Your gallbladder supports digestion and metabolism. Early signs that your gallbladder is in need of support are felt in the region of the gallbladder itself: upper right quadrant of the stomach, just beneath your ribs.
Gallbladder pain is often felt within an hour of eating; especially dense fat laden foods. The pain may radiate from under the ribs, if more severe it may refer around to the right shoulder and back. Other symptoms include nausea, feeling bloated, excessive belching or farting.
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped sac nested beneath the liver.
Its main function is to store and concentrate bile secreted from the liver. Bile assists in the digestion and absorption of fats and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) and minerals. It is composed mainly of bile salts and acids, cholesterol and colour pigments. The main bile pigment, Bilirubin is the main bile pigment. It colours urine yellow and stools brown.
Bile is anti-bacterial. It helps to keep the small intestine free of bacterial overgrowth.
When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts and squeezes stored bile into the common bile duct, which then travels to the small intestine. Bile is essential for the metabolism of fatty acids and excretion of cholesterol. When bile acids have completed this job they are reabsorbed and returned to the liver to be recycled into bile again.
Bile acts as a natural laxative and influences stool colour and consistency. Pale stools are an indicator that not enough bile is reaching the intestines. Floating stools are an indicator of undigested fats in the stool.
Gallbladder symptoms usually start within an hour of eating, they include:
- Upper right quadrant abdominal pain/tenderness
- Stomach bloat or feeling over-full
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Dark coloured urine
- Light coloured stools
- Floating stools
Ignoring symptoms is not recommended.
If symptoms become more frequent or last longer than usual take note of trigger foods (usually fried, fatty foods.) Stress, poor nutrition and dehydration can also upset bile flow and cause stagnation.
Red Flag Symptoms: seek medical attention!
- Severe pain in your upper right abdomen, that radiates to the right shoulder or back, and lasts 6 hours or longer
- A high fever with abdominal pain
- Vomiting: an inability to hold down food/fluids
- A jaundiced appearance: yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Rapid heartbeat or feeling faint along with abdominal pain
Digestive upsets are to be expected if we over-indulge.
Frequent digestive upsets need to be addressed. Many gastrointestinal problems manifest similar symptoms. Key to identifying the root cause is to identify symptom patterns.
To keep your gallbladder healthy:
- First thing in the morning drink warm water with lemon juice.
- Drink plenty of water and herbal teas between meals.
- Daily fresh juice: carrots, beets, apples, ginger
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Choose lean sources of protein.
- Opt for healthy fats such as olive oil and avoid/limit saturated fats.
- Have a small amount of healthy fat with each meal.
- Chew your food well for better digestion.
- Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates
The traditional Mediterranean Diet is a good option.
The above is for informational purposes only.