Gallstones are small stone-like deposits that can form in your gallbladder and can range from miniscule to golf ball-sized. Gallstones can be painful, cause jaundice and indicate gallbladder cancer. If you have gallstones or are at risk for them, you can alter your diet to help prevent the gallstones from forming or reduce your associated symptoms. Don't change your diet before first consulting your physician or a registered dietitian.
Causes
Your gallbladder contains bile, which is comprised of salts, bilirubin, water and cholesterol. Gallstones typically occur when your gallbladder's lining becomes inflamed, or when the bile in your gallbladder has too much cholesterol, water absorption or absorption of bile salts, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can also develop gallstones from too much bilirubin in the bile, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Gallstones can stay in your gallbladder or become lodged in your bile duct, causing inflammation of your gallbladder or bile duct.
Diet
Eating a diet that consists of many fruits and vegetables, as well as other fiber-rich foods, may help reduce your risk of gallstones and prevent them from forming, MayoClinic.com says. You can also eat more unsaturated fats like fish instead of saturated fats from meats to help prevent gallstones . Maintaining a healthy body weight or losing weight if you're overweight and sticking to a low-fat diet can reduce your gallstone symptoms as well, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, you can increase your intake of nuts to reduce your risk of gallstones, states the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You can reduce your risk for gallstones by enriching your diet with vitamins C and E, as well as calcium, or by taking a supplement. People who are deficient in these nutrients tend to have a higher risk of gallstones.
Considerations
Although changing your diet to include more fiber and reduce saturated fats might help prevent gallstones, these dietary changes won't necessarily cure or treat existing gallstones, MayoClinic.com says. Altering your diet could reduce your risks for complications from gallstones, however. Still, you shouldn't forgo any conventional gallstone treatment while you're changing your diet.
Risks
Certain people are at a higher risk for developing gallstones. If you're a woman, 60 years of age or older, obese, Native American, Northern European or Mexican, you're at a higher risk for gallstones, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Certain medical conditions like diabetes, gallbladder or bile duct conditions and blood diseases can increase your gallstone risks. Prolonged intravenous feeding, liver cirrhosis, pregnancy and high estrogen levels can also contribute to gallstone formation, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Prevention/Solution
In addition to eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, you can help reduce your gallstone risks and symptoms by exercising and controlling your weight, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also, certain medications can promote gallstone formation. Try to avoid such drugs as octreotide, estrogen and ceftriaxone. These and cholesterol-lowering medications can increase your risks for gallstones. To prevent gallstones, you should also avoid fasting or sudden and rapid weight loss, especially from extreme calorie restriction, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center.
