If you are serious about preventing the formation of gallstones, you must provide your body with the nutrients it needs to maintain a properly functioning gallbladder. We would therefore like to give you a few useful tips at this point on how you can prevent the formation of gallstones with everyday foods and how you can lose existing gallstones again.
Gallstones – the formation
The liquid in the bile has the task of working with the liver to ensure proper fat digestion and the elimination of toxins.
However, if one or even both of these vital organs are impaired in their function due to a poor diet, a lack of bile can occur.
As a result, the toxins present cannot be excreted in sufficient quantities and the cholesterol present in the bile can no longer be kept in solution due to the lack of liquid so that it clumps. This is how the cholesterol-containing gallstones form ( 1 ).
So how can you protect your bile from forming gallstones? Here are a few powerful tips that can significantly improve your liver and bile function ( 2 ):
1. Still water against gallstones
Drinking at least 2 liters of still, purified water daily flushes the liver and dilutes the bile, which can otherwise thicken and lead to the formation of gallstones.
2. Freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices against gallstones
Fresh smoothies provide your body with a wealth of vital substances such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. They get into the cells very quickly without putting a strain on the digestive system. The body also uses this variety of vital substances for detoxification.
Therefore, fresh juices contribute greatly to the relief of the liver and thus at the same time keep the gallbladder healthy. Freshly squeezed apple juice is rich in pectin. In this way, it supports the body in softening and dissolving existing gallstones. In addition, it prevents the formation of new stones. Lemons, celery, tomatoes, and beets are also highly recommended for this purpose.
If you juice ripe (ie alkaline) fruit and fresh vegetables every day and then enjoy them in small sips, you support your body in all areas. Freshly squeezed juices taste great, put you in a good mood, make you slim, and keep you healthy.
3. Coconut Oil and Gallstones
Although some scientists strongly discourage gallstone sufferers from consuming any fat at all, many naturopathic people claim that there are certain fats, such as organic coconut oil, that are able to counteract the formation of gallstones and even soften and help existing gallstones to dissolve.
There is a logical explanation for this in the example of coconut oil:
On the one hand, high-quality organic coconut oil is free of cholesterol, which could possibly contribute to the formation of gallstones. On the other hand, no bile is required for the medium-chain fatty acids contained in coconut oil, since these are already dissolved from their fatty compound by the saliva and then in the stomach.
However, these are not the only benefits, as the caprylic and capric acids contained in coconut oil appear to be able to actually dissolve cholesterol-containing gallstones.
4. Lecithin against gallstones
Lecithin is a lipid composed of fatty acids, glycerol, phosphoric acid, and choline and is also found in bile. It has the ability to dissolve fats in water thus making them transportable. It also connects the individual components of the bile with each other. In particular, the lecithin component phosphatidylcholine is said to prevent the growth of gallstones and to be able to dissolve gallstones.
Therefore, you should definitely follow the logical recommendation to supplement your diet with lecithin. Particularly good sources of lecithin include egg yolks (from organic eggs), soy products (not GMOs!), sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and nuts (especially walnuts and unsalted peanuts ) ( 3 ).
A low concentration of lecithin in the bile could be a triggering factor for gallstones in many people. Experiments have shown that a daily intake of around 300 mg of lecithin can increase the concentration of the substance in the gallbladder. Higher doses (up to 10g) can produce an even more remarkable increase.
5. Apple cider vinegar for gallstones
This home remedy is hailed by many experts as a safe and effective way to get rid of gallstones naturally. To improve the health of your gallbladder, it is recommended that you drink 2 to 3 teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar mixed in water or apple juice daily, spread out regularly throughout the day.
Apples and freshly squeezed apple juice are of course also rich in malic acid and many other important substances, which is why this is also a recommended option.
6. Foods that support your bile
Radish
Fresh radish is one of these foods as it stimulates the flow of bile. Both the root and the juice of the radish have this positive effect.
Dandelion
Dandelion leaves also increase bile flow into the gallbladder and improve fat and cholesterol processing. Dandelion can be used both in salads and as a tea preparation.
Fruits rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C can also prevent the growth of gallstones and dissolve existing gallstones. It stimulates the liver to produce more bile acid, thereby reducing excess cholesterol in bile ( 4 ) ( 5 ).
The best sources of vitamin C are camu camu, OPC, acerola cherries, sea buckthorn, rose hips, and kiwi, as well as raw peppers, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Turmeric
Season your dishes with turmeric as often as possible. The active ingredient curcumin contained in turmeric is a very effective antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
It also increases the solubility of the bile, which makes it easier for the body to break down the substances responsible for the formation of gallstones.
It can also dissolve existing gallstones. This effect of curcumin has been scientifically proven many times. In this context, Andrew Weil, MD, recommends taking at least 300 mg of turmeric, taken 3 times a day, to positively influence the composition of the bile fluid.
Curcumin
As an alternative to the spice turmeric, some people take curcumin supplements. These contain the pure active ingredient from turmeric in high doses. Curcumin supplements are highly recommended for gallstone prevention. However, if gallstones are already present, turmeric can be used in normal kitchen amounts, but the pure, isolated, and high-dose curcumin in the form of preparations should be avoided, as it can lead to contractions of the gallbladder, which loosens the stones there and could press them into the bile ducts. A biliary colic would be an unpleasant result.
As you can see, it’s not that difficult to actively work on healing your body yourself. Of course, the healing effects of the foods described are not “just” limited to your liver or gallbladder. Your whole body will benefit from implementing the recommended measures.