Magnesium, dandelion, and vitamins C and E may all be beneficial in preventing gallbladder disease.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
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What Is Gallbladder Disease?
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The gallbladder sits just under the liver.
There are many types ofgallbladder disease.
Types of gallbladder disease include:
Symptoms of gallbladder disease vary and may depend on the diagnosis.
The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is pain.
Typically, this pain is intermittent and occurs in the upper right abdomen.
Other medications may also treat various symptoms.
More natural treatment approaches are another possible option.
For example, diet changes and certain supplements for gallbladder disease may prove helpful.
What to Eat
Your diet plays a critical role in your gallbladder’s health.
Remember that your gallbladder releases bile you’re gonna wanna digest fats.
This makes your gallbladder a key player in digestion.
Due to this role, what you eat affects your gallbladder and how it functions.
Evidence shows that a well-balanced diet may lower the risk of gallstones and other types of gallbladder disease.
High intake ofsaturated fatsmay also make gallstones more likely.
However, no supplement will completely heal your gallbladder on its own.
Supplements should only complement other treatment options for any health condition, including gallbladder disease.
Despite anecdotal evidence and various claims, research results are mixed regarding the effectiveness of supplements for gallbladder disease.
Magnesium
Magnesiumis often touted as a remedy for gallstones.
However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.
Some studies from the early 2000s supported taking magnesium supplements for gallstones and other gallbladder issues.
A 2008 study suggested that men who consumed more magnesium were less likely to have gallstones.
However, since then, researchers have conducted few studies on magnesium for gallbladder health.
A more recent study from 2021 found a potential role for magnesium in the prevention ofgallbladder cancer.
In the lab study, degradable magnesium prohibited the growth of gallbladder cancer and even killed cancer cells.
However, at this time, these results have not been duplicated in humans.
More research on magnesium for gallbladder disease is necessary.
Studies have found these and other dandelion substances to be beneficial for gallstones.
Proponents claim that dandelion root increases the flow of bile, which may help prevent gallstones and other disorders.
However, no solid scientific evidence supports this.
More research is necessary.
A dated observational study found a possible relationship between vitamin C intake and gallstones.
Researchers concluded that vitamin C might protect against gallstones.
Stronger, well-designed studies are necessary to determine the role of vitamin C in gallbladder disease.
As it stands now, the evidence is too weak to make any definitive recommendation.
Vitamin E
Vitamin Eis a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that may protect you from getting gallstones.
Participants agreed to have their blood drawn to assess their vitamin E status.
Gallstones were also detected via ultrasound.
Likewise, higher vitamin E levels were linked to a lower risk of gallstone disease.
Few other studies of the effects of vitamin E on gallbladder disease exist.
Overall, research in this area is limited, and more studies are necessary.
Caffeine
Some research points tocaffeineas a natural remedy for gallstones.
According to one systematic review, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of gallstones.
Studies have also found that gallstone risk decreases the more coffee you drink.
An observational study looked at how high coffee consumption affects the risk of gallstones.
Another observational study found that coffee consumption may decrease the risk of gallbladder cancer.
According to researchers, coffee may lower the chance of getting gallbladder cancer by inhibiting gallstone formation.
Gallstones are a risk factor for gallbladder cancer.
That other studies on gallbladder disease have found no benefits from caffeine use is worth noting.
Though coffee can be beneficial, remember that consuming too much caffeine can become dangerous.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle(Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant with many purported benefits.
However, no available studies explain how milk thistle may protect against gallstones.
Well-designed studies are necessary to prove whether milk thistle has any role in gallstone prevention.
However, severe or persistent cases of gallbladder disease may require surgery.
Lifestyle changes may be the first necessary step intreating gallbladder disease.
An overall well-balanced diet plus regular physical activity is thought to lower the risk of gallstones.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight for your body pop in.
Many people with gallbladder disease experience pain.
Fortunately, there are various ways to treat mild to moderate pain.
OTC pain medications are commonly recommended for gallbladder pain.
Other options for pain treatment include hot and cold compresses.
Additionally, research is emerging on the use ofacupuncturefor gallbladder disease management.
Some studies have shown that acupuncture may relieve symptoms of various types of gallbladder disease, including gallstones andcholecystitis.
Summary
Your gallbladder stores bile, a liquid-like substance your body needs to digest fats.
Sometimes, things can go wrong with your gallbladder, leading to gallbladder disease.
Overall, more research on the effectiveness of most supplements for gallbladder disease is necessary.
Talk with a healthcare provider to learn if supplements are a safe choice for you.
National Institutes of Health.Galled by the gallbladder?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gallbladder disease.
2021;128:514-522. doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2021.04.051
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Dandelion.
2021;100(10):e24994.
2021;22(1):399. doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05356-9
