Dietary Strategies After Gallbladder Removal

Post-Surgical Repercussions

Your liver secretes bile, a digestive fluid that helps break down ingested fats. The gallbladder normally stores and releases bile when necessary to assist fat digestion. After gallbladder removal surgery, the liver continues to secrete bile and release it into the small intestine. The absence of the gallbladder can cause bile release to become erratic, which in turn can provoke pain, discomfort and diarrhea after meals, especially high-fat meals.

Recommended Dietary Strategy

Patients post-surgery are advised to consume small meals throughout the day to help the body through the transition from relying on the gallbladder to assist digestion. Consuming small meals throughout the day encourages the body to create smaller amounts of bile at one time. Compose meals of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and small amount of lean proteins such as nonfat dairy, chicken, turkey or fish. Avoid caffeinated beverages such as soda, greasy foods and very sweet foods, which can lead to diarrhea after gallbladder surgery.

Recommended Fat Intake

Patients are advised to avoid high-fat foods such as fast food, fat-laden gravies and sauces and fried foods. These foods can overtax bile production. Minimize bile production by eating foods with 3 grams fat or less per serving. Although you need to read nutrition labels to be certain of a food's fat content, well-known low-fat foods include fat-free ice cream, plain low-fat yogurt, extra-lean ground beef, egg whites and trimmed pork loin.

Considerations

It is wise to take a probiotic supplement every day to better manage discomfort and pain associated with gallbladder removal surgery, the beneficial bacteria in probiotic supplements can help the body better digest food.  When you schedule a consultation to discuss your condition, we will be glad to recommend probiotics that we have found to be the most effective.

A Caution

Do not use a post-gallbladder removal surgery diet on your own. Speak to your doctor about incorporating this diet into your recovery regimen before adopting it to prevent food-related complications resulting from your surgery.

 

There isn't a set diet people should follow after gallbladder removal because the guidelines depend on the individual.

When the gallbladder is removed, bile is less concentrated and it drains continuously into the intestine. This affects digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. How much of a problem it is varies from person to person. With time, the body often adjusts and becomes better at digesting fatty foods.

The amount of fat eaten at one time also factors into the equation. Smaller amounts of fat are easier to digest. On the other hand, large amounts can remain undigested and cause gas, bloating and diarrhea.

General advice for avoiding problems after you've had your gallbladder removed include:

·                     Eat smaller, more frequent meals. This may ensure a better mix with available bile. Include small amounts of lean protein, such as poultry, fish and nonfat dairy, at every meal, along with vegetables, fruit and whole grains.

·                     Go easy on fat. Avoid high-fat foods, fried and greasy foods, and fatty sauces and gravies. Instead, choose nonfat or low-fat foods. Read labels and look for foods with 3 grams of fat or less a serving.

·                     Gradually increase the fiber in your diet. This can help normalize bowel movements by reducing incidents of diarrhea or constipation. However, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to slowly increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks.

·                     Be aware that after gallbladder surgery some people find that the following are difficult to digest: caffeinated beverages and dairy products.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are severe and don't diminish or if you lose weight and become weak.

Cholesterol is Still Needed for Bile After Gallbladder Surgery

It is very important thing to realize after gallbladder surgery that you still need cholesterol to produce bile which assists with the digestion of regular long chain fats and oils.  Note that short or medium chain triglycerides like coconut or palm oil do not require bile for digestion.  Cholesterol is required for the production of bile and the very foods that have sufficient and healthy quantities of cholesterol are those that are, you guessed it, quite fatty, like liver, egg yolks, cream, and butter.  Avoiding fat altogether after gallbladder surgery is potentially going to compound problems with digesting fat in the long run as you won’t be getting the healthy, unprocessed cholesterol you need to produce bile!

Bitters Stimulate Bile Production After Gallbladder Surgery

Once you are comfortable with the fact that you can and should eat fat after gallbladder surgery and that it is wise to do so in order to provide your liver with the raw materials necessary for bile production, the next step is to “train” your liver to produce the bile you need at the proper times to digest the fats you eat with your meals.  Eating at regular intervals that your body can adjust to can go a long way toward this goal. 

If a regular routine for consuming your fats does not prove helpful after a period of time or you are temporarily off schedule for whatever reason, use of herbal bitters can be used in conjunction.

