The Liver Cleanse Myth and Gallstones
By Dr. Ron McCluskey
by Dr. Ron McCluskey
There is a lot of information available that claims that the
body needs your help keeping your liver clean. They claim that the liver becomes
toxic and there must be certain things done to detoxify it. There are even
special diets that will get rid of your gallstones. But, the truth is that the
liver was designed to detoxify your body. There is no reason for you to detoxify
it.
Getting Rid of the Myth
Let's get rid of the gallstone diet myth first. The claim here
is that by using certain things in your diet, you can make your gallstones pass
into your bowel and then into the toilet. Supposedly, if you look in your stool
when using this diet, you will find gallstones.
But, look at the facts. The tube between the gallbladder and
the small intestine is called the bile duct. The end of the bile duct is the
ampule of Vater. The final part of the bile duct goes through the pancreas and
shares a small part of the tube with the duct from the pancreas.
The ampule of Vater normally has about the same diameter as a
pencil lead. So, what do you think would happen if you make a gallstone start traveling
down the bile duct? Well, if it is smaller in diameter than a pencil lead, it
should pass through without any problem. But, would it be big enough to even
notice in your stool? Hardly!
In fact, if you were successful in making a stone larger than
that leave your gallbladder and enter the bile duct, you would immediately
become very uncomfortable. The pain would start under your ribcage in front on
the right - or sometimes in your back - and pass across to the other side under
your ribs. The pain would typically also go to your back on the right and cause
nausea as well.
But those that push the liver cleansing diet don't ever even
mention any possible complications like that. In fact, there are even worse
possible complications. If a stone became stuck at the ampule of Vater, the back
pressure could also cause inflammation of the Pancreas. That would result in
Pancreatitis - a very painful and potentially fatal condition. These people
often need emergency surgery.
There are a couple of medications that causes gallstones to
shrink ursodiol (Actigall) or chenodiol (Chenix). But,
these medications can take years to work and don't prevent the gallstones from
coming back.
So, what are people seeing in the toilet that looks like
gallstones? I have not seen any actual chemical analysis of these crystals, but
my guess would be a component of the apple juice or olive oil that crystallizes
in the presence of stomach acid.
Gallstone Prevention
The exact cause of many gallstones is not known, but we know
that there are several things that contribute. These include a high fat diet and
being overweight, heritage and having given birth to children. Another
surprising thing that seems to cause them is rapid weight loss and a very low
fat diet. The rapid weight loss contributes to gallstones because the liver
pumps out cholesterol in the bile and it becomes so concentrated that it can
form stones.
The gallbladder's normal function is to collect and
concentrate the bile. The bile is used to help digest fatty and oily foods. When
you eat something containing fat or oil - like something fried - the gallbladder
squeezes out bile. So, those that never eat anything with fat or oil do not ever
have the gallbladder emptied. The bile then becomes more and more concentrated
until crystals start to form.
Unfortunately, there may be no way to completely avoid
gallstones if your ancestors had them. But, you may be able to decrease the
chance of getting them by several methods.
First, try to maintain a reasonable weight. Being
overweight or underweight increases your chances of getting gallstones.
Second, drink enough fluids. Any time you are dehydrated,
you can make the bile become more concentrated and gallstones can result.
Third, keep up with your good balanced diet. Don't eat a
lot of fats. But, don't avoid them altogether. As always, the best fats are
those you get in their natural state. The best place to get corn oil is by
eating corn. The best place to get olive oil is by eating olives. If you
want to avoid anything it is highly refined food.
Fourth, a good exercise program will keep the blood flow
through your liver and gallbladder at good levels and will help with any
problems that may occur.
Finally, if you do develop pain that sounds like it may be a
problem with your gallbladder, see your doctor. If you do have pain from
gallstones, the best and final treatment is still surgery. I hate to tell you
that, but it remains true. I can show you the scars.
Dr. Ron is an Emergency Room physician with over twenty years experience in the health care field. He often treats people for problems with their weight. Come to
Balanced Diet Health now for more great resources. About the Author
Dr. Ron is an Emergency Room physician with over twenty years experience in the health care field. He often treats people for problems with their weight. Come to
Balanced Diet Health now for more great resources.
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