Foods that dissolve gallstones

The appearance of gallstones in the gallbladder is a common problem. And, although the diet can not solve it, the question of what you can eat and what you can not eat in gallstone disease, bothers many people - and not in vain. Changing the diet, following certain recommendations of nutritionists can slow down stone formation, reduce the frequency of recurrences.

Basic principles of dietary nutrition in cholelithiasis

What you can eat and what you can not eat with cholelithiasis is practically described in the annotation to the dietary table No. 5. It is this diet allows you to stabilize the composition of bile, reduce cholesterol, normalize the water-electrolyte balance in the body. Of course, diet alone is not enough: it is important to follow all recommendations regarding drug treatment, and if necessary - to undergo a course of shockwave therapy or surgery.

Diet for patients with gallstone disease involves some restrictions, but in general the diet should remain balanced. It is necessary to control that with products the body receives a sufficient amount of vitamins, trace elements, proteins, carbohydrates, "correct" fats. Foods containing high levels of cholesterol should be excluded.

Nutrition of people with cholelithiasis should include pectins, fiber. The amount of fats is minimized, giving preference to high-quality vegetable oils.

The daily diet should consist of several small meals at approximately the same time (we are talking about the so-called fractional diet). It is important to follow the drinking regime: drink warm clean water, loose tea, berry and fruit compotes and sours, unconcentrated homemade vegetable and fruit fresh juices. The recommended daily fluid volume is from one and a half to two liters.

The food is cooked in a steamer, stewed with some liquid, baked (without crusts), boiled. Use a grill for cooking should not be used. Patients suffering from cholelithiasis, it is desirable to exclude from the menu fried, smoked, spicy and too salty dishes. Under the ban also fall alcoholic beverages, sweets, fast food and convenience foods. Sausage products, meat broths, subproducts are also limited.

Foods and diet can affect the composition of bile and may help prevent gallstones from forming or even dissolve some types of gallstones. However, it is important to note that diet cannot always dissolve existing stones. Instead, it can help prevent the formation of new stones or reduce the risk of stone formation. Here are some foods and food components that may be helpful:

Dissolving cholesterol stones

1. Unsaturated Fats: Foods rich in unsaturated fats such as olive oil, avocados and fish can help lower cholesterol levels in the bile and help dissolve cholesterol stones.
2. Fiber: Dietary fiber, especially water-soluble fiber, can bind cholesterol in bile and help remove it from the body.

Here's how dietary fiber can affect stone dissolution:

• Cholesterol Binding: Soluble fiber has the ability to bind cholesterol and other fats in bile, forming complexes that are more easily dissolved in water. This may help reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the bile and prevent the formation of new stones.
• Increase bile acid metabolism: Soluble fiber may help increase bile acid metabolism, which may reduce cholesterol levels in the bile and help dissolve stones.
• Reducing cholesterol absorption from food: Dietary fiber can help reduce cholesterol absorption from food in the intestines, which can also reduce cholesterol levels in bile.

Foods rich in soluble fiber include oats, barley, apples, pears, citrus fruits, beans, peas and flaxseed. Including these foods in the diet can be beneficial for those with cholesterol stones or high bile cholesterol levels.

3. Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as lemons and limes contain citrate, which can help prevent stone formation and even help dissolve cholesterol stones.

Citrate is a natural substance that can help in the process of dissolving cholesterol stones in the gallbladder. Here's how citrate can affect stone dissolution:

1. Reduction of cholesterol concentration: Citrate helps to reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the bile. The lower the cholesterol level, the less likely cholesterol stones are to form and grow.
2. Prevent cholesterol crystallization: Citrate may help prevent cholesterol from crystallizing in the bile, which is the first step in stone formation.
3. Increased cholesterol solubility: Citrate increases the solubility of cholesterol in bile, which helps dissolve stones.

Therefore, including citrus fruits such as lemons and limes in the diet can be beneficial for those who have cholesterol stones or high cholesterol levels in the bile.

What can and what can not?

What can I eat?

In case of gallstone disease, the basis of the diet should be side dishes, first courses, vegetables, lean meat and fish dishes, eggs. Fruits, dairy products, bread (not the first freshness, for example, yesterday), vegetable oils are not forbidden.

For breakfast, it is better to choose light dishes - for example, boiled eggs, steamed omelet or frittata, oatmeal porridge.

For lunch, it is optimal to prepare a first course. Vegetable soup is ideal. Also recommended are lean meat or fish dishes, side dishes (stewed or baked vegetables, buckwheat, rice, perlovka).

It is better to have dinner with vegetable, dairy dishes, salads with vegetable oil. As a snack it is useful to use yogurt, ryazhenka, low-fat cottage cheese, cheese, apples, souffles and casseroles based on pumpkin, zucchini.

What can't you eat?

When gallstone disease is prohibited spicy seasoned dishes, with a lot of fat, as well as smoked meats, pickles, saturated salty food.

The menu should be absent:

• meat, mushroom, fish broths (vegetable broths can be used instead);
• carbonated drinks, cocoa, chocolate;
• alcoholic beverages;
• muffins, fresh bread;
• convenience foods, fast food;
• fatty meat, fatty fish, lard, sausages (only diet sausages and sausages are allowed), offal (liver, lungs, etc.);
• sauces (including mayonnaise), ketchup, ajika;
• smoked meats;
• canned food (both vegetable, meat or fish).

You should not be fond of coffee, strong tea. It is better to replace them with tea based on chamomile or mint, rosehip infusion, vegetable juices, water with the addition of lemon juice.

If there are still doubts about what you can eat and what you can not eat with cholelithiasis, you should consult with your doctor, so as not to aggravate the course of the disease and not to worsen your health.

Preventing the formation of pigment stones

• Maintaining a normal weight: Obesity can be a risk factor for gallstones, including pigment stones. Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent them from forming.
• Limit saturated fat and fast carbohydrates: These dietary components can increase the risk of stone formation, so limiting their intake can be beneficial.
• Moderate alcohol consumption: Moderate alcohol consumption, especially wine, may be associated with a reduced risk of stone formation.
• Drinking regimen: Proper fluid intake, especially water, can help in maintaining a normal concentration of bile components and preventing stone formation.

It is important to consult your doctor or dietitian if you have an increased risk of gallstones or if you have already been diagnosed with gallstones. Diet and lifestyle changes can be part of comprehensive treatment and prevention, but an individualized diet plan should be tailored to your health status and medical advice.

When it comes to dissolving already existing gallstones, it should be noted that this is not always possible with diet and products. The effectiveness of dissolving stones depends on their composition, size, and length of time they have been in the gallbladder. In most cases, if the stones are causing symptoms or complications, it may be necessary surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) or other medical procedures.

Foods and diet can be helpful in preventing and managing the risk of stone formation, but they are not a radical means of dissolving stones that already exist.

If you suspect or are concerned about the risk of gallstones, it is recommended that you see a doctor or nutritionist for advice and to develop an individualized diet and treatment plan. Diet and lifestyle management can help reduce the risk of stone formation and relieve symptoms of gallstone disease.