Gall or bile is produced by the liver. The bile is a watery fluid that aids in the digestion of food. The normal path of bile is as it is secreted by the liver cells, bile flows within the many small canals in the liver, then to the larger collecting ducts out to the extrahepatic bile duct, into the hepatic duct then finally to the bile duct. From the bile duct the bile flows into two directions: one is directly to the intestines to help in the digestion and the second is to the cystic duct then finally into the gallbladder where it stays concentrated and stored until needed in digestion.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are stones that are formed in the gall. They are common to more than 20% women in Europe, Canada and the USA but there is also a great difference in prevalence among different ethnic groups. The largest percentage in terms of occurrence is among native Americans where it is pegged at 80%.
There are different types of gallstones:
- cholesterol gallstones
- pigment gallstones
- and other types that are related to medications.
Cholesterol gallstones are formed when the normal cholesterol content of the food we eat is not dissolved in the bile. The bile is water-based and fat and water do not mix. That is why the liver had to excrete extra bile and lecithin with an acidic base in order to dissolve the fat (cholesterol). The excretion of the acidic bile and lecithin has to be timed perfectly and at the right amount. If the liver does not secrete the right amount of acidic bile and lecithin at the right time, the undissolved cholesterol binds together and form cholesterol gallstones.
Pigment gallstones are either black or brown. Black pigment gallstones are formed when there’s too much bilirubin in the bile. When bilirubin combines with other constituents in the bile, then black pigment gallstones are formed. Brown pigment gallstones are formed when bacteria from the duodenums goes to the bile duct therefore contaminating the bilirubin. The altered bilirubin then binds with calcium or other bile constituents and form brown pigment gallstones.
Food to Eat and Not Eat
Clearly fat is the primary culprit in the formation of gallstones. It goes without showing that the intake of fats and oil from animals should be limited if not totally avoided especially if you are genetically predisposed to gallstones. It is best to limit intake of fast foods, red meat, pork, nuts and beans.
On the other hand you should eat more fruits and vegetables that can increase fiber in your diet. Some recommended fruits and vegetables are:
- watermelon
- apples
- lemons
- water chestnuts
- broccoli
- spinach
- grapefruit
- lemons
- mustard greens
For protein, it is best to stick to chicken, turkey, fish and lean meat. Essentially, a low fat and low salt diet is best as a preventive measure in the formation of gallstones. Drink plenty of water too as it flushes out toxins and waste.
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