Gallstones (liver stones) are stones formed in the gallbladder out of bile components (usually mostly cholesterol).
Symptoms
Most gallstones don’t cause any symptoms but if they block one of the bile ducts, they can cause severe pain which may last from few minutes to few hours.
Gallstones may trigger yellow colour of the skin and eyes (jaundice due to the blocked by stones bile duct), high temperature, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, itchy skin, and other symptoms.
Complications
Since presence of bile in the intestines is essential for proper digestion and absorption of fats, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and calcium, gallstones that block the flow of bile into intestines may lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, constipation, diarrhoea, and may contribute to some life-threatening conditions including colorectal cancer or heart disease.
Causes of Gallstones, Liver Stones
- Unhealthy, refined and high in cholesterol diet (gallstones consist of 90% cholesterol + some bile).
- Dehydration (drinking insufficient amount of water makes bile thicker and easy to form stones especially when combined with a high-cholesterol diet).
- Diet high in animal protein and fat, meat products, dairy, eggs, poultry, custards, etc.
- Stimulants such as coffee can contribute too.
- Excessive oestrogen levels may also contribute to the formation of gallstones.
How to Prevent the Formation of Gallstones and Liver Stones
- Because the key cause of gallstones is dietary cholesterol you need to learn what food to consume and how to lower cholesterol. In addition take good quality nutritional supplements such as Colestroforte to support healthy cholesterol levels.
- Since apart from cholesterol also dehydration is another key cause of gallstones you need to drink plenty of soft (low in calcium) filtered water.
- Serrapeptase has been traditionally used to dissolve and remove dead tissue in the body, including stones.
- Take supplements containing Vitamin K complex as the deficiency of Vitamin K1 and K2 contributes to the formation of stones as well as to calcium deposits in the arteries.
- Liver health supporting nutritional supplements and formulations such as Livercare benefit liver function and bile flow thus helping prevent thickening of the bile and forming stones.
- If possible, go on unrefined plant-base diet or at least significantly reduce all animal foods (meat, dairy, etc.) and avoid foods with refined sugar and white flour products.
- If stones cause pain, place a hot fomentation or hot compress (heat pack) on the liver area as heat enlarges the liver tissue, gall bladder and bile duct thus reducing the pain. In addition, drink one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water or water with added 100% apple juice (if you can’t tolerate the taste).
- Taking supplemental magnesium such as magnesium citrate powder may help decrease the risk of gallstones.
- Consuming raw pears, cold-pressed olive oil with fresh lemon juice and curcumin is traditionally believed to help to soften gallstones and bring some relief to the pain.
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