When you have symptoms of gallstone problems, it’s hard to focus on anything other than solutions. One of the keys to eliminating pain is to change your diet. Five foods can start to relieve your gallbladder fast:
- apples: As the saying goes: “An apple a day, keep the doctor away.” This certainly applies to the health of your gallbladder. Apples contain malic and tartaric acids that break down cholesterol. Since 80% of gallstones are made primarily of cholesterol, apples can soften or help dissolve gallstones. This is why most liver and gallstone hot flashes recommend eating apples or drinking organic, unfiltered apple juice in the days leading up to the hot flash.
- Artichokes: The artichoke is wonderful for your gallbladder. Encourages increased bile production. This, in turn, can lower the proportion of cholesterol in the gallbladder, which can help dissolve gallstones. Artichokes simultaneously reduce the production of cholesterol in the liver. While the artichoke “meat” from the leaves is fun to eat, it is often very slow. Artichoke hearts, of course, are much easier to eat. However, the easiest of all is to take artichoke extract or supplements.
- Radishes: There are several types of radishes in the world. In North America we often think of the Cherry Belle variety which is red on the outside and white on the inside and is about an inch in diameter; but there are many other types: Daikon (native to Japan), Black Radish (great for the gallbladder), and Red King, to name a few. Like the artichoke, radishes stimulate bile production and help break down fats, both of which are helpful if you have gallstone pain.
- Turmeric: This spice is often used in curry dishes, giving it a vibrant yellow-orange color. Curcumin is the beneficial component of turmeric that decreases inflammation, destroys liver cancer cells, and most importantly for the gallbladder, dissolves gallstones. Keep in mind that turmeric is best utilized by the body when consumed in conjunction with black pepper.
- Green leafy vegetables: Mothers all over the world bully their children into eating their spinach, and for good reason. The health benefits of green leafy vegetables like spinach go far beyond benefiting just the liver and gallbladder. Other greens like mustard greens, kale, and collard greens are just as effective. Vegetables contain chlorophyll, which helps make the body more alkaline. Foods that are acidic in nature (meat, dairy, sugar, grains, alcohol) leave an acidic ash in your body that must be removed by the liver. Eating vegetables reduces this residue, lessening the load on the liver and consequently the gallbladder.
If you or someone you know has gallstone pain, symptoms of gallbladder problems, or would like information on a healthy diet for gallstones, visit our site for optimal, natural gallbladder health.