Nutrient / Supplement	Importance ( 1 - 10 )	Helpful notes
Omega fatty acids	10	they are important building blocks of every cell and are needed for prevention of gallstones or repairing the damage done by stones.
Carnitine	10	aids in digestion and processing of fats and helps to lower cholesterol
Multi-vitamin Mineral supplement	9	that contains vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E all of these can can be helpful with gallstones as well as general health and well being.  ( See details on each vitamin below)
vitamin A	10	needed for the repair of body tissues
Watercress	10	herb very good for gallstones as well as kidney, liver, and bladder health.
Chicory	9	herb that works well with dandelion with purifying properties
Dandelion	9	herb that has been used for centuries to help gallbladder and liver
B vitamin complex	9	needed for proper digestion and they help with cholesterol metabolism  and thus liver and gallbladder function. The B vitamin family also aids with depression, stress, and nervous system disorders.
Lecithin	9	aids in digestion and transport of fats
Magnesium	9	helps to relax the bile duct, reduce stress, and good for the nervous system
vitamin C	9	a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to gallstones
vitamin D	9	gall bladder problems may cause problems with vitamin D absorption in your body so you may need supplementation.
vitamin E	9	prevents fats from becoming rancid or bad
Alfalfa	8	herb that cleanses the liver and aids the gallbladder
Grape seed extract	8	help to reduce inflammation

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen. It stores bile, a yellow-brown fluid produced by the liver, and secretes bile into the small intestine to help digest fats. The gallbladder is connected to the liver and the small intestine by a series of tubes known as the bile ducts. In roughly 10 percent of the North American population, or 30 million people, these tubes are blocked by hard, crystalline structures called gallstones. People are more likely to develop gallstones as they age, and women are more prone to them than men. Over 80% of all gallstones are made of cholesterol. People with high cholesterol problems may have increased risk of gallstones. The stones form when the bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts. Cholesterol stones also may form if the gallbladder fails to empty frequently enough, or if the liver fails to secrete certain proteins into the bile. Other factors play a role in gallstones. Obesity is a big risk, mainly because of excess cholesterol and because the pressure that fat tissue places on the gallbladder effects emptying. Diabetes and hypothyroidism will also put a person at higher risk of gallstones. Increased levels of estrogen also increase chances of stones. Pregnancy increases estrogen levels, as do hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraceptives. 

Gallstone attacks frequently come after a large, fatty meal that follows a period of fasting. The pain associated with gallstones, steady and severe, is located in the upper abdomen. The pain may last from 1 to 4 hours and then be followed by a residual mild ache or soreness that may persist for a day or so. Nausea, vomiting, and chills frequently accompany gallstone attacks, and blood tests show elevated amounts of the liver pigment bilirubin, which may be reflected in dark urine and jaundice. Most people, though, have "silent stones," or stones causing no symptoms. Fever or chills with a gallstone attack indicates an underlying problem that requires medical attention. Less than 2% of all people who have gallstones, however, require surgery in any given year. People with silent stones detected during routine physicals are normally given cholesterol lowering medications. Herbs listed above are also used in gallstone treatment relieve the symptoms of cholecystitis, or gallbladder irritation, which include muscle spasms, pain, and general tension. 

 

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else