Bitters are herbal extracts that are rich in minerals.  They are an ancient tonic for stimulating the liver to produce bile.  Traditional Asian cultures have long valued bitters not only for their digestive benefit but also for their cleansing properties which promote increased strength and healing.  A single teaspoon of bitters in a small amount of water in the morning and in the evening should be sufficient to stimulate your liver to produce adequate amounts of bile.

If you still have digestive issues with fats after gallbladder surgery, you can use a bile salts supplement to assist you.  It is always best to encourage the body to do its job unassisted if at all possible.

The important thing to keep in mind is that your need for healthy, unprocessed fats does not change after gallbladder surgery.  You still need these fats for optimal health and so finding a way to consume them comfortably is of paramount importance.  The fat soluble activators A, D, and K2 supercharge mineral absorption into the tissues as well so avoiding fat is the wrong approach.  It will likely contribute to a mineral starved state and other deficiencies and health challenges over time.

Fat is a critical nutrient that you cannot do without and still enjoy vibrant health.  Finding a successful strategy for consuming foods with the fats you need is the best approach after gallbladder surgery – not avoiding them as recommended by conventional medicine.

At Living Proof Institute we have many recommendations that you will find beneficial to help restore your body to optimal vigor and balance, please contact us for a consultation to learn more.

Overview and Function of the Gallbladder

The Essentials

At Living Proof Institute, we wish to provide you with basic knowledge of the gallbladder and its function, some of the terms may seem a bit technical, but rest assured, by the time you have finished exploring this website, most of these terms will become familiar and you will gain valuable understanding so you make knowledgeable decisions regarding your treatment options.

[Very cool graphic widget at source: http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/gallbladder]

The Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped, hollow structure located under the liver and on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a yellow-brown digestive liquid produced by the liver. The gallbladder is part of the biliary tract. The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile that is not immediately used for digestion. When food enters the small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released, signaling the gallbladder to contract and send bile into the small intestine through the common bile duct. The bile helps the digestive process by emulsifying fats and neutralizing acids in partially-digested food. An excess of cholesterol, bilirubin or bile salts can cause gallstones to form. Gallstones are small, hard deposits inside the gallbladder that are formed when the stored bile crystallizes.  A person with gallstones will rarely feel any symptoms until the gallstones reach a certain size, or if the gallstone obstructs the bile duct.  Surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the most common way to treat gallstones.  It is believed by many physicians that the gallbladder is not absolutely necessary for health and survival, as bile can reach the small intestine in other ways.

Common Problems

Some problems associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, gallbladder attack and gallbladder disease. Gallbladder pain is usually caused by biliary colic, gallstones, cholecystitis, pancreatitis and cholangitis.

Gallstones

Gallstones are solidified particles of substances in the bile. They are made of a combination of bile salts, cholesterol and bilirubin, and can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.  

Gallstones can be painful, and cause obstruction, depending on where the obstruction is, it causes a variety of problems: gallbladder obstruction (cholecystitis), biliary tree obstruction (jaundice) and pancreatic duct obstruction (pancreatitis).  Gallstones can block the gallbladder ducts so that bile cannot reach the small intestine as effectively, which may prevent the gallbladder from doing its job and can lead to other gallbladder diseases.  While most gallstones pass on their own, some require a minor procedure or even surgery.  

Gallstones can cause sudden pain that is called a gallbladder attack, usually the result of the gallstone blocking the bile ducts, increasing pressure in the gallbladder. They usually occur soon after eating, especially heavy meals. These attacks can last from one to several hours or as little as several minutes. Symptoms of a gallbladder attack include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and pain primarily in the upper right side of the abdomen. Pain may be acute or dull, and may be accompanied by jaundice.  

Gallbladder disease

There are several types of gallbladder disease:

Cholecystitis is the most common type of gallbladder disease, it is an inflammation of the gallbladder caused by gallstones obstructing the ducts to the small intestine. In addition to upper right abdominal pain, symptoms include fever, sensitivity in the abdominal area, nausea and vomiting.  Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, this can often be managed by rest and antibiotics, but for severe cases, surgery is the definitive treatment for most physicians. 

After several attacks of pain, chronic cholecystitis may occur. This involves the gallbladder shrinking and losing its function.

