Biliary colic and cholecystitis are in the spectrum of gallbladder disease. This spectrum ranges from asymptomatic gallstones to biliary colic, cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and cholangitis.
When gallstones temporarily obstruct the cystic duct or pass through into the common bile duct, gallstones become symptomatic and biliary colic develops. When the cystic duct or common bile duct becomes obstructed for hours or gallstones irritate the gallbladder, cholecystitis develops. Choledocholithiasis occurs when the stones become lodged in the common bile duct, resulting in possible cholangitis and ascending infections.
A diet low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber may help decrease the incidents of gallstones. Fiber helps keep the entire digestive system functioning properly, while a diet low in fat and cholesterol helps prevent the build up of cholesterol in the gallbladder. Diet and exercise is the best way to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Flush the gallbladder
A good way to keep the gallbladder flushed is by taking the juice of half a lemon with ¾ oz of olive oil and an 1/8 tsp of garlic once a day. Later in the day, finish the juice of the lemon. (all organic, olive needs to be extra virgin, not refined in any way)
Blackseed oil is also suggested as a dietary supplement to help flush the gallbladder to help prevent the buildup of sludge. The recommended dosage of blackseed oil for the treatment of gallstones is 250 g of ground black seed, 250 g of local raw unfiltered honey, and 1 teaspoon of black seed oil mixed thoroughly with half a cup of hot water. This should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
<3 Lecithin <3 Lecithin granules may help dissolve gallstones. The recommended dosage is two to three tablespoons daily. In order to consume an adequate dose liquid lecithin, which admittedly tastes horrible, can come to be tolerated if taken with a molasses.
Lecithin granules may be the easiest way to consume the gallstone remedy. Granules will not dissolve in a liquid, but they are much easier to consume than lecithin liquid when stirred into juice or milk. They can also be eaten as a topping on cold food.
Lecithin, or phosphatidylcholine, is one of the most abundant phospholipids, which are the structures that make up your cell membranes. Your body makes lecithin by breaking down the phosphatidylcholine in the foods you eat into choline and some phosphates, then building it up into lecithin for your own cells. Foods with a high amount of choline are also high in lecithin.
Foods containing Choline/Lecithin
Aim for at least 425 to 550 milligrams per day. Legumes are rich in lecithin, cooked beans, such as kidney or black, provide about 70 to 80 milligrams choline. Cooked Brussels sprouts and broccoli each provide more than 60 mg choline, and other green leafy vegetables have similar amounts. A large egg (free range organic) has 126 milligrams.
In addition, the following foods can help to naturally remove gall stones and sediment. These taken daily for months, in support of the gradual method, should remove even the biggest gall stones.
- Turmeric - About half teaspoon daily of the powder
- Raw Beetroot juice
- Radish - 6 a day
- Lime, Apple, Pear, Grapefruit - 1 a day
- Chamomile and Cleavers Tea
Turmeric
The main ingredient in Turmeric is curcumin. This ingredient is believed to be antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It is believed to improve the solubility of bile, making bile and its compounds, including those that form gallstones, easier to dissolve. A daily dose of turmeric, about ½ a teaspoon daily, can dissolve as many as 80% of gallstones.
Benefits of Raw Beetroot Juice, Pear Juice, and Apple Juice Extend to Gallbladder Function
In the event of gallbladder discomfort, it is a good idea to cut down on food consumption for a couple of days and add raw beetroot juice, pear juice, and apple juice to your diet. Beet juice is especially helpful because it also helps cleanse the liver.
To prevent the recurrence of gallstone symptoms, include a fresh, uncooked applesauce that includes shredded raw beets and 2 tablespoons of Olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
Milk thistle
Milk thistle has long been believed to be a cure for gallstones. It is actual the seed of the milk thistle which contains silymarin, a flavonoid believed to cure gallstones. Silymarin is supposed to help the gallbladder with the production of bile, which helps breaks down the components in the gallbladder than can lead to gallstones. Substances in milk thistle are also believed to aid in liver function, which is directly related to gallbladder function.
Simple Gall Bladder Flush One Day Method
Eat only organic or spray free apples on the day of the flush (or raw apple juice up to one pint) green apples are the most effective, but any type will help. No other food.
At bed time warm two thirds of a cup of virgin olive oil to body heat and mix with one third a cup of fresh raw lemon juice. The addition of a kidney bean sized piece of raw garlic finely sliced and added to the olive oil and lemon juice mixture will help further. Slowly sip the entire mixture, and then go straight to bed lying on your right side, with the right leg drawn up. In the morning stones will be passed in the stool.
This procedure may need to be repeated several times for complete clearance of the gall bladder and the liver. There is no need for an operation to remove the gall bladder.
Gallbladder Diet
Beets
Cucumbers
Green beans - are NOT the same as dried
Okra
Sweet potatoes
Avocados - a good way to get needed fats directly from food
Vinegars- all types
Garlic helps with liver cleansing but not processed types like flakes or powder. Some people have difficulty with it but is usually ok and even helpful. Just pay attention to your own body with this one.
Shallots
Tomatoes - ripe
Lemons (lemon juice in the morning with hot water helps to clean the liver)
Grapes and fresh organic grape juice
Apples, berries, papaya, pears
Omega 3 oils like flax or hemp. Use these with fresh lemon juice or vinegar on your salads. DO NOT COOK flax oil.
Vegetable juices - Beet and cucumber are especially helpful to gallbladder You can add other green vegetables like tender baby greens, swiss chard, dandelion greens, beet greens, celery, carrots, ginger, turmeric -- avoid the cabbage family)
Avoid all fruit juices except organic grape juice and organic apple (fresh, self-juiced is best). It is wise to dilute with water.
