Hi guys, I'm gallbladder, an obscure digestive hero. First of all, to clarify: I don't produce bile, I'm just a good helper for my liver and is responsible for transporting bile to the right place. Bile is made by the liver and is essential for breaking down and absorbing fats from food. My job is to receive bile from the liver, wait for the food to arrive, and then release it into the intestines.
Back in ancient times, human diets were unstable, with hunger and fullness. You may be well fed after a successful hunt, but you may starve for the next few days. In this case, if there is not enough bile, then it becomes difficult to digest these foods, not only wasting a large meal, but also leading to nutrient loss. Therefore, in those days, it was very important to stock up on a large amount of concentrated bile in order to handle large quantities of food. At that time, my liver and I were almost equal partners, and the bile produced by my liver was stored by me, ready to cope with a big meal.
But everything changed over time. People no longer have to worry about hunger, eating regularly and moderately, and my role has changed, but my workload has not diminished. In addition to storing bile, I am also responsible for concentrating bile. However, if it is over-concentrated, or the cholesterol and bilirubin in the bile crystals, gallstones may form, which is what we often call the gallstone problem.
How to avoid the occurrence of gallstones? It is enough to grasp the following points:
Weight management and regular diet: Obesity increases cholesterol levels in the body, which promotes the formation of gallstones. Conversely, sudden weight loss may lead to weakened gallbladder function, which also contributes to the formation of stones. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight and eating regularly, especially not missing breakfast, is essential to prevent gallstones.
High-fiber, low-fat diet: Studies have shown that a high-fat diet is a key factor in the formation of gallstones. To reduce this risk, a fiber-rich and low-fat diet is recommended to reduce cholesterol intake, which in turn reduces the likelihood of gallstones.
Exercise and avoid sitting for long periods of time: Lack of physical activity can reduce the ability of the gallbladder to contract, which can affect the normal excretion of bile. Therefore, increasing the amount of daily exercise and avoiding holding urine for long periods of time can help prevent the formation of gallstones.
Limit postprandial snacking: The habit of sitting down and snacking immediately after a meal may increase the risk of gallstones. This habit can increase intra-abdominal pressure and affect the normal functioning of the digestive system. Therefore, sitting for long periods of time after meals should be avoided to reduce the risk of gallstones.
These factors can increase the risk of gallstones
Irregular eating habits: Skipping breakfast, overeating an overserved and greasy dinner, or being hungry and full can cause erratic secretion of digestive juices and interfere with the normal production and excretion of bile. Of particular note is that people who have been fasting for long periods of time, especially those who have more than 12 hours between meals, have a higher risk of developing gallstones. This is due to the accumulation of bile in the gallbladder for a long time and over-concentration, which may eventually lead to the formation of stones.
High-fat diet: Frequent consumption of foods high in saturated fats (such as animal fats) and cholesterol increases the risk of gallstones. These eating habits can lead to an increase in cholesterol levels in the body, which can promote the formation of stones.
Metabolic factors: Cholesterol is naturally produced in the body even without direct intake of cholesterol and fats. Certain physiological or metabolic abnormalities can lead to high cholesterol levels in the body, which can lead to the formation of stones. For example, estrogen and progesterone levels change during pregnancy, and an enlarged uterus can put pressure on the gallbladder, leading to poor bile drainage and an increased risk of gallstones.