Developing problems with your gallbladder can be painful and alarming, but fortunately there is a way to restore the health and function of the gallbladder naturally and avoid the pain and expense of surgery. (However, you should always consult with your doctor to rule out any serious conditions affecting your health).
When it comes to restoring the function of the gallbladder, it's important to remember that your main goal should be improving digestion and liver function. With these two pieces in place, gallbladder problems should naturally resolve on their own.
So, how does one go about improving their digestion? I'm glad you asked! The health of the gut largely depends on the quality of your diet. In the case of the gallbladder, there are certain foods that have been found to vastly improve it's function, while other foods have been associated with gallbladder disease.
Many people experience great relief by following an elimination protocol which removes the inflammatory foods from the diet and focuses on nutrient dense foods instead. Let's dive into the Gallbladder Fix Protocol to discover the best foods to eat (and to avoid) for a healthy gallbladder.
The basis of the Gallbladder Fix Protocol is a diet high in fresh, whole foods and low in processed foods, poor quality fats and sugar. The Paleo diet is a great place to start when changing to a real foods diet since it eliminates the most inflammatory foods. However, you may find you need to eliminate certain foods that, while they are an acceptable part of the Paleo diet, they continue to trigger inflammation in your body. Eggs would be a great of example of this. While eggs from pastured hens can be a healthy food, they have also been found to be one of the most problematic foods for those who suffer with gallbladder attacks. It's best to avoid them while you are working on resetting your digestion and eliminating gallbladder problems.
The Top Foods To Avoid For Gallbladder Health
These foods contribute to inflammation in the body, including inflammation of the gallbladder. The
- Poor Quality Fats and Oils- These stress the liver and gallbladder and contribute to the formation of gallstones. Avoid seed oils, such as canola, corn, soy and vegetable oils. Also be on the lookout for partially hydrogenated oils that are often a part of processed foods.
- Dairy Products
- Eggs- Research has shown that avoiding allergenic foods eliminated gallbladder symptoms in patients. One of the most problematic foods was eggs. When study participants re-introduced eggs into the diet, nearly all of them experienced recurring gallbladder attacks.
- Sugar- This inflammatory food has an interesting way of affecting the gallbladder. Eating processed foods stresses the liver, which must convert excess sugars into fats for storage. At the same time, the liver is prompted to manufacture cholesterol- one of the main components of bile. In fact, too much cholesterol in the bile is the main reason for gallstone formation. Keep your cholesterol levels in check by avoid excess sugar intake.
- Gluten (and other grains)- Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have been highly correlated with gallbladder disease. It's best to avoid gluten containing grains if your gallbladder is giving you problems.
- Processed Foods- These foods are often just a combination of the other problem foods we've looked at- only all thrown together at once. Full of poor quality fats, sugar, dairy and gluten, processed foods are a recipe for inflammation- and an unhappy gallbladder. Avoid processed foods whenever possible and choose real, whole foods instead.
The Top Foods To Eat For Gallbladder Health
Remember! Fixing the gallbladder is all about improving digestion and liver function. These foods have been show to be especially beneficial for gallbladder problems.
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables- You really can't go wrong here. Load up on those fruits and veggies! The following have been found to be especially beneficial to the gallbladder: beets, including the leaves; bitter greens, such as endive, chicory, and dandelion leaves; radishes; lemons and limes.
- Healthy Fats- Your gallbladder needs healthy fats to function properly. The best choices are extra virgin olive oil, avocados and avocado oil, coconut oil, fatty fish, ghee, lard and tallow.
- Quality Protein- Good quality protein is important for a strong immune system and detoxification. Choose grass-fed beef and bison, free-range poultry, wild-caught fish and wild game.
- Bone broth- Healing to the gut lining, bone broth promotes healthy digestion.
- Herbs and Spices- Turmeric, ginger, peppermint and milk thistle are beneficial to the liver and gallbladder. Try adding these herbs and spices into your cooking or drinking teas made from them.
