Gallbladder Disease

The prevalence of gallstones (with or without symptoms) in the United States ranges from 5% to 9% in men and 14% to 27% in women.¹ It is thought that influences of hormones in women, especially with pregnancy, contribute to the build-up of gallstones. In pregnancy, higher estrogen levels cause a higher amount of cholesterol to enter the bile in the gallbladder, and a lower progesterone causes a lower amount of bile acids in the bile and a slowing of gallbladder emptying, which all leads to a more concentrated accumulation of cholesterol in the gallbladder, forming bile stones. Other risk factors include:

• Hormone therapy (birth control pills), although the lower the dose, the lower the risk
• Obesity
• Extreme weight loss from dieting or weight loss surgery
• Diabetes mellitus
• High triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol (on blood testing)
• Low physical activity
• Low intake of vegetables, nuts, and seeds

So, as you can see, even though genetic and hormonal factors contribute to gallstones, there is plenty more you can do every day to help prevent and possibly reverse gallstones. A Nutritarian eating style includes the right foods that preserve normal function of the gall bladder, as well as the right balance of cholesterol in the bile. Studies, as well as my experience and recording the incidence with thousands of dieters, suggest that the risk of gallstone formation is dramatically reduced in those using a Nutritarian diet with the regular use of a small amount of nuts and seeds.

Diet

A Nutritarian diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds is ideal for preventing and even treating gallstones. Be sure to include the following foods, which have been associated with a low risk of gallstone formation¹ or needing gallbladder surgery:²

• High vitamin C foods (citrus fruits, peppers, etc.)
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage, etc.)
• Green leafy vegetables (kale, collards, spinach, etc.)
• Nuts and seeds (limit to 1-2 ounces daily if overweight). It is best divided between meals, limiting to one ounce with a meal.

Other Considerations

• Lose weight, but not with unhealthy methods such as low calorie dieting (less than 500 kcal per day) or high protein diets. As long as you are eating a Nutritarian diet and eating enough to satisfy your hunger, you will lose weight without a substantial risk of gallstone formation.
• Exercise regularly. This will not only help lower your cholesterol, but also raise your good cholesterol (HDL), which is associated with a lower risk of gallstones.
• Avoid moderate to high doses of hormone therapy, particularly estrogen. Very low dose birth control pills or topical preparations contribute very little to this associated risk.