How to avoid gallstones? Here's what you need to consider
The gallbladder is a small, fig-shaped hollow organ embedded in the underside of the liver that stores bile made from hemoglobin waste.
In this sac-shaped organ, these substances are concentrated and form a kind of soap that the body uses to digest fats, but stones are also formed there.
The formation of gallstones is known as cholelithiasis and is due to multiple factors, according to the MD Manual.
Some of the factors that are related are hereditary, such as a diet rich in fat, blood disorders such as the destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) or being a woman, since it is prevalent due to estrogen.
Although there is a very marked hereditary pattern, studies indicate that having a healthy diet is key to avoiding gallstones.
What you should do is keep your cholesterol levels within normal limits, have healthy habits such as regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight, and have medical check-ups if you have any symptoms.
To help prevent gallstones, experts at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also recommend:
- Eat more high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, beans and peas, as well as whole grains, including brown rice, oatmeal and whole-wheat bread.
- Eat less refined carbohydrates and less sugar.
- Eat healthy fats , such as fish oil and olive oil, to help the gallbladder contract and empty regularly.
These are preventative measures you can take to avoid gallbladder problems, however, you should be cautious about diets or home remedies that promise to cleanse this organ.
Please note that before making any changes to your diet plan or implementing any treatment for a disease like this, you should consult with a health professional.
Foods to avoid Some foods can affect the well-being of this important organ, since excessive consumption of these can cause inflammation of the walls of this organ, a condition popularly known as cholecystitis.
High-calorie foods: Most canned, packaged or junk foods are the main causes of gallbladder problems, as they contain high levels of saturated fats and preservatives, which make digestion more difficult.
Whole milk and dairy products: Some dairy products, especially whole milk, contain high levels of fat that can contribute to gallbladder disease. These foods include whole milk, condensed milk, ice cream, high-fat aged cheeses (Parmesan, Gouda, Brie) and butter.
Spicy foods: Spicy foods such as peppers, chili peppers, red pepper, Tabasco sauce, cumin and jalapeño peppers can also cause inflammation of the gallbladder and worsen abdominal pain.
Meats: High-fat meats and meat products such as beef, ribs, and other red meats contain saturated fat that is harder to digest.
Condiments: The use of some condiments such as salsina, pepper, cumin, pepper, mustard, mayonnaise and other seasonings can cause acute inflammation and intense pain in the gallbladder.
Trans fats: The 'Clinical Practice Guideline for Cholecystitis' recommends avoiding hydrogenated fatty foods. Trans fats such as margarines, vegetable shortening, pastries, baked goods, industrial confectionery and fried foods are also prohibited.
Nuts: According to the Spanish Nutrition Foundation, some nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds and dehydrated coconut can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, since these foods contain more than 50% fats that need to be emulsified by bile salts.
Alcoholic beverages, coffee and sugary products: Consuming these products, sweets, sodas, carbonated drinks, unmixed citrus juices and other products rich in sugar can cause inflammation of the gallbladder.
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