Choledocholithiasis is the presence of at least one gallstone in the common bile duct, it can block the flow of bile and cause the gallbladder to become inflamed.

Acalculous gallbladder disease occurs without the presence of gallstones, when the gallbladder muscles or valve are not working correctly, and is often found in patients who are suffering from other serious disorders.

Cholangitis is inflammation in the common bile duct. The most common cause is gallstones becoming lodged in the bile duct, though the condition can also be caused by bacterial infections, blockages caused by medical procedures, and tumors. 

Gallbladder cancer is relatively rare, and can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other gallbladder ailments (nausea, vomiting, jaundice, fever).

Gallbladder polyps are growths in the gallbladder that are usually harmless and carry no symptoms, but they can occasionally be a risk factor for gallbladder cancer.

Gangrene results from inadequate blood flow and can develop in the gallbladder if acute cholecystitis is left untreated. Symptoms include: confusion, fever, gas in tissues under the skin, feeling ill, low blood pressure and persistent pain. 

Abscesses occur when the gallbladder becomes inflamed with pus. Like gangrene, it can occur as a complication of acute cholecystitis.

Gallbladder surgery and removal

Doctors often recommend removing the gallbladder through surgery. If the problem does not involve gallstones, antibiotics are often the first treatment. But if the problem persists, the gallbladder will often be surgically removed.  

The most common and least invasive method of gallbladder removal is laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon makes three or four small holes in the belly, inserts a laparoscope — a long tube with a camera — and then removes the gallbladder with tiny surgical tools. 

If laparoscopic surgery cannot be performed, the doctor may remove the gallbladder through open abdominal surgery, both forms of surgery are done under general anesthesia.

At Living Proof Institute, we believe that removal of the Gallbladder is the last resort, not the first choice and there are other less invasive means to treat your symptoms and restore your health.  Begin with a consultation visit to learn more about our non-surgical options to resetting your gallbladder function.

How to Reduce Your Risk of Gallstones

There is no guaranteed way to prevent gallstones, but there are many things you can do to lower your risk.  By maintaining a healthy weight, you may be able to prevent gallstones and other gallbladder problems from occurring.

Obesity is a dominant factor in a person's health and increases the risk of stone formation.  If you are overweight or obese, the best thing you can do for your health and to prevent gallstones is to lose weight.

Preventing Gallstones: Control Your Weight

[INSERT A LINK TO WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTAL THAT THE DOCTOR RECOMMENDS]

However, avoid rapid weight loss such as occurs with crash diets, as that can actually trigger gallstones. Weight loss should be slow and steady — focus on losing a pound or two per week until you reach your goal.

In addition, weight cycling — frequent weight loss followed by weight gain — can also cause gallstones, so do your best to keep your weight off once you lose it. Ursodiol (Actigall), usually used to dissolve gallstones, may be prescribed for people who need to lose weight rapidly, in order to prevent the formation of gallstones. Similarly, orlistat (Xenical), which is used to treat obesity, may help prevent gallstones during weight loss by reducing bile acids, which can contribute to gallstone formation.

Preventing Gallstones: Eat Healthfully and Exercise

Diet  [I SUGGEST WE LINK HERE TO AN ARTICLE ON A SPECIFIC DOCTOR RECOMMENDED DIET- PERHAPS EVEN INCLUDE A FEW RECIPES OR RECIPE LINKS] and exercise play an important role in gallbladder disease. But to prevent gallstones, you don't have to subsist on fruits and veggies alone. Here is a rundown on the good and the bad when it comes to diet, exercise, and gallstones:

Fat - Fat tends to get a bad rap, but not all fat is bad. Monounsaturated fats, found in olive oil and canola oil, and omega-3 fatty acids, found in avocados, canola, flaxseed, and fish oil, may lower the risk of developing gallstones. Fish oil may be especially beneficial to people with high levels of triglycerides, as it helps the gallbladder empty. But stay away from saturated fats found in fatty meats, butter, and other animal products, as these fats can increase your likelihood of gallstones and high cholesterol, among other health risks. If you do eat animal products, choose low-fat alternatives — lean chicken instead of red meat, skim milk and low-fat yogurt instead of whole milk. Try one of the many healthy butter alternatives (make sure it does not contain trans fats or saturated fats).

