Although it's not clear what causes the formation of gallstones, diet likely plays a role, particularly when it comes to prevention. Certain dietary factors are thought to influence your risk factors. It appears that your intake of fat is one of them. Unhealthy fats tend to increase your risk, whereas healthier fats have the reverse effect. Since fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acid, its inclusion in your diet may help prevent the formation of gallstones. It won't, however, dissolve gallstones once they've formed; so another treatment option is often necessary. Talk to your doctor before taking this or any other supplement to prevent or treat gallstones.
Gallstones
Before getting into the potential benefit of fish oil, it's important to touch on the formation of gallstones. Gallstones usually form as a result of bile. If your bile contains too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin or doesn't empty fully from the gallbladder, you're far more likely to develop gallstones. When allowed to accumulate in the gallbladder, these substances can harden, resulting in small deposits that can lead to pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen or between the shoulder blades.
Fish Oil
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, diets containing omega-3 fatty acids, particularly those found in fish oil, can lower the risk of gallstones. It appears that this fatty acid in fish oil helps the gallbladder empty more efficiently. If excess cholesterol, excess bilirubin or bile isn't allowed to sit in the gallbladder, you reduce the risk of gallstones.
Evidence
A study published in the April 2006 "Journal of Nutrition" supports this claim. Those participants taking fish oil experienced an increase in bile acid synthesis as well as altered bile acid distribution. When you experience a decrease in bile acid synthesis, you're at a far greater risk of developing gallstones, so the increase may prove beneficial. The study, however, was only conducted on people with hypertriglyceridemia --- otherwise known as high triglycerides, a form of fat in the bloodstream. Further research is necessary to determine if the same effects hold true for those individuals without this condition.
Warning
According to the National Institutes of Health, fish oil is generally considered safe. It can, however, lead to side effects, most of which are gastrointestinal in nature. You may experience heartburn, bad breath, nausea, loose stools and gas from its use. It's also possible to suffer a rash and nosebleeds. Taking doses higher than 3 g a day may affect the ability of your blood to clot. Always talk to a doctor before taking fish oil to prevent --- or treat, for that matter --- gallstones or any other medical condition.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Gallstones; July 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease -- Prevention; June 2009
- MedlinePlus; Fish Oil; February 2011
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Fish Oil Increases Bile Acid Synthesis in Male Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia; I.J. Jonkers, et al.; April 2006
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