OK… I recently have been asked: “What Can I Eat For My Gallbladder Problem?” and believe it or not… I know of a few friends that actually have gallbladder trouble and one actually had her gallbladder removed.
So, what is the Gallbladder and what does it do? The gallbladder is shaped like a pear and it is located under the liver. It is connected to the liver with the help of the hepatic duct. The gallbladder is responsible for storing the bile secreted by the liver, and this bile is released into the small intestine when fats have to be digested.
If there is a problem with the gallbladder, then bile secretion into the small intestine does not take place, or the right amounts of bile is not secreted. This can lead to a host of problems like vomiting, nausea, severe pain in the abdomen, heart burn, constipation and diarrhea. It can also cause the person problems in proper digestion of food.
When a person has a gallbladder problem, he or she needs to be very careful about what they eat. If they are not, it could alleviate the problem, or cause other complications. People with gallbladder problems should avoid eating foods that are fried, spicy, or high in fats. Instead, they should be looking to consume starchy foods such as rice and cereals; vegetables; and fruits. They should avoid eating vegetables from the cabbage family as it can cause gas.
The foods that a person can eat with a gallbladder problem is as follows:
- Fresh vegetables and fruits
- Leafy green salads. The salad can have a sprinkling of olive oil or flaxseed oil along with vinegar
- Moderate amounts of lean meats
- Low fat dairy products like low fat milk, low fat yogurt and low fat cottage cheese
- Whole grains
- Whole grain bread
- Ginger
- Turmeric
Rather than eating large meals, a person should be looking to eat around 6 small meals throughout the day. In addition, taking Omega-3 essential oil will prevent the formation of cholesterol in the bile. Also, the person should drink ample amounts of get clean water to flush out the toxins from the liver and the body on the whole.
If you get a gallbladder attack, there are some foods that you should avoid. One of the main things to avoid is the western diet, which consists of low fiber, high cholesterol and high fat foods. This kind of diet contains high amounts of fat, sodium, sugar, red meats and refined grains. Besides causing problems of the gallbladder, this diet can also result in diabetes and cancer.
When a person gets a gallbladder attack, he or she should be looking to eat fruits, vegetables, fish, flax, garlic, turmeric, juices of cucumber and beets. However, there are certain foods that need to be avoided like citrus fruits, cabbage family vegetables, beans, nuts, chicken, pork, turkey, onions, eggs, dairy products, coffee, caffeinated drinks, alcohol and breads.
If you have a problem with your gallbladder, then you may have to have a surgery to remove the offending organ. Under such circumstances, there will be a lot of restrictions on diet and the food consumed if the person wants to be healthy and does not want to suffer from digestion problems.
The gallbladder is an important organ of the digestive system as it stores bile, which is required to breakdown fatty foods. Once the gallbladder is removed, the bile secreted by the liver can no longer be stored, and hence, the liver has to work harder to ensure fatty foods are properly digested. This can give rise to many digestion related problems as some foods will not be digested properly.
Therefore, after a gallbladder surgery, a person should be careful about what they eat. There are some foods that are highly recommended, while others have to be avoided. Initially, right after the surgery, the person will be put on liquid diet. Here the person will be given liquids like gelatin and broths to eat. Initially, the person may feel nauseated, but will soon get over this feeling. Slowly, solid foods are introduced.
Once a person has had his or her gallbladder removed, they will find it difficult to digest fats. Hence, the following foods should be avoided after the surgery:
- Fried food such as French fries or potato chips
- Meats that are high in fat content like bacon, sausage, ground beef, bologna and ribs
- Dairy products that are high in fat content like ice cream, whole milk, cream, sour cream, and cheese
- Pizzas
- Food that use lard or butter
- Gravies for meats
- Chocolates
- Creamy sauces and soups
- Certain cooking oils like palm oil and coconut oil
- Turkey or chicken skin
- Spicy food
There are many health issues that can cause an obstruction in the bile duct and hence, interfere in the bile reaching the small intestine. One of the most common gallbladder diseases is gallstones, which is medically known as cholelithiasis. In addition, there are many factors that can result in gallbladder disease, and these include old age, being genetically pre-disposed to the disease, having a high fat laden diet, constipation, obesity and several other problems pertaining to the intestine. Even gender plays a role, with women being more susceptible to gallbladder diseases compared to men.