Fiber - Found in whole-grain breads, cereals, and vegetables, fiber in your diet can help you lose weight and may prevent gallstones.

Fruits and veggies -  There are lots of reasons to eat these wonder foods, and here's one more: Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables may prevent gallstones.

Nuts - Peanuts and tree nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, may prevent gallstones. Plus snacking on almonds is a healthy way to ease hunger and help you lose weight.

Sugar - Too much sugar in your diet may cause gallstones, so stay away from sweets, and choose low-sugar food alternatives when possible.

Carbs - Because carbohydrates are converted into sugar in the body, diets filled with pasta, white bread, and other carbohydrate-rich foods may increase your risk of gallstones.

Alcohol and coffee - You don't have to give up your morning cup of Joe or evening cocktail to prevent gallstones. Studies suggest that moderate consumption of alcohol and coffee may actually prevent gallstones.

Exercise -  Getting regular exercise can help you keep your weight down, which may prevent gallstones. Thirty minutes, five times a week is all that is needed to make a difference.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs - Some drugs used to lower blood cholesterol, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor), can put you at higher risk of developing gallstones. That's because these medications increase the amount of cholesterol released in bile — which can lead to gallstone formation — at the same time that they lower blood cholesterol. If you are taking one of these drugs, talk to your doctor about switching to another type of cholesterol-lowering medication, since not all cholesterol drugs have this effect.

Hormone therapy -  Hormone replacement therapy can increase a woman's risk of developing gallstones since estrogen causes the body to make more cholesterol. If you are taking hormone therapy or are on high-dose birth control pills, talk to your doctor about your risk of gallstones, and ask if there are other hormone medications that may be better for you.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/basics/prevention/con-20020461

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/4-ways-to-prevent-gallstones.aspx

How Can I Prevent Gallstones?

A sensible diet is the best way to prevent gallstones. Avoid crash diets or a very low intake of calories (less than 800 calories daily). Seek out good sources of fiber -- raw fruits and vegetables, cooked dried beans and peas, whole-grain cereals and bran, for example -- and avoid eating too much fat. A high-fiber, low-fat diet helps keep bile cholesterol in liquid form. However, don't cut out fats abruptly or eliminate them altogether, as too little fat can also result in gallstone formation.

Recent studies have shown that moderate consumption of olive oil (about 2 tablespoons a day) may actually lower your chances of developing gallstones. An ingredient in olive oil evidently helps reducecholesterol levels in the blood and gallbladder. Researchers have found that the incidence of gallstones is relatively low among people who live in areas where olive oil consumption is high.

Studies suggest that lecithin -- a natural substance used as a thickener in ice cream, mayonnaise, and other foods -- may help prevent gallstones by keeping cholesterol from solidifying in the gallbladder. Lecithin is found in a number of foods, including soybeans, oatmeal, eggs, milk, peanuts, cabbage, and chocolate. Even though most people get plenty of lecithin in their normal diet, supplements are available in tablet or liquid form at health food shops and drugstores. Take 500 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams daily, or follow the instructions on the label.

WARNING: Over time, large amounts of choline, a chemical in lecithin, could lead to liver problems or other complications. Check with your doctor or nutritionist before taking lecithin supplements.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-gallstones-prevention

Here are some useful tips for preventing gallstones with everyday foods:

1) Juice fresh fruits and vegetables daily. The gallbladder is designed to work in conjunction with the liver to digest food and eliminate toxins. But when one or both of these vital organs gets clogged up due to poor nutrition or toxic buildup, cholesterol can crystallize with calcium to form gallstones. At this point, it becomes much more difficult to break these stones down and prevent them from further complicating your health.

Juicing fresh, alkalizing fruits and vegetables, however, can help quell inflammation and enzymatically detoxify both your liver and gallbladder on a regular basis. Raw, unfiltered apple juice, which is rich in pectin, will help soften and disintegrate any existing gallstones, as well as prevent new ones from forming. Lemons, celery, tomatoes, and beets are also excellent additions to any daily juicing regimen.

