Dietary Modifications for Gallstones

[Guest guest]

" JoAnn Guest " <jguest

Thu Sep 26, 2002 1:29 pm

Dietary Modifications for Gallstones

 

 

 

Some dietary modifications can make

a big difference in managing gallstones.

 

Dietary fats have been linked with

gallstone formation,although

evidence is somewhat conflicting.

 

Most studies cite saturated fats

(i.e., butter and margarine) as a

contributing factor

vs.

monounsaturated fats (i.e., olive oil),

which appears to play a

protective role.

 

safflower oil seems neither to cause nor prevent gallstones,

although some animal experiments

indicate that the omega-3 class of

polyunsaturates (i.e., flaxseed oil)

may prevent gallstones.

 

 

Paradoxically, some studies

have shown certain fats actually protect

against stone formation

in humans.

 

In one study, a majority of test subjects fed

five to 10 eggs a day for

six weeks experienced a decrease

in their cholesterol/bile acid ratio.

 

This occurred despite a slight increase

in serum cholesterol levels.

 

 

Fiber may prevent gallstone formation.

 

Dietary fiber appears to deter the synthesis

and absorption of secondary bile acids (SBAs),

which are unhealthy bile metabolites that form

in the intestinal

tract.

 

Certain SBAs have been linked with increased cholesterol

saturation of bile and thus gallstone formation.

 

Fiber not only allows less time for SBAs to form in the gut

by improving intestinal motility, it may also bind SBAs

and escort them out of the body.

 

Population research has confirmed

that low-fiber diets predispose

toward gallstone formation.

 

Food allergies may have a connection to gallbladder symptoms.

 

In

vitro and animal experiments from the 1920s showed pathological

changes in gallbladder tissue following exposure to certain food

antigens.

 

More recent research by J.C. Breneman, M.D., a pioneer in

food allergy research, found that allergy-elimination diets

dramatically improved gallbladder symptoms in 100 percent of his

test subjects.

 

The foods most likely to cause symptoms pork, onions,

poultry, milk, coffee, oranges, and corn.

 

Breneman postulated that allergenic substances

induce inflammation of the

biliary ducts, causing pain

and possibly impairing bile flow.

 

Sugar consumption may also pose a risk

for gallstone development.

 

Sugar promotes insulin secretion,

which increases cholesterol

synthesis in the liver—a condition

favoring stone formation.

 

Eating sugar is also related to elevated

serum triglyceride levels,

which, in turn, are associated with

cholesterol saturation of bile.

 

Studies have consistently reported a higher prevalence

of gallstones in people with a sugary diet.

 

 

 

JoAnn Guest

angelprincessjo

Friendsforhealthnaturally

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Hypertension.html