Knowing the symptoms of gallbladder disease can ensure that a person seeks early medical intervention. Gallbladder diseases can be extremely painful. Some of the symptoms of gallbladder disease are as follows:
- Experiencing pain in the chest, primarily under the breast bone
- Feeling full after consuming a meal
- Suffering from fatigue all the time
- Fever
- Chills
- Suffering from heart burn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Excruciating pain in the abdomen which can be on the right side or felt in the upper central portion of the abdomen
- The pain in the abdomen tends to come after a meal but goes away after 12 to 18 hours
- The pain can extend to the back of the right shoulder blade or between the shoulder blades.
Of course… one way to avoid gallbladder problems later is to Start Living Healthier now! Your body is a complex machine and needs proper nutrition to function properly. Much like your car… you can put cheap gas in it and it will probably run good for a while, but if you’re not changing the oil and doing regular maintenance… your car will eventually break down and need expensive repairs to get back to normal.
Give your body the nutrition it needs and avoid expensive and painful surgeries down the road.
I’ll be happy to help you decide what you should be taking on a daily basis or you can visit: www.LifetimeForHealth.com for more info. There are 4 Supplements I believe everyone needs to take on a daily basis.
1) A MultiVitamin
A study of 3 million people revealed that less than 1% of the participants got enough essential vitamins from diet alone. That’s why you must take a multivitamin; it also helps prevent heart disease, breast cancer and colon cancer.
The Dose
Look for 100% of the daily value of the 12 essential vitamins and minerals – like vitamins B, C, E and zinc. Note: Only women who are menstruating need a multivitamin with iron. If you are post-menopausal or a male, you do not need a multivitamin that contains iron.
More is not better – avoid “mega-doses.” You only need 100% daily value, not 500%.
Take half in the morning and half at night to maximize absorption. You use a multivitamin’s various components during the chemical reactions that occur throughout your body. So, maintaining constant levels assures a steady supply of these vital nutrients.
2) Calcium with Magnesium
This is a necessary supplement for strong, healthy muscles, bones and teeth.
The Dose
Calcium (600 mg) with magnesium (400 mg).
Take dose with a full glass of water, 2 hours after eating. Calcium can block the absorption of other supplements and prescriptions, so be sure to take it separately.
3) Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is integral the health of your immune system, blood vessels, muscles and nervous systems. Most of us don’t get enough vitamin D from sunlight, especially if you live in a northern climate or are dark-skinned.
The Dose
1,000 IU – this dose can be included in multi-vitamins, so make sure you read labels carefully.
Vitamin D is fat soluble, so it works better when taken with a little fat. Try taking it at breakfast with milk or yogurt.
4) Omega-3
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids called DHA and EPA which are essential for optimal functioning of the heart and brain. They reduce arterial inflammation, which can lower your risk for a heart attack. Fish oil is also associated with a 32% reduced risk of breast cancer.
While a controversial report this year indicated that fish oil supplements could be dangerous due to possible trace amounts of mercury and/or PCBs (cancer-causing chemicals found in fish swimming in polluted waters), this small amount is not enough to be a concern.
The Dose
Your daily dose must contain 600 mgs of the DHA omega-3 fatty acid.
Take fish oil with breakfast to avoid “fishy burps,” a side-effect some report when fish oil is taken on an empty stomach.
Many fish oils recommended refrigeration to keep them from spoiling.
For Quality Supplements you can buy online, click the links below:
To Your Health!
Kaetlin and Scott OBrien
www.LifetimeForHealth.com
