Many people around the world have digestive issues. But when those issues surround pain on the right side after eating, trouble digesting fats, bowel issues and nausea, the gallbladder is likely to blame. Did you know that about 300,000 gallbladder removals are performed annually? Despite what you might have been told, the gallbladder IS an essential organ, and it DOES cause issues when removed. So are all of these surgeries even necessary or can you fix the issues naturally? Let's dive in...
IMPORTANCE OF THE GALLBLADDER
Your gallbladder stores and releases bile to break down fats. It plays a crucial role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). The bile that stores in the gallbladder binds to fat-soluble toxins and leads them to exit the body. It's critical for liver health and detoxification, along with the production of hormones and neurotransmitters.
Some interesting stats:
25% of Americans have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
20% of Americans will develop gallstones
40% of people have biliary sludge (this happens when toxins enter the body and slow down the release of bile, making it sluggish)
So what are some common reasons for issues in the gallbladder?
LIVER STAGNATION
The liver is crucial for gallbladder health as it produces bile, the fluid stored in the gallbladder. It also filters and detoxifies harmful compounds that could impact gallbladder function. When we have a lot of toxins or pathogens in the body, the liver is over stressed, over worked, and can become stagnant. A stagnant liver causes biliary "sludge" and eventually gallstones.
You can support the liver by:
Limiting alcohol
Exercising regularly
Using liver herbs like milk thistle, dandelion root and turmeric
Using NAC or glutathione to support liver detoxification
Castor oil packs over the liver
IMPAIRED BILE FLOW
Impaired bile flow can lead to the formation of gallstones. Poor bile flow disrupts fat digestion, can cause acid reflux, pain after eating fatty foods, constipation, nutrient deficiencies and poor absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (to mention a few). Without proper bile flow, the gallbladder can become inflamed, infected or dysfunctional.
You can support bile flow by:
Including foods that promote bile production and flow like beets, artichokes, celery and radishes
Consume healthy fats in moderation, like avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds, to stimulate the release of bile during digestion
Incorporating bitter foods and herbs like dandelion root, gentian, arugula and kale into your diet to stimulate bile production
Use TUDCA and/or ox bile
GUT INFECTIONS
Removing gut infections should be the first step in fixing gallbladder issues. Gut infections can contribute to these issues through inflammation, bile duct obstruction and disruption of the gut microbiome. Infections like Salmonella, mold/fungus/yeast, Helicobacter pylori and certain parasites can impact the gallbladder, leading to inflammation, gallstone formation and impaired gallbladder function.
You can help remove gut infections by:
Opening drainage pathways
Supporting gut motility
Eradicating infections with targeted protocols
Other helpful tips for gallbladder function and bile flow:
If stomach acid is low, raising it with things like ACV, hot lemon water before meals, betaine HCL and spreading meal times out evenly across the day
Address deficiencies
Balance your blood sugar
Detox from environmental toxins/mold/etc.
GALLSTONES? WHAT'S NEXT?
Ways to help break down and eliminate gallstones without surgery:
Castor oil packs over the liver area nightly
Liver/gallbladder flush (1 day protocol, 1 week prep) this must be done under the careful watch of a practitioner and should not be the first step. This flush has caused many of my clients to pass HUNDREDS of stones!
Increase calcium in the diet, remove high oxalate foods (eg.raw spinach)
If you choose to remove the gallbladder, your liver bile ducts will still produce bile, it just will not have a storage sac. That is why it's IMPERATIVE to get the bile flowing after surgery on a daily basis!! After removal, the number one thing I recommend to my clients is TUDCA and/or Ox Bile before any whole food meal. This helps to flush the bile out of the liver (now directly into the small intestine) aiding in digestion, absorption and toxin removal. Take it a few minutes before eating to get the best benefits! The TUDCA I suggest is from Cellcore Biosciences. You can create an account using that link and my Patient Direct Code: f5sm3NtA. This has to be a staple every single day moving forward to avoid any further complications.
It's also important to note that after removal, the root cause that was causing the issues in the gallbladder has still not been addressed, so refer to the above information to make sure you tackle the root cause, or you will eventually have other issues down the road with the liver, pancreas, gut and more! Functional lab testing and working with a practitioner (such as myself) can be extremely helpful in determining/overcoming your root causes and saving yourself from an unnecessary surgery!
With love,
Brie
† DISCLAIMER: The contents in this post are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to cure, treat, mitigate or diagnose any medical condition or disease. Consult your physician and follow all safety instructions before beginning any exercise program or using any supplement, nutrition plan or meal replacement product, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have any unique or special medical conditions.