Gallbladder
The bile reservoir. Your gallbladder stores and concentrates bile made by the liver, releasing it when you eat fat. Without proper bile flow, you can't digest fats or absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Gallstones affect 20% of adults, and millions live without this organ.
Gallbladder Function
Bile Storage
Holds bile between meals. Liver makes bile continuously. Gallbladder stores until needed.
Bile Concentration
Removes water, concentrates 5-10x. More potent bile for digestion. Efficient storage.
Fat Trigger Release
CCK hormone signals release. Fat in duodenum triggers. Squeezes bile into intestine.
Gallbladder Problems
Gallstones
Cholesterol or pigment stones. Form from supersaturated bile. Can block ducts. Pain, inflammation.
Biliary Sludge
Thick, sluggish bile. Precursor to stones. From fasting, rapid weight loss. Can cause symptoms.
Cholecystitis
Gallbladder inflammation. Usually from stones. Severe pain. May need removal.
Low-Functioning
Doesn't contract properly. Bile not released. Fat maldigestion. May feel like stone symptoms.
Removal Consequences
No concentration of bile. Continuous trickle. Fat digestion harder. Need bile support.
Risk Factors
"4 F's": Female, Forty, Fat, Fertile. Rapid weight loss. Low-fat diets. Genetics.
Supporting Gallbladder Health
Eat Healthy Fats
Keeps bile flowing. Low-fat diets cause stagnation. Olive oil, avocado. Don't fear fat.
Bitter Foods
Stimulate bile release. Arugula, dandelion, artichoke. Swedish bitters. Before meals.
Ox Bile Supplements
If gallbladder removed. With fatty meals. Replaces missing bile. Common need.
Taurine
Conjugates bile acids. Thins bile. Prevents sludge. 500-2000mg daily.
Phosphatidylcholine
Keeps cholesterol in solution. Prevents stone formation. Lecithin is source.
Avoid Rapid Weight Loss
Major stone risk. Slow, steady weight loss. Don't crash diet. Keep eating some fat.