If you suffer from existing gallbladder pain, the following juicing recipe may be helpful in eliminating that pain, and any gallstones you might already have:
http://www.gallbladderattack.com/beetrecipe.shtml#beetrecipe

2) Make sure you are eating enough healthy fats. Though some experts encourage gallbladder patients to avoid fats altogether, especially when they have already had gallbladder surgery, certain fats are actually helpful in warding off potential and existing gallstones. Olive oil is often included in many gallbladder detoxification regimens, for instance, and healthy saturated fats from coconut oil and grass-fed animal products actually help synergize the assimilation of important nutrients from other foods that are responsible for maintaining a clean liver and gallbladder.

Just be sure to avoid toxic fats such as soybean and canola oil, which come from a class of fats that are a primary cause of disease-causing inflammation. Chronic inflammation, as we have covered before, is responsible for causing high cholesterol, as vegetable-based and hydrogenated oils are dangerously high in omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids. By taking more omega-3-rich fish oils and eating only animal fats that come from hormone-free, pasture-based animals, you can help naturally lower your cholesterol and take a significant toxic burden off your vital organs (http://www.naturalnews.com).

3) Supplement with either sunflower or non-GMO soy lecithin. One of the easiest and quickest ways to dissolve gallstones is to supplement with lecithin derived from either sunflower or non-GMO (genetically-modified organism) soy. As it turns out, lecithin, a fatty substance made of choline and inositol, is a primary component of cell membranes, and requires high amounts of bile to digest. When it enters the liver after ingestion, lecithin is dissolved into this bile, and in the process hardened gallstones are also dissolved.

"A low lecithin concentration in the bile may be a causative factor for many individuals with gallstones," writes Michael T. Murray, N.D., in his book Textbook of Natural Medicine, 2nd Edition, Volume 2. "Studies have shown that taking as little as 100 mg (milligrams) of lecithin three times per day will increase the concentration of lecithin in the bile, while larger doses (up to 10 g) produce even greater increases."

4) Supplement with apple cider vinegar, malic acid. This unique home remedy is hailed by many as a safe, surefire way to eliminate gallstones without the need for surgery or drug interventions. Mixing apple cider vinegar (ACV) with malic acid -- apples and freshly-pressed apple juice are naturally rich in malic acid and other important softening substances, so this is another option -- and drinking it as part of a gallbladder flush is highly recommended for gallbladder health.

The book Apple Cider Vinegar - Miracle Health System, which is published by the reputable ACV brand Bragg, contains a section on how to successfully complete a two-day gallbladder flush using ACV and apple juice. You can learn more about this helpful technique, and read excerpts from the book, by visiting:
http://bragg.com/books/acv_excerpt.html

5) Add some extra turmeric to your meals. Studies have shown that turmeric, a spice composed mainly of curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food that helps maintain a healthy gallbladder. As it turns out, turmeric helps improve the solubility of bile, which means the body has a much easier time breaking down substances that would otherwise form into gallstones.

Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D., suggests supplementing three times daily with at least 300 mg of curcumin in order to improve bile composition. He also suggests eating foods high in calcium, taking extra vitamin C (you can also take camu camu berry or acerola cherry powder for natural vitamin C), and limiting intake of refined sugar in order to prevent and treat gallstones (http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02972/Gallstones.html).

Sources for this article include:

http://www.mcvitamins.com/gallbladder.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/035297_gallstones_gallbladder_remedies.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038571_gallstones_prevention_foods.html#ixzz3WMQQpnnr

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/038571_gallstones_prevention_foods.html

Video and article   Gallstones occur more frequently in people at two opposite ends of the weight spectrum — those who are overweight or obese, and those who fast or lose a lot of weight quickly. In addition, research published in the journal Gut in 2005 suggests that high intake of carbohydrate, a fluctuating glycaemic load and glycaemic index increase the risk of symptomatic gall stone disease in men. Therefore, it is important to adopt a healthy diet and stick to regular meal times. 

Source: http://www.livescience.com/34726-gallstones-symptoms-treatment.html

Effective Measurement of Your Liver and Bile Production (Compile)

Understanding and measuring the function of your liver is essential for an effective diagnosis and treatment of your condition.  While some doctors might jump right to surgery and gallbladder removal, we want you to know that there is a less drastic and invasive process that we follow to determine the best long-term results and to educate our clients to the full range of causes and treatment options.  Starting with a consultation, we may determine that the best course of action could include laboratory tests, imaging tests, or liver biopsy.  Your health and well being is too valuable to you, and while your immediate need may be to relieve the pain of further gallstones, gallbladder remove has far-ranging consequences which we want you to be aware of so you can make an informed decision.

