Must Have Supplementation After Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder Surgery
Perhaps you tried to change your diet and use non-invasive treatment options but your doctor advised gallbladder removal and now you need to know how you can have the healthiest digestive system possible, without it.

There are extreme cases where gallbladder health cannot be restored and acute cholecystitis, pancreatic inflammation or infection may indicate removing the gallbladder to save someone’s life. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that the digestive process with remain unchanged after gallbladder removal and that the gallbladder is an, “unnecessary organ”. This is only partially true as we can certainly live without the gallbladder, however, overall health and nutrition may change due to its absence and GI problems such as frequent diarrhea, gas, bloating and pain may remain an ongoing problem. It is possible to develop gallstones in the liver and when underlying health issues are not resolved, gallbladder removal will unfortunately not represent a “fix”. The good news is, there are steps you can take to help make up for what you are missing.

A healthy gallbladder plays an important role in digestion and its absence affects many areas of health and digestion. The gallbladder typically ensures that correct amounts of bile are released into the small intestine to correspond strategically with the food we eat. When the gallbladder is removed, the liver will continue to produce bile but it leaks into the intestines in a continuous trickle, regardless of whether there is food in the stomach and regardless of its fat content. The concentration, volume and chemical components of bile are no longer stored and regulated precisely. This has a negative effect on how we digest fats and eventually, can lead to fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, poor cholesterol metabolism, and a lack of essential fatty acids due to poor absorption of dietary fat.

Many people report ongoing digestive upset after surgery and while pain, diarrhea and bloating can be temporary, in other cases it is not and will require careful use of elimination diets to help reset and track the offending foods.

To ensure optimal digestive function and nutrient absorption, people who have had their gallbladder surgically removed will need to take some form of bile salts and enzymes or other supplements with each meal. Without these aids, the bile which reached the small intestine from the liver will not increase in volume and potency appropriately when needed for high fat meals. Not only does this lead to unpleasant abdominal symptoms, but those fats will not be effectively absorbed and their energy used without help. The production of certain hormones, brain function, mood, tissue health and many areas of our physiology suffer without these essential fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

With obesity and food allergies on the rise in North America, the cases of gallbladder disease are also on the rise and over 750,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually in the US. Many health experts believe that the majority of these are unnecessary as they do not address the cause of the problem but only a symptom. As well, once the gallbladder is gone, careful adjustments to diet and supplementation become a lifelong necessity for health and comfort.

Supplements After Gallbladder Surgery

For Vegetarians

For those that would desire a vegetarian supplement, adding choline is essential as are enzymes such as pancreatin and lipase that can assist with digesting fats and preventing GI symptoms. Enzyme formulas that are high in lipase are useful and these are available in most health food stores. When you combine the above with herbs such as dandelion root, milk thistle, and turmeric that are known to help stimulate bile production, the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins is enhanced since these herbs and enzymes have been used by herbalists to help with digestive problems. The above will mimic the digestive juices required for the proper assimilation of fats in vegetarians.

Non-Vegetarian Supplements

Ox bile is a non-vegetarian supplement that is derived from a bovine sources and is taken just a few minutes before eating a meal or after taking supplements containing fat. If you take too much, the usual result is diarrhea. If that happens, just reduce your dosage.

Fermented Foods And Drinks

Fermented foods and drinks have long been healing and helpful for digestive health. They help to keep liver and intestines functioning well, populate the gut with good microorganisms and ease the discomfort of gas and digestive upset. Examples of fermented foods are goat or cow milk kefir, Coconut water kefir (also can be done with regular spring water), fermented vegetables. All of these can be made at home after obtaining the grains required to start the cultures. These are available from fellow enthusiasts in most cities for free.

B-12, Vitamin E, Vitamin D

You may want to increase dietary sources of certain vitamins. Vitamin D is extremely important for cell function. It is a potent cancer inhibitor and bone-builder. Vitamin A is also a key anti-cancer, healthy cell and immune function vitamin. Vitamin K is essential for blood health and function, and vitamin E is another immune-boosting, antioxidant. Natural food sources of these fat-soluble vitamins should be increased after gallbladder removal and bile salts as well as herbal bitters can be taken to increase bile and maximize their absorption. B 12 requires a lot of stomach acid to absorb and may require supplementation as well after gallbladder removal. Without sufficient B12, you may notice a lack of energy, brain fog, weakness and depression.

Essential Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are also key for mood and brain function as well as healthy skin and tissues. High-quality fats–especially omega-3 fats — are essential for good health and if you don’t have a gallbladder you will have an impaired ability to absorb them. Certain fats are easier than others for people to digest after gallbladder removal surgery. Coconut oil doesn’t require bile acids for its absorption, and it is rapidly absorbed in the upper part of the small intestine therefore it is not only very nutritious but easy on the gut and not likely to cause discomfort.

Periodic Cleansing

Even without the gallbladder one can still form gallstones in the liver, especially if there is consumption of processed foods, junk food and excessive consumption of protein in the diet. That is why after gallbladder surgery, cleansing is more important than before surgery.

The Pulverexx Protocol is a program for the dissolution of gallstones and accumulation of fatty deposits and toxins in the liver and gallbladder. Because the liver is a filter, it becomes imperative that it is cleansed on a periodic basis. The Pulverexx Protocol can assist this process by dissolving cholesterol and calcified deposits.

Must Have Supplementation After Gallbladder Surgery