The gallbladder is a little pear-shaped pouch tucked behind the lobes of the liver. Its main job is to store up the cholesterol-rich bile that’s secreted by the liver. Bile helps your body digest fatty foods.
A variety of problems can occur in the gallbladder, such as the formation of stones or gallbladder inflammation called cholecystitis.
Gallbladder problems are caused by obesity, rapid weight loss, oral contraceptives, constipation, high fat diets, low fiber diet, food allergies, (usually wheat) and heredity.
Some of the warning signs that you may have a gallbladder problem include gallbladder pain, poor fat digestion, rosacea of skin and leaky gut.
Many people, especially older people and women, will have some gallbladder trouble. Seventy percent of the time that trouble is in the form of gallstones. Gallstones form when the bile contains excessive amounts of cholesterol.
When there isn’t enough bile to saturate the cholesterol, the cholesterol begins to crystallize, and you get a gallstone. If you have gallstones you can do a gallbladder flush.
But the best overall natural gallbladder treatment long term is following the gallbladder diet.
The Gallbladder Diet
These foods can help reduce gallbladder distress and are easier for the body to digest. Try this gallbladder diet for fast relief from gallbladder distress.
High fiber foods – Aim for 30-40g of fiber per day which can help reduce the risk of gallstones.
Beets, artichoke, and dandelion greens – These vegetables help improve bile flow which break down fat.
Coconut oil – Coconut oil contains easiest form of fat for the body to digest which are MCFA’s. Still, don’t do more than 1 tbsp at a time.
Sprouted seeds – Sprouted flax, chia, hemp, and pumpkin seeds are easier to digest and can reduce inflammation. But only consume 1-2 tbsp of sprouted nuts and seeds at a time because you don’t want to over consume fat.
Raw food diet – People who eat a diet high in raw plants like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds tend to have lower occurrence of gallstones.
Lean Protein – Including lean sources of organic protein in a gallbladder diet can relieve stress. Consider chicken, turkey, grass-fed beef, bison wild caught fish and organic protein powder.
Gallbladder Problem Foods to Avoid
Fried foods and hydrogenated oils – These foods can worsen gallbladder problems.
Sugar and simple carbohydrates – Sugar can increase the likelihood the gallbladder will form a gallstone.
Foods you might be allergic too – Gallbladder problems are potentially related to food allergies.
Pork and conventional meats – Pork and conventional grain-fed animals are high in fats that increase inflammation.
Conventional dairy products – These foods are pro-inflammatory and can cause your body to produce more gallstones.
High fat foods – Any food high in fat including healthy vegetables oils like olive oil can cause issues as well as healthy fats like almond butter.
Top 5 Natural Gallbladder Remedies:
Talk with your health professional to see if these options are right for you.
#1 Lipase Enzymes The enzyme lipase helps improve fat digestion and the use of bile.
#2 Bile Salts or Ox Bile
Bile salts and ox bile improve the breakdown of fats and can greatly improve gallbladder distress. Take 2 caps with meals.
#3 Milk Thistle Milk Thistle increases bile flow and aids the liver and gallbladder in detoxification.
#4 Turmeric Turmeric and its compound curcumin have anti-inflammatory properties and improves bile flow.
#5 Dandelion root Helps improve bile flow.
