Diet in Gallbladder Stones

Diet in  Gallbladder Stones

The gallbladder contracts & pushes the bile into the common bile duct that carries it to the small intestine.The gallbladder concentrates bile formed in the liver and stores until needed for digestion of fats. Bile contains water, cholesterol, fats, bile salts, proteins & bilirubin. Bile salts break up fats & bilirubin, give bile & stool a yellowish color. If the liquid bile contains too much of cholesterol ,bile salts or bilirubin, under certain conditions  can harden into stones.

There are two types of gallstones. Cholesterol stones which  are yellow-green in color & Pigment stones  that are  small, dark stones made of bilirubin . Patient may experience upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting & flatulence.

Treatment is dietary,medical& surgery. Prevention is the key word. Maintain ideal body weight by eating a balanced diet. Excess calories is the risk factor for development of gallbladder stones. Obese & overweight patients should try & reduce weight .Do not avoid all fats as they contain essential nutrients required by the body. Foods containing cholesterol like egg yolk,organ meats like kidney, liver, brains should be avoided. High fiber diet is recommended as it can reduce high cholesterol in the blood.

One can incorporate 1 table spoon of wheat bran in  daily breakfast cereal. That will enhance fiber content in the diet.3-4 servings of any seasonal fruit is better than taking juice  made from these.3-4 servings of vegetables will provide enough fiber. Use olive oil ,lemon juice or vinegar on  salads .Avoid all fried foodstuff. Refined vegetable oils should replace saturated fats that is hard margarines & butter Intake of .15 -30 ml. Of total oil per day is recommended.