All the vegetables listed above for juicing are good. Use baby mixed organic greens for salads and avoid the bitter greens for now.
Fiber such as found in fruits and vegetables.
Foods to Avoid
Eggs (Research showed that eggs caused symptoms in up to 95% of patients. Try substituting flax seed gel in recipes that require eggs for the "glue". That's 1 TBSP ground flax seed to 3 TBSP hot water. Let cool and add.)
Pork
Onions
Fowl (turkey, chicken)
Dairy (milk, cheese, cream, butter)
Gluten (wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, etc.)
Corn
Beans and legumes
Oranges, grapefruit
Nuts
Trans fats, Hydrogenated, partially-hydrogenated oils
Margarine
Fried Foods
Saturated fats (even coconut oil until feeling better)
Red meats
Coffee, regular or decaf
Spicy foods
Chocolate
Ice cream
Black tea
Alcohol, beer, wine, liqueur
Fruit juice and sugary drinks
Tap water
Turnips
Cabbage, cauliflower
Oats (for some people)
Avoid all artificial sweeteners, sugar, preservatives, refined and bleached foods (like white flour)
Avoid smoking if possible as it can exacerbate the symptoms.
Avoid all possible food allergens.
Do not overeat. Do not eat under stress. Eat Fresh Foods ONLY. No packaged foods.
ORGANIC FOOD IS IMPORTANT
ORGANIC IS IMPORTANT - The liver is the root of the problem here, and the pesticides and herbicides used in commercial fruits and vegetables causes extra burden on the liver and therefore, the gallbladder.
Other Foods Helpful for Gallstones:
USE ORGANIC FOODS
Fresh vegetable juices as mentioned above (beet and cucumber especially)
Drink lots of water - very important
Garlic and garlic oil
Avocados
Artichokes
Ginger root
Coconuts
Grapes and freshly pressed grape juice (organic grapes only) are especially helpful
Apples particularly including apple juice
Apricots, berries, casaba melons, currants, figs, guavas, lemons, pears, prunes
Tumeric (organic)
Flax oil
Radishes help to dissolve gallstones but may cause some discomfort. Do not use them until your symptoms are gone and then only if they do not disagree with you.
Foods to Avoid for Gallstones:
Same list above for general gallbladder problems above. Take special note of the foods most likely to cause gallbladder attacks:
eggs, pork, gluten, onion, fowl, milk, cheese, butter and other dairy, coffee, grapefruit, oranges, corn, beans and nuts, alcohol, saturated fats, hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils
NOTE: green beans are not classified as beans.
In the US: Prevalence of cholelithiasis is affected by many factors, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, medical problems, and fertility. Between 10-20% of adults (approximately 20 million people) in the US have gallstones. Each year, only 1-3% of people with stones develop symptoms of gallstones.
Internationally: Racial or ethnic influences are important in gallbladder disease. People of Hispanic or northern European countries are more likely to have stones. African Americans are at decreased risk for gallstones unless they have a hematologic reason for stones (eg, sickle cell anemia). Asians with stones are more likely than other populations to have pigmented stones. In elderly Pima Indians, incidence of gallstones is approximately 75%.
Sex: The phrase "fair, female, fat, and fertile" summarizes the major risk factors for development of gallstones. Although gallstones and cholecystitis are more common in women, men with gallstones are more likely to develop cholecystitis than women with gallstones. Some oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement therapy may increase the risk of gallstones.
Age: Age increases the rate of gallstones, cholecystitis, and common bile duct stones. Elderly patients are more likely to go from asymptomatic gallstones to serious complications of gallstones without gallbladder colic. Children are more likely than adults to have acalculous gallstones. If stones exist, they are more likely pigmented stones from hemolytic diseases (eg, sickle cell diseases, spherocytosis, G-6-PD deficiency) or chronic diseases (eg, total parental nutrition, burns, trauma). Teenagers have the same etiologies of gallstones as adults, with a higher incidence in girls and during pregnancy.
Typical gallbladder colic is 1-5 hours of constant pain, most commonly in the epigastrium or right upper quadrant. Pain may radiate to the right scapular region or back. Peritoneal irritation by direct contact with the gallbladder localizes the pain to the right upper quadrant. Pain is severe, dull or boring, and constant (not colicky). Patients tend to move around to seek relief from the pain. Onset of pain develops hours after a meal, occurs frequently at night, and awakens the patient from sleep. Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, pleuritic pain, and fever.
Persistence of biliary obstruction leads to cholecystitis and persistent right upper quadrant pain. Character of pain is similar to gallbladder colic except that it is prolonged and lasts hours or days. Nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever are associated more commonly with cholecystitis.
Indigestion, belching, bloating, and fatty food intolerance are thought to be typical symptoms of gallstones; however, these symptoms are just as common in people without gallstones and frequently are not cured by cholecystectomy.
Most gallstones (60-80%) are asymptomatic at a given time. Smaller stones are more likely to be symptomatic than larger ones. Almost all patients develop symptoms prior to complications.
Symptoms of cholecystitis are steady pain in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Acute attack often is precipitated by a large or fatty meal.
Vital signs parallel the degree of illness. Patients with cholangitis are more likely to have fever, tachycardia, and/or hypotension. Patients with gallbladder colic have relatively normal vital signs. In a retrospective study, only 32% of patients with cholecystitis had fever. Fever may be absent.
If after experimentation with the above remedies over a 3 month period, you are still experiencing symptoms, you may want to consider whether there may be deeper underlying causes. There may be a degree of an auto-immune disorder.
