Gallstones: Why They Happen and What Will Help to Heal Them Sustainably

What are gallstones?

Gallstones occur when there’s an over-saturation or concentration of cholesterol in your bile. The bile then hardens and forms crystals or stones. It’s purported to be one of the most painful conditions - some say even more painful than natural childbirth! If you’ve ever had a “gallbladder” attack then you know. The pain comes from either the gallbladder contracting as it should in response to a meal but the bile is too thick, like sludge or stones are present to be released easily which causes the pain. The duct or tube that is attached to the beginning of your intestines is also involved much of the time. Pain is usually felt on the right hand side just below the ribs and can radiate to your right shoulder. This is what brings people to the hospital.

Why might they develop?

To best answer this question it’s best to start with what bile is and why it’s so important.

Bile is a substance that is made up of mostly water, cholesterol and other fats, bilirubin (the yellowish pigment that when mixed with used red blood cells makes your poop brown!) and bile salts.

During digestion, our liver makes bile which helps us to emulsify and digest fats - including fat soluble vitamins. Bile is stored in our gallbladder that is conveniently located just below our liver and it’s the gallbladder’s job to release just enough bile into our duodenum (the first part of our small intestines)to help this process - it does this by contracting so enough bile can be released. This ultimately helps us absorb as much nutrients as we can. Bile assists with a multitude of other functions such as:

• Regulates the pH of the food and other liquid traveling through the gut for optimal digestion - a proper sequence is critical to optimal digestion where nutrients can be absorbed and utilized by our cells
• Acts as an antimicrobial within the gut to help keep a balanced microbiome and clean cellular debris - this prevents inflammation which is a key factor in gallbladder disease
• Acts as mode of transport for toxins and cellular debris and bilirubin to be eliminated via stool. This is a BIG role that’s often forgotten

In order for this cascade to go off without a hitch, both organs, the liver and the gallbladder need to be functioning optimally and the bile has to be just the right viscosity to be able to pass easily onto its next stop. For many people, this is not the case.

There’s a common condition called hepato-biliary congestion. This often develops in people who live a conventional modern day life and eat a Standard American Diet. By this I mean, people who are chronically stressed, do not get much movement or quality sleep and are nutrient depleted; they also have many other adverse gut dynamics that have been in play for a while. This contributes to issues with the functioning of their entire gut including these ever important organs. They are nutrient depleted due to their food choices within the Standard American Diet which consists of mostly refined carbohydrates, sugar, unhealthy fats - think largely processed foods. These foods also contribute to obesity and other metabolic imbalances that affect these organs - think fatty liver, diabetes. The liver and gallbladder respond, as does the entire gut, and get sluggish and stagnant because they do not have what they need in nutrients or lifestyle to do what they need to. 

Who is at risk for them?

Conventional medicine still subscribes to a handy little mnemonic when it comes to issues with the gallbladder, especially gallstones: 

• Fair
• Fat
• Female
• Fertile
• Forty

They also added “family history” a bit later. I think this can influence people when it comes to not realizing that it’s their nutrition status - or lack thereof and lifestyle that influences this condition most. I mean, there’s not much you can control for any of these variables. This is a much easier narrative to swallow and let yourself off the hook for. 

But we’re here to tell you - DON’T. Your daily choices determine the outcome MUCH more than any of these “risk factors”.

Some other risk factors to be aware of:

• Taking any medications that contain estrogen such as birth control pills or conventional HRT - estrogen causes cholesterol to become quite concentrated. Yes - this does mean young women who take the birth control pill are at risk despite what your conventional provider tells you
• Older age - typically there’s a lot of wear and tear on the average person’s gut by the time they are over 40 which increases your risk. But change can happen at any time and lessen your risk. ;)
• Taking statins to lower cholesterol. This may sound counterintuitive but these drugs change the ratio of what makes up bile leading to an imbalance which can increase your risk of gallstone development. It’s all about the balance.
• Having some other dynamics such as being overweight or obese, having a fatty liver or pre- diabetes or diabetes. All of these conditions affect the health of your gut microbiome and lining, your gut motility and your ability to rid yourself of toxins optimally

How can you address them without surgery being the only option?

It’s always recommended that you work with a trained provider, a functional medicine savvy one can help you heal the root causes of your gallbladder woes. Yes, there are certain circumstances when its removal may be your only option but this is much more of the exception than the norm as it’s made out to be. These instances are almost always the result of trouble that’s been brewing for a long time and wasn’t addressed. Removing the gallbladder will not change the dynamics that got you there in the first place. Your body will just move onto another organ or system and send you signals that there is a big problem that way. 

Will you listen?

Here are some ways to begin to heal your gallstones. It’s possible…imagine that?

1. Diet: Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing gallstones. A functional medicine approach would typically involve adopting a whole foods-based diet that is low in refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. Emphasize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. Limit or avoid processed foods, trans fats, and excessive consumption of poorly sourced, conventional, factory farmed animal fats.
2. Liver support: Since the liver produces bile, supporting its optimal function is essential. Promote liver health by consuming foods such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage), beets, artichokes, and dandelion greens. These foods contain compounds that aid liver detoxification and bile production.
3. Hydration: Maintaining adequate hydration is important for preventing gallstones. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep the bile diluted and prevent its stagnation.
4. Fiber intake: A high-fiber diet promotes regular bowel movements and can help prevent gallstones. Include ample amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber by consuming foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, consider incorporating ground flaxseeds or chia seeds into your meals.
5. Healthy weight management: Obesity and excess weight are risk factors for gallstone formation. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce the likelihood of developing gallstones.
6. Stress management: Chronic stress can contribute to gallstone formation. Incorporate stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or engaging in activities you enjoy to help reduce stress levels.
7. Herbal remedies: Certain herbs can support gallbladder function and promote bile flow. Examples include milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion root, and globe artichoke. However, it is crucial to consult with a qualified functional medicine practitioner before using any herbal remedies to ensure they are appropriate for your specific situation.
8. D-limonene - this is a supplement made from the peels of citrus fruit that can help dissolve stones and improve your liver/gallbladder sluggishness. This can be a great option while you work on the root causes. It works much like that lemon kitchen counter that cleans up that grease - even the really tough messes. It’s important to work with a trained functional medicine practitioner to know if this might be an option for you.  

Gallstones are just another sign, symptom or signal that your body is sending you to let you know there is an imbalance in your unique body. As inviting as it is to think that having your gallbladder surgically removed will solve all your woes, it won’t. Many people continue to have phantom pain or experience symptoms because stones formed in the bile duct. I, personally, know some friends, > 5 people, that this has happened to. The kicker is that this wasn’t communicated to any of them that this could happen. Always go upstream to get to the root cause. You will not only heal your gallstones or any other dynamic that you are working on but you will heal so in your entirety.