Gallstones

Overview

Gallstones are a hard mass usually composed of a mixture of Bile Pigments, Cholesterol, Calcium Bilirubinate and Calcium Carbonate that can form in the Gall Bladder or Bile Ducts. Gallstones can cause an obstruction which can become very painful and may cause an infection requiring a cholecystectomy.

Gallstones are extremely common in the Western world.

 Gallstones are more prevalent in women than in men.

 Approximately 20% of women and 8% of men over the age of 40 are found to have Gallstones.

Alcohols

 Small amounts of Alcohol (ethanol, up to 40 grams per day) may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[1]

 Lignin may help to prevent Gallstones by binding with Bile Acids.  ^[2]

Alkaloids

 Betaine Hydrochloride (Betaine HCl) may reduce the risk of Gallstones in persons with low levels of Hydrochloric Acid (i.e. in persons afflicted with Hypochlorhydria). 

Amino Acids

 Arginine supplementation may decrease the incidence of Gallstones. 

 Methionine may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[3]

 Taurine may help to prevent the formation of (Cholesterol) Gallstones.  ^[4]

Bile Acids

 Ursodeoxycholic Acid may dissolve (Cholesterol) Gallstones.

Carbohydrates

 Pectins may help to prevent Gallstones from forming. 

 Psyllium may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[5]

Digestive Chemicals

 Bile Saltsmay help to prevent Cholesterol from precipitating into Gallstones. 

Hormones

 Melatonin may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[6]

Lipids

 Limonene may dissolve Gallstones.  ^[7]

 Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) may help to prevent Gallstones (because MCTs can be reabsorbed and hydrolyzed without the use of Bile Acids or Pancreatic Lipase).  ^[8]

 Menthol may help to prevent and treat (dissolve) Gallstones. 

 Monounsaturated Fatty Acids may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[9]

 Phosphatidylcholine (300 - 2,000 mg per day) may help to prevent and possibly treat Gallstones (if the Phosphatidylchone:Cholesterol ratio of Bile decreases, the risk of Gallstones increases).  ^[10]

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids may help to prevent Gallstones:  ^[11]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[12]

Minerals

 Magnesium may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[13]

 Manganese may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[14]

Patented Medicines

 Aspirin may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[15]

Polyphenols

 Curcumin may help to prevent Gallstones.  ^[16]

 Genistein (50 mg per day) may help to prevent Gallstones. 

 Silymarin may help to prevent Gallstones (by reducing the quantity of Cholesterol byproducts in Bile).  ^[17]