Gallbladder health

What does the gallbladder do?

The gallbladder is a small, but powerful pouch-like organ that sits just under your liver. Its role is to store and release bile, a greenish-yellow fluid produced by the liver, which helps your digestive system break down fats.  Its proper functioning is a fundamental cornerstone of health. Despite its importance, it is often overlooked as something that needs to be taken care of. If the gallbladder isn’t functioning properly, the flow of bile will be affected, which is very problematic as bile plays a vital role in our health.

Here are the two main purposes of bile:

1.

Digestion and absorption of fats. Bile acts as an emulsifier to break down large fat globules into smaller droplets, so that lipase, the fat digesting enzyme can get to work to break them into molecules small enough to be absorbed through the intestinal wall. Bile is also needed for the proper absorption of fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A, D, E & K). 

2.

Detoxification – bile is needed to carry away toxins and metabolic waste products. Bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones and environmental toxins are all secreted into bile for elimination. The bile binds to these waste products/toxins and eliminates them from the body via the stool. 

What problems are linked with bile deficiency?

Bile is produced by the liver so any impairment to the liver can cause a decrease in bile production. Additionally, as bile is stored in the gallbladder, any problem with the gallbladder (e.g gallstones or biliary sludge) can lead to bile deficiency or poor bile flow.  

Digestive symptoms

A lack of bile can lead to digestive symptoms such as gas and bloating due to improper breakdown of fats. It can also cause changeable bowel movements –  constipation can result as bile acids have a natural laxative effect, or fatty, greasy, lighter coloured stools due to fats ending up in the stool rather than being absorbed and utilised by the body.  

Nutritional deficiencies

A lack of bile can also lead to deficiencies in fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A, D, E and K), which can have far reaching effects on many areas of health including energy, immune resilience, hormones, skin health and gut health.

SIBO/ SIFO

Bile also acts as an antimicrobial agent to prevent bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. If there is not enough bile then bacteria can get a foothold, and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth) can result, which can lead to a multitude of unpleasant symptoms. 

Gallbladder removal

Gallbladder problems, if left untreated, can lead to a need for gallbladder removal. Approximately 60,000 gallbladder removal surgeries take place every year, many of which can be avoided if strategies are put in place early enough to improve the health and functioning of the gallbladder.

Anoushka’s diligence, knowledge and insight have all come together to help create the perfect healing plan for me. I would and will recommend her to anyone seeking natural healing as I know they will be in the best hands

Harriet

What are some of the symptoms linked to bile defiency?

Many people don’t realise how many of their symptoms can be traced back to a lack of bile. 

Here are some of the symptoms linked to bile deficiency and gallbladder dysfunction:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Gas
  • Bad breath
  • Changeable bowel movements – constipation or greasy, pale, foul smelling stools
  • Back pain
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Dry skin
  • Acne
  • Weakened immune system
  • SIBO/ SIFO
  • Any symptom related to a defiency in vitamins A, D, E or K
  • High cholesterol

How can nutritional therapy help?

Working on your diet  can have a huge impact on your liver and gallbladder health and your ability to produce adequate amounts of free flowing bile. There are many foods that are supportive, such as beetroot, ginger, garlic, lemon, berries and any food with a bitter quality, such as broccoli, rocket, artichokes and turmeric. Adequate hydration is also needed as bile is made up of 95% water.  There are also many foods that are problematic, leading to sludgey, thickened bile and an increased risk of gallstones. These include fried foods, refined vegetable oils, sugar and refined carbohydrates.  

It is also important to identify and what the underlying cause of your gallbladder dysfunction is. Some of the main causes include:

  1. Blood sugar and insulin fluctuations – a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to high insulin levels and insulin resistance, which is linked with gallbladder issues. 
  2. Stress – chronic  stress is linked with gallbladder issues and increased gallstone formation.  
  3. Oestrogen dominance – excess oestrogen tends to increase the amount of cholesterol in the bile, which can lead to thickened, sludgey bile and an increased risk for developing gallstones. We can develop oestrogen dominance due to hormone replacement therapy, the oral contraceptive pill or exposure to xenooestrogens (chemicals that have an oestrogen-like effect) from our food and environment.  

Through a combination of dietary and lifestyle change and targeted supplementation it is possible to make a significant difference to the health of your gallbladder. Working preventatively and proactively can help you to get rid of unpleasant symptoms, improve your overrall state of health and decrease the likelihood of getting to the point where your gallbaldder needs to be removed. Conversely, if your gallbladder has already been removed, there is much that can be done to make sure your body is still functioning optimally without it.

I had major surgery recently and the consultant was astonished at the speed of my recovery. Anoushka’s encouragement, support and advice  is truly life- changing. Highly recommended

Steve

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