Of your liver’s 500 functions, its production of bile is one of the most important. Bile primary function is to assist in the processing of dietary fats. Bile is essential for the utilization of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. The bile that is produced by your liver also filters "used" hormones, toxins, foreign chemicals and heavy metals.

Problems When There Is Inadequate Bile

Heartburn can directly be caused if there is a bile salt insufficiency. One of the functions of bile salts is to neutralize the food that has been acidified in the stomach by hydrochloric acid. Stomach acid that has not been neutralized is the leading cause of heartburn.

A person who complains of feeling abdominal tightness, bloating and having a difficulty digesting fats may very well have a bile insufficiency.

Inadequate levels of bile can cause a build-up of toxins in the liver because bile filters most of the body’s toxicity. When bile does not does not function properly, the effect on the Liver results in gallstones.  If a person’s cholesterol production is low, bile production is also likely to be low.

Another important component to fat digestion and utilization is hormone synthesis. ALL hormones are synthesized from fat.  Your endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things.  Problems in these area may be the result of poor liver function which blocks the proper production of hormones.

Helping The Liver To Detoxify & Produce Adequate Bile

In order for the liver to detoxify, adequate protein is essential. Certain amino acids, adequate cellular hydration and nutrients are essential for liver detoxification. 

The nutrient Betaine, is one of the most powerful liver detoxificants. Betain is found in the highest concentrations in beets and beet greens.

Individuals with bile acid insufficiency can also benefit from taking bile salts derived from either ox bile salts.

[INSERT LINKS HERE TO SUPPLEMENTS WHICH THE DOCTOR RECOMMENDS WITH FURTHER INFORMATION]

Identifying Bile Insufficiency

With a simple blood test, we can determine by your cholesterol levels if there is a bile acid insufficiency which indicates dysfunction or congestion in the liver.

[INSERT HERE FURTHER TESTING APPROACHES THAT THE DOCTOR SUGGESTS]






BEST ANSWER:  Diagnosis of liver and biliary system disorders may include laboratory tests, imaging tests, and liver biopsy.

Source: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic_and_biliary_disorders/testing_for_hepatic_and_biliary_disorders/introduction_to_testing_for_hepatic_and_biliary_disorders.html

Of your liver’s 500 functions, its production of bile is one of the most important. Bile is an essential “de-greaser” and “emulsifier” of dietary fats. Bile is also essential for the utilization of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. The bile that is produced by your liver also contains conjugated “already used” hormones, toxins, foreign chemicals and heavy metals.

An insufficient amount of bile salts can prevent proper dietary fat utilization, cause acid indigestion as well as a backup of toxicity.

Bile insufficiency can also cause poor hormone synthesis because of the fact that all hormones are made from lipids.

---

Functions Of Bile

Bile is produced by the hepatocyte cells of the liver from cholesterol. When acidified food enters into the small intestine from the stomach, bile salts alkalinize the food, preparing nutrients for assimilation in the small intestine.

Bile emulsifies fat, increasing fat absorption. Bile also contains the conjugated toxins from the 2 phases of liver detoxification. These toxins may include carcinogens, xenobiotic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals like mercury, aluminum and lead. When hemoglobin is broken down in the liver, bilirubin is conjugated and excreted through the bile.

Problems When There Is Inadequate Bile

Heartburn can directly be caused if there is a bile salt insufficiency. One of the functions of the alkaline bile salts is to neutralize the food that has been acidified in the stomach by hydrochloric acid. Stomach acid that has not been neutralized is likely to cause heartburn.

A person who complains of feeling abdominal tightness, bloating and having a difficulty digesting fats may very well have a bile insufficiency.

Inadequate levels of bile can cause a build-up of toxins in the liver because of the fact that bile conjugates and carries out the body’s burden of toxicity. Liver congestion can result in gall bladder stones and stagnation. If a person’s cholesterol production is low, bile production is also likely to be low.

Another important component to fat digestion and utilization is hormone synthesis. ALL hormones are synthesized from fat. Endocrine dysfunction may improve greatly with improving liver function.

