Gallbladder Diet Foods & Supplements For Gallstone Pain
Gallbladder problems are a common frustration for many people in North America. Gallstones and related pain often emerge during middle to late adulthood, particularly among women, who are more susceptible to developing gallstones than men.
The gallbladder itself is a small pear-shaped organ tucked behind liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to store the cholesterol-rich bile that is secreted by the liver to help the body to break down and digest fat. The most common cause of gallbladder pain is gallstones, which are formed when bile contains excessive amounts of cholesterol and slows down in its function.
Luckily, there are ways to tackle the causes of gallstones and find gallbladder pain relief with natural supplements.
Generally, even those who have experienced gallbladder issues are not entirely certain what the function of the gallbladder is, and popular medical advice may diminish the importance of this little organ. It plays a key role in healthy digestion, however, and a ‘gallbladder diet’ along with natural supplements can offer prevention and relief of gallbladder pain.
What Does It Mean To Follow A Gallbladder Diet?
To follow a gallbladder diet would involve consuming foods, which help to provide gallbladder pain relief due to their easy digestibility
Here is a great place to start:
A diet rich in fiber, containing up to 30-40 grams of fiber per day, can significantly help reduce the risk of gallstones. Soaked/sprouted beans and legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables are all rich sources of fiber that support digestive functions.
Certain detoxifying foods like beetroot, artichoke and dandelion greens are particularly helpful as they help support liver health and can improve bile flow, which further breaks down fat.
Healthy fats are another important component of a gallbladder diet. Coconut oil contains one of the easiest forms of fat for the body to digest. It is recommended to consume healthy fats in small doses over the day to reap the benefits of their anti-inflammatory properties.
Those who follow a diet high in raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds tend also to have lower occurrence of gallstones. Diets which contain wild-caught fish also promote healthy liver and gallbladder function.
What About Supplements?
In addition to diet, there are numerous natural gallbladder supplements, which, when taken as directed, can also reduce pain and inflammation.
Milk thistle has been shown to increase bile flow as well as aid the liver and gallbladder in detoxification. It is recommended to take 150mg twice a day.
Two caps of lipase enzymes with meals can improve fat digestion and 500-1000mg of bile salts with meals is also cited as an effective method to improve the breakdown of fats and relieve gallbladder pain.
Supplement options include dandelion root as a natural supplement that has been used for centuries to improve digestive processes as well as support health of the liver. Barberry extract contains cleansing properties that can help to fight infection and GI related problems. 1000mg of turmeric is recommended daily for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Finally, mixing three drops of rosemary oil with a quarter teaspoon of coconut oil and rubbing over the gallbladder twice daily has been recommended as a means to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
In addition to following a gallbladder diet, and using natural supplements, maintaining an active lifestyle is always important as it helps to boost digestive function and keep your whole system in good, working order.
