1. Cut Out the Animal Fats
More than 80 percent of people in Europe and North America suffer from cholesterol gallstones versus pigment stones---which are seen in about 10 percent of the population. Usually pigment stones are found in individuals who have certain conditions that will predispose them to this type of gallstone. For cholesterol stones, changing your diet may help decrease your potential for gallstones, however dietary changes will do little to help with pigment stones. Cholesterol is secreted into the bile by the liver. Normally it is dissolved there, but when the dissolution doesn't happen, cholesterol gallstones can form. Animal fats in your diet increase the amount of cholesterol in your blood stream. Decreasing the red meat and other animal fats may help decrease your risk of gallstones as well as having the added benefit of keeping your arteries clean, reducing your risk of many cancers and improving your overall health.
2. Forgo the Trans fat
Trans fat is known to increase the so called "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and decrease the so called "good" cholesterol (HDL) in our blood. Because the majority of gallstones are cholesterol gallstones, decreasing your trans fat intake may decrease your cholesterol and therefore possibly prevent gallstones. Shortenings and some margarine may contain the dreaded trans fat that is found in so many of our foods like some cookies, crackers, chips and other snack food. Trans fat is neither beneficial for health or essential---in other words it serves no purpose to our bodies. Foods made with partially hydrogenated oil contain trans fats, so read labels. Worldwide, most health establishments suggest trace to no amount of trans fat in your diet.
3. No More Fried Foods
Foods that are fried are often fried using partially hydrogenated oils, which are---you guessed it---trans fat. Generally, foods that are fried in naturally occurring oils are considered less of a risk than those fried in trans fat. Eating more soluble fiber will help to fill you up as well as keep you healthy. Oats, barley, oatmeal, beans, peas, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables are all examples of soluble fiber that can, in fact, help lower your cholesterol. Try substituting some French fries for a cup of strawberries---you'll help prevent gallstones, decrease your calories and protect yourself from a host of other health problems.
The amount of cholesterol in your bile has no connection to your blood levels of cholesterol. Cholesterol-lowering medications will not affect the amount of excess undissolved cholesterol in your gallbladder and so will not alter the chance of gallstones forming. However, it is a general consensus that a diet full of fruits, vegetables, high fiber and low fat as well as reduced animal fats, trans fat and fried foods is beneficial in prevention of gallstones.
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