Helping The Liver To Detoxify & Produce Adequate Bile

In order for the liver to function properly, adequate protein is essential. Amino acids are primary constituents of phase I and II of liver detoxification. The amino acid L-Taurine is critical for bile formation, while the sulphur-bearing amino acid L-Methionine is the primary methylating agent in the liver. Cysteine, another sulphur-bearing amino acid is a precursor to the antioxidant Glutathione, the body’s most ubiquitous antioxidant. Glutathione scavenges free radicals and toxins, which end up excreted through bile.

Proper cellular hydration is also essential for liver detoxification. Approximately 85% of bile is made from water.

The nutrient Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine is one of the most powerful liver detoxificants. Betain is found in the highest concentrations in beets and beet greens.

Individuals with bile acid insufficiency can also benefit from taking bile salts derived from either ox bile or bovine bile salts.

Identifying Bile Insufficiency

On a blood test, if blood cholesterol levels are lower than 170, it is possible there is a bile acid insufficiency. Increases or decreases in the liver enzymes ALT (>30, <10) or AST (>30, <10), GGTP (>30) can indicate dysfunction and/or congestion in the liver.

Source: http://metabolichealing.com/bile-deficiency-heartburn-poor-digestion-toxicity/

Digestive glands

1. The gall or bile is a yellow-greenish liquid deposited in the pear-shaped gall bladder. It is made of water, cholesterol, biliary salts and biliary acids, necessary for digestion, but also liver waste products, like biliary pigments and extra-cholesterol eliminated from the organism. The hormone cholecystokinin causes the release of the bile through the biliary duct into the duodenum (small intestine). If there is no food in the intestine, a valve called Oddi sphincter remains closed, retaining the bile into the bladder.

2. Bile is required for digesting fats; without it, we would just poop the fats. The biliary salts mix with the fats turning them into an emulsion, a liquid containing small suspensions of fat particles. The liver produces about one liter of bile daily, but the bile bladder cannot store more than 0.41 liters. That's why it concentrates up to 20 times the bile produced by the liver, much of the water re-entering the blood. The resulting dense, sticky liquid is stored in the extended bladder.

3. Normally, the cholesterol stays liquid, and cannot form deposits. But, if the composition of the bile modifies, cholesterol crystals can form. They are likely to combine with biliary salts and pigments producing gallstones, which are yellow-greenish and of variable sizes, up to 500 g (1.1 pounds). Gallstones can be made exclusively of cholesterol or exclusively of biliary pigments. Gallstones appear especially in persons eating large amounts of food rich in saturated fatty acids (animal fat) and they are thrice more frequent in women than men. Smaller gallstones can pass smoothly to the intestine, without causing problems, but the large ones can get stuck into the biliary duct. If they obstruct the duct, they can cause severe issues and pain.

4. Liver is the largest human gland: 1.4 kg (3 pounds). It is the organ most exposed to toxins, because, during the metabolism, nutrients-filled blood passes through it first. Still, even when 75 % of the organ is harmed, the liver can still function normally. Liver cells have an enormous regenerative power and can rebuild the whole organ once the source of poisoning was been removed.

5. Liver is the recycling center of the body. Blood's red cells live about 100 days and dead red cells decompose. Their reusable parts are retained by the hepatic cells and the useless parts, like the pigment called bilirubin, are eliminated with the bile (this pigment colors the human feces in brown). If the liver's function is impaired or the biliary duct is obstructed so the bilirubin cannot be removed out of the body, the yellow-golden pigment accumulates into the blood causing jaundice. In this case, the pigment stored in the skin and eyes colors them in a yellowish hue.

The body also reuses about 3-4 grams of biliary salts, which enter from the intestine to the blood, and via blood, they reach back the liver.

Source: http://archive.news.softpedia.com/news/8-Issues-You-Did-Not-Know-About-Liver-Pancreas-and-Bile-76554.shtml

The 4 Most Common Issues After Gallbladder Removal

The 4 Most Common Issues After Gallbladder Removal 

Each year, millions of gallbladders are removed on the commonly held thought that the procedure is the quick solution to gallstones.  Coupled with a misunderstanding of the gallbladder function and a lack of understanding on the implications of the removal.  The gallbladder plays a very important role in your physiology, from the removal of excess hormones and waste to the regularity of the digestive system.

