The gall bladder is responsible for storing the bile that is made by the liver. This is important as bile breaks down fats digested in the diet. If we don’t drink enough water or have a poor diet, we develop what’s known as gall stones which are small stones made from cholesterol, bile and calcium salts. These can cause symptoms such as pain in the mid or upper right section of the abdomen that may come and go. Other symptoms may include acid reflux, gas, nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, they can prevent bile from flowing properly leading to an inflamed or infected gallbladder.
Want to get your gall bladder in good shape? Cut down on fatty foods. If you eat meat, avoid frying it. Instead, you can try to bake it, steam it, grill it or stir fry it. Season meats with antioxidants and anti inflammatories such as tumeric and cinnamon instead of just using salt and pepper. Salt draws out moisture inside the body and hardens arteries leading to cardiovascular problems. A little organic sea salt is better than sodium chloride as it is higher in iodine.
Stimulate bile flow by drinking the juice of half a lemon in warm water throughout the day. Other treatments include increasing dietary intake of lecithin (found in soy and eggs).
