Nutrition for Gallstones: What Causes Gallstones and What Helps Against Them?

Gallstones are solid small lumps that can deposit in the bile. Usually, being overweight and a poor diet are responsible for the formation of gallstones. Since they can be very painful, it is worthwhile to start the right treatment early.

 

Gallstones are solid deposits in the bile; they can form in the gallbladder or bile duct. Their size ranges from cherry pits to golf balls. They consist of components of bile that should normally be dissolved in the bile. About 20% of all adults have gallstones.

 

Gallstones contain the dissolved components of bile. They deposit in the form of stones when the bile becomes too thick and can no longer dissolve its components. Over time, a milky to grainy paste turns into solid gallstones that settle in the bile. 

Most gallstones consist of cholesterol. Our body needs this substance for fat digestion, which is why cholesterol is produced in the bile. Accordingly, a diet high in fat promotes gallstones because it stimulates cholesterol production. Besides cholesterol, the bile pigment bilirubin is a common component of gallstones. It is formed as a breakdown product of hemoglobin. 

 

Gallstones often go undetected because they do not have to cause specific symptoms. Gallstones can cause abdominal pain, bloating, or flatulence. However, these symptoms can be caused by many digestive issues, not just gallstones.

Gallstones are usually discovered very late due to painful gallbladder colic. This pain occurs when a gallstone blocks a bile duct, causing bile to accumulate. Pain attacks follow, which can spread from the upper abdomen to the back and shoulders. They can last a few minutes or several hours. Vomiting is a common symptom during prolonged and painful attacks. Over time, gallbladder colic can lead to gallbladder inflammation because the gallbladder becomes irritated and bile expands.

 

Gallstones are usually treated with dietary changes. Besides genetic predispositions, poor eating habits are one of the main causes of gallstones. In particular, the following foods can promote gallstones:

• Calorie-dense foods
• Low-fiber foods
• Quickly digestible carbohydrates
• Processed foods
• Fatty foods
• Fried foods

Instead, you should focus on the following foods:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grain products
• Low-fat dairy products
• Legumes

In simple terms, you should avoid simple carbohydrates and instead focus on fiber-rich foods like whole grain products. A complete avoidance of fatty foods is not recommended because bile is produced to digest fat. If you consume very little fat, your body produces less bile, which increases the chance of gallstones. Industrial trans fats should be avoided, while natural plant-based fats are better. It is also unknown whether avoiding cholesterol in the diet has a positive effect on the risk of gallstones.

There is also some evidence that alcohol in the diet might reduce gallstones. However, this is not clearly proven, so we recommend following your doctor's advice in this matter.

It is important to note that gallstones cannot be dissolved through dietary changes. Gallstones cannot be naturally dissolved. Only specially designed medications can do this. However, dietary changes help prevent the formation of new gallstones and stop the growth of existing ones.

 

If gallstones cause problems like pain attacks, they are usually removed surgically. Thanks to modern minimally invasive methods, only tiny incisions in the skin are needed following the keyhole principle, without requiring, for example, a large abdominal cut. If the symptoms of gallstones are still moderate to mild, they can also be treated medically to avoid surgery. Medically, the active ingredient ursodeoxycholic acid can dissolve gallstones without surgery. You should discuss with your doctor which treatment is best suited for your case.

 

Gallstones are promoted by genetic factors and poor dietary habits. Apparently, it is low-fiber and calorie-dense diets that favor the formation of gallstones. With gallstones, dissolved components from bile leak out and form small stones, which grow larger over time and can then block the bile ducts.

The following foods should ideally be avoided if you have gallstones:

• Sugary foods
• Foods with simple carbohydrates like white flour
• Animal fats
• Industrial fats
• Sausage products and processed meat
• Alcohol in large amounts

If you have gallbladder pain, you should definitely see a doctor. Gallbladder pain often starts mildly and worsens over time, for example, because gallstones grow larger. Mild to moderate symptoms are often still treated with medication. Sometimes, for painful blockages of the bile ducts, only surgery helps, with minimally invasive procedures requiring only tiny skin incisions. You should discuss treatment options with your doctor to find the right approach for you.