Grapefruit has several connections to the gallbladder. D-limonene, found in oil extracted from the rinds of citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, may prove helpful in getting rid of gallstones in your gallbladder. Grapefruit juice may be part of a gallbladder cleanse, an alternative remedy used to get rid of gallstones. If you consume grapefruit while taking birth control pills, you can increase your chances of developing gallbladder disease.
D-Limonene and Gallstone Treatments
In an article published in “Alternative Medicine Review” in September 2007, author J. Sun explained the relationship between D-limonene — found in oil from citrus fruits such as limes, oranges, lemons and grapefruits — and the gallbladder. According to Sun, the D-limonene found in grapefruit oil has the ability to dissolve cholesterol. Since gallstones contain cholesterol, Sun says that D-limonene has been used clinically to dissolve them. Traditional treatment for gallstones includes a drug called ursodeoxycholic acid. Other therapies, including removal of your gallbladder, may prove necessary. Talk to your doctor before trying grapefruit as a remedy for gallstones.
Gallbladder Cleanse
A gallbladder cleanse involves consuming olive oil, some herbs and fruit juice such as grapefruit juice in hopes of clearing your gallbladder of gallstones. The theory is that the homemade cleanse can dissolve gallstones and stimulate your gallbladder to eject the stones into your stool, helping your body to be rid of them. But Dr. Michael Picco, a gastroenterologist at MayoClinic.com, says research does not support the use of grapefruit for eliminating gallstones. Side effects of performing a gallbladder cleanse with grapefruit juice include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Birth Control, Grapefruit and Gallbladder Disease
Women who take birth control pills are at an increased risk of developing gallbladder disease, which may involve gallstones or inflammation of your gallbladder. This risk increases if you take birth control pills with grapefruit, as grapefruit can increase the concentration of birth control pills in your bloodstream. Grapefruit prevents the pills from getting properly metabolized, so you can end up with an excessive amount of birth control hormones in your system, increasing your risk for side effects. If you combine grapefruit with birth control pills, additional side effects include blood clots, liver tumors, heart attack and stroke.
Other Drug Interactions
If you take any kind of medication, talk to your doctor about whether you can safely take it with grapefruit. Grapefruit interferes with the metabolism of a long list of drugs, including calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and antihistamines. Some but not all drugs depend on your CYP34A enzyme to break them down so they can exit your body. Grapefruit reduces the effectiveness of your CYP34A enzyme. If you combine grapefruit with a medication dependent on your CYP34A enzyme, you may end up with an overdose of the medication in your system. Drinking a single glass of grapefruit juice substantially slows the metabolism of affected drugs, according to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.
References
- “Alternative Medicine Review”; D-Limonene: Safety and Clinical Applications; J. Sun; Sept. 12 2007
- Florida Chemical Company: What is D-Limonene?
- MayoClinic.com: Gallbladder Cleanse: A 'Natural' Remedy for Gallstones?; Michael F. Picco; Feb. 26 2010
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Birth Control Pills
- The People's Pharmacy; Graedons' Guide to Grapefruit Interactions; 2002
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallbladder Disease; Feb 4 2010
- The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide: Grapefruit and Medication: A Cautionary Note; Feb. 2006
- “The Sun”; Killer Grapefruit Alert To Slimmers; Emma Morton; April 3 2009
- “The New York Times”; Experts Reveal the Secret Powers of Grapefruit Juice; Nicholas Bakalar; March 21 2006
