The Gallbladder and Liver

Have you ever wondered just what functions your liver and gallbladder perform? The liver and the gallbladder serve as a team, working to eliminate toxins and other potentially harmful agents that are taken into the body. It is the liver, however, that does most of the work; the gallbladder is primarily a backup organ—it stores the bile that the liver produces and empties that bile into the small intestine where, with additional enzymes from the pancreas, food is further broken down for absorption. The liver is also responsible for metabolizing various foods and producing certain substances needed by the body.

Gallbladder Problems

Think of the gallbladder as the liver's sidekick. In comparison to the much larger liver (under which it appears to nestle for protection), the gallbladder has comparatively little to do. Primarily, it stores bile manufactured by the liver. When you eat a fatty meal, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the first section of the small intestine, which is called the duodenum. In fact, two signals of gallbladder problems include stomach pains and a bloated feeling after eating high-fat foods. Bitter herbs like gentian are the best way to stimulate bile-production and improve fat digestion.

Most North American physicians are not very concerned about bile deficiency, but European doctors do worry about this problem. If a patient of a European doctor is diagnosed as being bile-deficient, chances are, the physician will prescribe an herbal formula to correct the problem. Several European drugs contain one of the most potent bile stimulants in the plant world—dandelion. When the German over-the-counter drug Hepatichol—which is made mostly from dandelion—along with nettle and a few other herbs, was tested, the results were impressive. A study conducted in Germany in 1952 showed that all the people with gallbladder problems who took Hepatichol improved within only a few days.

Several compounds in turmeric increase bile and also help other bile stimulants do a better job. In the early 1970s, German researchers found that when turmeric was taken with milk thistle and celandine, it increased bile flow about six times more than when the herbs were used without it.

One of the most common—and most unpleasant—gallstones problems is gallstones. These little "stones" are usually formed from concentrated bile and cholesterol combined with minerals and pigments. Gallstones do not create much trouble until they journey out of the gallbladder through the narrow duct that leads into the small intestine. If the stones are large, this can be very painful. Even worse, if the stones get lodged in the duct, they can block the flow of bile, upset the digestion of fats and cause inflammation, infection and even jaundice.

Because of these serious consequences, any gallstones treatment should be conducted only under the expert care of a health care professional. Any herbs that increase the production and flow of bile will encourage gallstones to move along. However, if the stones are moved out into the duct or are already blocking it, you could make things worse instead of better by taking herbs. This is particularly true of "the liver flush"—a popular home treatment for gallstones. If someone recommends drinking this unappetizing combination of olive oil and lemon juice, be wary. I have heard many people describe the impressively large "gallstones" that they magically passed with no pain. According to Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., the authors of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, these are not gallstones at all, but rather balls formed when a chemical reaction causes oil and lemon to combine with minerals in the intestine.

 British physicians suggest the over-the-counter drug Rowachol, which contains a mixture of compounds from numerous herbs, including peppermint. Several studies proving this drug's effectiveness in dissolving gallstones have been done in England. This product is not readily available in North America, but capsules of peppermint essential oil are. If you want to take these capsules, you should take one or two with each meal. Also, you should know that the enteric-coated ones are best—they will act most directly because their special coating will not dissolve until they reach the intestines.

The best use for herbs is for preventing gallbladder attacks in the first place. Dandelion root, yellow dock, wahoo and radish root were once considered so effective in treating stones that they were listed in the U.S. Dispensatory, a common doctor's prescription guide. Milk thistle, and artichoke all help prevent gallstones by making bile less saturated. Whatever route you choose to treat your stones, you can reduce the inflammation with marshmallow, chamomile and an old Russian folk remedy, nettle.

A diet that contains too much refined food and too little fiber may be at least partially responsible for gallstones. With such a diet, the gallbladder secretes less acid into the bile fluid. The body needs this acid to dissolve cholesterol. Without sufficient acid, cholesterol builds up into stones. One reason that vegetarians hardly ever get gallstones may be that they eat so much fiber.

Helpful Tips

Even if the procedure is less traumatic than it once was, your best policy is to make a few lifestyle changes that can help prevent the process from starting. Here are some ways to help stop the stones before they get rolling.

Reduce the fat in your diet. "Fat stimulates the gallbladder to release bile into the gastrointestinal tract for digestion," says Dr. Jackson. "So the more fat you eat, the more the gallbladder is stimulated to contract, and the more likely a stone will get stuck in the duct." Some experts agree that you should get no more (and preferably less) than 25 percent of your total daily calories from fat. Of course, by eating less fat—particularly the saturated fat found in meat and most dairy products—you may also lower cholesterol and keep your weight in check. So what's good for your gallbladder could also be good for your waistline.

Put off the pounds. The heavier you are, the greater your chance of developing gallstones, says Dr. Gordon. Being overweight may cause bile in the gallbladder to become super-saturated with cholesterol. "That could affect the ability of the gallbladder to contract," she says. "If bile doesn't empty through the bile ducts, the chances of developing a stone increase."

But lose it slowly. While losing a few pounds is often good, losing too much too fast puts you in the gallstone danger zone, says Dr. Gordon. Rapid weight loss causes cholesterol levels in the gallbladder to rise, making stones more likely to form. If you're trying to shed 10 percent of your body weight, for instance, try to lose 2 percent every month for five months—rather than 5 percent each month for two months, suggests Dr. Gordon.

Eat less rather than more. Eating several small meals throughout the day puts less stress on the gallbladder than having one (or two or three) big meals, says Dr. George. With more frequent and smaller meals, "the gallbladder doesn't have to process as much fat at one time, which makes it less likely to malfunction."

Figure on more fiber. Getting additional dietary fiber may go a long way toward keeping your digestion healthy. "Studies show animals with diets high in fiber have fewer gallstones," says Dr. Gordon.

Observe estrogen caution. Women who take estrogen are at higher risk for having high levels of cholesterol in the gallbladder, says Dr. George. If you're taking hormones, whether for birth control or as part of a hormone-replacement plan, ask your doctor if this may be a problem for you.