Unfortunately, the consequences of gallbladder removal are often not addressed by doctors. The gallbladder is essentially a small sac that sits underneath the liver. It stores the bile that is produced by the liver and secretes in response to various stimuli. Without the gallbladder, the liver continues to produce bile but cannot secrete enough to properly digest a full meal. A host of digestive problems can result including diarrhea, gas, abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, constipation, increased allergies, liver congestion, itchy skin and autoimmune diseases. In most respects, your digestion of starches, sugars, and protein should be approximately the same as they were before. Your digestion of fat may be altered quite a bit. The function of the bile is to emulsify fat and prepare it for further digestion by the fat-digesting (lipase) enzymes. If this does not occur effectively, it can definitely affect digestion and possibly decrease your absorption of fat-soluble nutrients. Some practitioners also believe that restricted bile secretion can lead to loss of peristalsis, or movement of the colon necessary for proper elimination.
The good news here is that there are steps that you can take to help maintain good digestion and to support the liver. Following are some steps that may be beneficial:
• Liver Flush - Every four months. People without gallbladders may develop stones in the liver which will lead to a sluggish liver. Protocol can be found at
www.ghchealth.com/liver-and-gallbladder-flush.html
• Parasite Cleanse - Two times a year. I recommend a six-week course of Paratrex™ then maintenance for 3 weeks.
• Digestive Enzymes - Take 3-5 capsules at least 15 minutes before each meal. You will need to take enzymes for the rest of your life in order to digest the good fats (Omega
3) which are essential for good health.
• Reduce chemical overload on the liver (pre-packaged food, personal care products, lawn products, perfumes, cosmetics, etc.)
• Drink only filtered water - Try to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water every day.
• Use a Probiotic - I recommend Latero-Flora or Primal Defense.
• Reduce animal intake (meat and dairy) - When consuming animal products make sure they are free-range, organic and hormone-free.
• Eliminate white sugar and white flour.
• Consume a green drink or pills equal to one-two tablespoons daily. Quantum Greens is a good choice.
• Activated Charcoal - Some people have found that this helps with symptoms as it helps to sequester bile acid.
• Chinese Bitters (Chinese Gentian with Bupleurum) in the morning and Coptis with Bupleurum at night to stimulate bile flow.
• Exercise daily for 30 minutes. Walking is highly suggested
