Gallstones are crystalline formations made up of cholesterol and calcium found in the gall bladder and in the ducts. These stones can be of various sizes, from the size of a dash of salt to the size of a golf ball. The presence of gallstones points to the dysfunction of the liver. When the liver performs its detoxifying function deficiently, gallstones are formed, which greatly endanger health.
The gall bladder stores the bile produced by the liver; bile is necessary to break down and metabolize fats. Storing an extra amount of bile makes it possible for the digestive system to digest efficiently foods rich in fat such as steak and eggs. However, when toxic materials accumulate in the liver and the gall bladder, the liver can’t produce bile efficiently, and this is what leads to the formation of gallstones.
As the stones become larger and larger, they interfere with digestion, and a mild or stronger pain may appear in the upper part of the abdomen. These painful periods usually happen in the evening, after consuming fat foods. Other symptoms that accompany pain are bloating, belching, gas production, greasy stools, low energy levels and diarrhea.
At the same time, the gall bladder can host infectious microorganisms such as E. coli and bacteroides, which represent an additional strain onto the functioning of the liver and the gall bladder. These infections can cause life threatening problems, so it is imperative to treat them. Fermented foods and probiotics prevent the spreading of these microorganisms, and reduce the severity of the infection.
It is possible to fight gallstones naturally with an inflammation-reducing diet and an internal cleansing cure. The diet in question is rich in phytonutrients, and it comes from organic fruit and vegetables and animals fed with grass, as well as healthy sources of fats such as avocado, coconut and olive oil.
Cheese made from the milk of cows and goats few with hay is an important part of the diet, as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D3 and K2, which help regulate the metabolism of the calcium and prevent the appearance of gall bladders. Foods rich in organic acids and natural enzymes are especially important to the entire digestive system including the liver and the gall bladder. Such foods include apple cider vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lime, kombucha, kimchi and red and white cabbage. Raw are also very beneficial.
The health of the liver also depends on regular fasting periods, which cleanse and detoxify the liver efficiently. Fasting for 12 hours between breakfast and dinner is an excellent habit. If you finish your dinner at 8 p.m., don’t eat solid food for at least 8 hours. This provides the body with 4 hours to digest and metabolize food, and 8 hours for the liver for self-cleansing.
If you got used to this 12 hour per day detoxification cycle, you may attempt to increase the intervals. For example, have 16 hours of liquid diet cycles 2 or 3 times a week, periodically switching to a 24 hour period of drinking only liquids. these fasting periods are much easier than most of us could imagine, and they have excellent results in detoxifying the liver. You may drink fresh vegetable juices, fermented whey, kombucha and sugarless lemonade. The liquids and the nutrients provide the body with very pure energy, and they improve the ability of the liver to cleanse itself from the toxins; bowel movements will also be improved.
Everybody who is susceptible to gallstones should have a liquid diet with lots of water and lemon juice, fermented whey, coconut kefir and fresh organic vegetables. They should reduce the amount of solid food and inflammation-inducing foods as well.