You may find yourself without a gallbladder and with a new set of problems:

Pain – Stomach ache, pain in the abdomen or between the shoulder blades 

Bowel problems - Diarrhea or constipation

Digestive difficulties - Sensitivity to certain foods, bloating, motion sickness, aftertaste following a meal, acid reflux and nausea

Hormonal Imbalances - Dryness of hair, dry and cracked skin on the feet and acne

What's normal?

If these symptoms occur, you may find yourself limited because you require costly prescriptions to deal with these issues.  Your ability to enjoy a simple meal may be ruined by uncertainty of how you will feel afterwards.  You may have concerns about proximity to a bathroom. You may feel you have no choice but to accept discomfort, pain, even the idea that your body has turned against you and your best days are behind you.

Why It Happens

You may have been told that “you don’t need a gallbladder”, nothing could be farther from the truth. Some of the important functions of the gallbladder include:

• To store and concentrate bile that is made in the liver
• To release bile to aid in the digestion of healthy fats from the diet
• To aid in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
• To sterilize contents before they enter into the small intestine
• Promote proper detoxification
• Eliminate excess hormones
• Get rid of waste products that are harmful to our health

Anyone who would suggest that these are non-essential functions is uninformed.  It is little wonder that there are consequences when the gallbladder is removed. A nutritional approach supported with supplements could succeed where so many gallbladder surgeries fail, leaving the patient either worse than before or the same.  

Getting Answers

Many of the problems you face after a gallbladder removal procedure can be addressed with lifestyle changes such as adopting a low-fat diet, avoiding fatty or fried foods, and by eating small, frequent meals.

To find specific answers, we will listen to your unique story and help you uncover the root cause of why you don’t feel well and what you can do about it. We use the latest testing and diagnostic tools to help you better understand WHY you are having the issues, provide a plan and a partnership to make the changes required.   Call us today to schedule a personal health consultation and we will sit down with you one on one to help determine if and how we can help you regain your digestive health.

Adding supplemental enzymes to support digestion

Introducing Bile Complex – An evolution in gallbladder and liver support. 

Bile Complex™ is a comprehensive formula designed to support bile flow for the normal processing and elimination of toxins through the specific combination of nutrients and herbs in this formula. By supporting liver and gallbladder function, Bile Complex™ supports the elimination of fatty substances from the liver and the digestion and assimilation of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Bile Complex provides support for liver and gallbladder function by providing lipotropic substances to aid in the elimination of fatty substances from the liver, as well as promoting proper bile flow (i.e.: L-methionine, L-taurine, inositol and choline, beta-carotene, ox bile). Critical catalysts of liver detoxification enzymes are also included. These are mixed with a combination of hepatic (aid the liver) and cholagogue (aid bile flow) herbs, such as Milk Thistle, Greater Celandine, Dandelion, Fringe Tree, Artichoke, and Beet root for optimal processing and elimination of toxins.

Dandelion is a well-established cholagogue (stimulates bile flow), diuretic and appetite stimulant. Milk Thistle is a well-researched protective herb for the hepatocytes (liver cells), and has even demonstrated the ability to promote the regeneration of liver cells in subjects with hepatitis and other liver disorders. It can also aid in the flow of bile to promote optimal gallbladder function. Greater Celandine, Fringe Tree, and Artichoke can reduce pain in the bile ducts and the gastrointestinal tract by virtue of their antispasmodic properties, and they are often traditionally used in liver and gallbladder disorders, including non-obstructive gallstones. Beet Leaf is a valuable source of betaine (trimethylglycine), which can act to reduce fatty infiltration and degeneration of the liver.

Bile Complex is designed to also support optimal digestion and assimilation of essential fats and fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) making this formula appropriate for a patients who has had their gall bladder removed and patients suffering from skin disorders such as dry skin, acne and other atopic problems.  

Who Should Take Bile Complex™?

§                       those without a gallbladder

§                       those with inability to handle fatty foods and

§                       those with bloating, gas, GI distress

§                       those with skin problems

This synergistic formula will aid fat digestion and improve absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. This product is excellent for detoxification support.

Who Should Not Take Bile Complex™?

Patients experiencing acute upper abdominal pain or are known to have a bile duct obstruction should not take Bile Complex.

How Should a Patient Take Bile Complex™?

Take 1 capsule per meal if you have had your gallbladder removed.