How to prevent gallstones

Gallstones are hard, solid pieces of cholesterol and other minerals that can develop in the gallbladder; when this happens, they become known as gallstones. Gallstone problems typically cause severe abdominal pain and sometimes fever.

They can also lead to jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin caused by bile waste getting into the body. Conventional medicine often treats gallstones with surgery but there are many other ways of helping to prevent this disease.

While visiting a general surgeon follow through with these 7 recommendations to help not just with gallstone treatment but also with long-term prevention.

Regular intake of water throughout the day

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your gallbladder full of bile and fluid. It’s important to know that your gallbladder is only around ½ inch in diameter and so it can only hold a limited amount of bile at any one time, so if you don’t drink enough this leftover bile should be cleared via faeces or diarrhea as soon as possible.

Magnesium Supplements

Magnesium is a mineral that helps to regulate the balance of calcium and phosphorous in the body. This is essential for healthy bones, teeth and heart. It is found primarily in whole grains, nuts and legumes.

Even though it’s easy to get enough magnesium from a varied diet, you may find your diet lacking in magnesium if too much of your daily caloric intake comes from refined carb sources—sugar and/or flour products, such as white bread and pasta.

Regular intake of Vitamin C

Gallstones are a common problem and can be serious especially if they are left untreated as they are made up of cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts and fibrin.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in reducing the risk of developing gallstones. In order to prevent them, it is advisable to consume more vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits and vegetables.

Regularize fat intake

To prevent gallstones, it is important to monitor your fat intake. Trans fats and high-fat food types can cause your gallbladder to produce bile, which can cause irritation to the lining if you already have developed these stones.

Some examples of beneficial, healing fats are olive oil; coconut oil and flaxseed oil which can be used as an alternative to trans-fat type oils.

Control Sugar intake

Sugar is an empty source of calories. If you desire to lose weight or prevent gallstones, you should limit your consumption of sugar as well. A diet plan made of low fat and high in fibre will improve insulin sensitivity, reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and help control blood glucose levels.

The benefits also include lower cholesterol levels, better digestion, and a decrease in body fat. Cutting out refined white sugar will also allow you to eat several servings of fruit each day, which are loaded with different vitamins and nutrients.

Add fiber to your diet

Fiber helps your digestive system to remain healthy.  To receive insoluble fiber, which functions as a “broom” to clear the digestive tract, include a bowl of raw vegetable salad in your regular diet