Love Your Gallbladder

December 9, 2008
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

I see there is great interest in learning how to read your body like a book – which is not a “novel” (pun intended) idea at all considering Oriental physiogomy has been around for centuries.

When I was thinking about how many organs are impacted by emotions (anger damages the heart, liver, and gallbladder), it got me thinking about how common gallbladder attacks have become. Is this because we cannot cope with resentment and bitterness?

There are many natural remedies for gallbladder problems: apple juice and olive oil, Phosfood liquid drops, and the Bach flower remedy, Willow. But one of the most neglected and fool-proof is not eating anything that you may be allergic to, whether you realize it or not!

In fact, research regarding the 99.9 percent gallbladder cure was published back in the 60’s and 70’s by the chairman of the Food Allergy Committe of the American College of Allergists, Dr. James Breneman. In the late 60’s he surveyed about 70 individuals who were suffering from constant gallbladder-related pain and had them go on an elimination diet — similar to what you do on Fat Flush. Amazingly, all the people in the study were free of gallbladder attacks when they avoided certain foods AND medications (ouch!). When they started to eat these foods again or take their problematic meds, the pain returned.

What does this mean? Gallbladder pain may be related to inflammation that is set into play by a food allergy (i.e. food reaction) or medication. But here’s the kicker. Guess what the most “inflammatory” foods were? (I couldn’t guess, so I will tell you…and don’t forget that the most offending food was NOT Omega 3 or DHA – major anti-inflammatories – enriched at the time 🙂 )

Here goes. The most offensive foods for gallbladder pain were:

1) Eggs (for over 90% of the study participants)
2) Pork (for over 64%)
3) Chicken ( 35%)
3) Milk (35%)
4) Coffee (21%)

I find this information fascinating and rather surprising.

The good news is that so many of the gallbladder triggers are omitted if you are on Fat Flush, Fast Track, or Gut Flush. The bad news is that even if you have your gallbladder out, you can continue to have pain unless you reduce these foods. So, many individuals have what is called “post-cholecystectomy syndrome” where the gallbaldder is gone but the pain remains. The answer: hidden food allergens.

The best supplements for the gallbladder include the lipotrophic nutrients choline, inositol, and methionine. (These are conveniently found in The Weight Loss Formula.) The amino acid taurine provides a bile salt that helps the gallbladder metabolize fat (Liver-Lovin’ Formula) and the product Cholacol (Standard Process that UNI KEY carries) provides ready-made bile salts for those who have already had their gallbladder removed or who need more support.

Light colored stools and constipation are often signs that bile salts are deficient, by the way.

Love your gallbladder, check the color of your stools, and keep tabs on your emotional wellbeing. Your body believes every word you say and every thought you think. Keep positive and surround yourself with happy people. If you are upset, give it up to a higher power and remember that life is a package of ups, downs, and in-betweens.

May you have a balanced rest of the week 😉

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Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

1 Comment

  1. Sharon Benson

    1. My gall bladder was removed 3 years ago. They discovered NASH condition in my liver. So, where does the liver store bile when the gall bladder is gone?

    2. How does this impact weight management?

    3. How does this relate to Fat Flush?

    Reply

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