstones regularly. |
| go through life relatively symptom free, | | | | - Studies indicate that coffee increase the flow of |
| experiencing minor symptoms such as abdominal | | | | bile and may help to decrease the risk of |
| bloating, intolerance to fatty foods, belching, | | | | gallstones. If you decide to add a little coffee to |
| intestinal gas and indigestion. For others, however | | | | your health plan for this reason, make sure you |
| they may suffer what is called a gallstone | | | | only consume organically grown coffee beans. |
| "attack". Gallstone attacks often follow a fatty | | | | - Supplement with vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed |
| meal. Symptoms of an attack include steady, | | | | by the body to convert cholesterol to bile acids in |
| sever pain in the upper abdomen that can last | | | | the body. |
| from 30 minutes to several hours. Sufferers may | | | | - Lecithin has been shown to help break down and |
| also experience pain in the back between the | | | | transport fat molecules and may help dissolve |
| shoulder blades or under the right shoulder. A | | | | gallstones. Studies indicate that it is helpful in |
| gallstone attack is often accompanied by nausea | | | | protecting us from gallstone formation. |
| or vomiting. If symptoms such as sweating, chills, | | | | - Safflowers can be used to thin body fluids as |
| a fever or a yellowish color to the skin or whites | | | | well as aid in the digestion of oils. |
| of the eyes occur, it is important to seek medical | | | | - Nature's Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula can be |
| assistance. | | | | used to help stimulate circulation, improve liver |
| There are a number of factors that increase your | | | | function & aid in the production of digestive |
| risk of having gallstones. Those at a higher risk | | | | fluids. |
| include women, especially women who are | | | | - Do a gallbladder flush. During a gallbladder flush, |
| pregnant, on hormone therapy or taking birth | | | | 1-2 cups of olive oil are consumed to simulate the |
| control pills, people over 60 years of age, Native | | | | gallbladder into releasing bile. This increased |
| and Mexican Americans, overweight individuals and | | | | demand on the gallbladder to release bile works to |
| individuals who fast or go on crash diets and lose | | | | push the stones out. |
| a lot of weight quickly. | | | | - If you think your liver is congested, or if you |
| It is important to recognize that if the gallbladder | | | | have been having minor symptoms of gallstones |
| is loaded with stones, there is very little room to | | | | for a long period of time, it is important to |
| store bile and fat digestion may become impaired. | | | | support and cleanse your liver for a period of |
| In turn, the unused bile can back up into the liver | | | | time before doing a gallbladder flush. Try taking |
| causing liver congestion. If this is the case, it is | | | | herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion or a liver |
| important to evaluate your liver's health prior to | | | | cleanse formula. |
| cleansing on your gallbladder. | | | | |