Gallstones: What to Eat & What Not to Eat

Dubai, UAE, August 9, 2016:  Did you know gallstones are one of the most common disorders affecting the body’s biliary system? The biliary system, which includes the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, produces a fluid called bile, which helps the body digest fats. If there is an imbalance in the chemical make-up of bile – for example if one has high cholesterol – gallstones can form in the gallbladder or bile ducts.
 
Symptoms of gallstones include abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, a high fever, as well as sudden, intense pangs of pain in the right upper part or the center of the stomach that may last from just a few minutes to over an hour.
 
Dr. Yasir M. Akmal, Staff Physician, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, recommends seeking medical advice if these symptoms occur frequently or are prolonged.   
 
Gallstones that cause symptoms generally require surgical removal, either of individual gallstones or the entire gallbladder, depending on where in the biliary system the gallstones are located. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery, known as a ‘keyhole’ surgery, allowing for a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, less pain and bleeding after the operation, and reduced scarring.
 
Avoiding gallstones starts with managing risk factors. “People have an increased risk of developing gallstones if they have diabetes, are overweight, or have a family history of the condition,” notes Dr. Akmal. “However, maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet, nutrition and exercise can help prevent gallstones from forming.”
 
To help reduce the risk of gallstones, Dr. Akmal recommends the following dietary choices: 
 
What to eat: “Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, poultry and fish, and low-fat dairy products are especially good for your gallbladder. If you already have gallstones, changing your diet won’t get rid of them, but eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, and limiting the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol-heavy foods may help ease symptoms.”
 
What to avoid: “Due to the large role cholesterol plays in the formation of gallstones, stay away from foods that are high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber, specifically fried foods, highly processed foods like doughnuts, whole-milk dairy products like cheese and ice cream, and fatty red meat.”
 
“Whether or not you are at a risk of gallstones, it’s always a good idea to keep your body at a healthy weight and consume foods that are low in fat and cholesterol, moderate in calories, and high in fiber. If you are overweight and trying to lose extra weight, try to do it gradually, so that your progress is sustainable. Crash diets can also cause the liver to release more cholesterol, eventually leading to the formation of gallstones,” advises Dr. Akmal.