RE: cholesterol vs calcium stones

[Guest guest]

finally found the answer I was looking for a few weeks ago regarding calcium

vs cholesterol stones. The following is taken from this website:

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/gcrc/ticm/LectureNotes/Management%20of%20Gallst

one%20Disease%20-%20Dr.%20%20Lind_2005.pdf#search='cholesterol%20

vs%20calcium%20gallstones'

- 80% of gallstones in U.S. are pure cholesterol or mixed stones with at

least 50% cholesterol;

- 20 % of gallstones are pigment and/or calcified stones.

- Pigment stones (e.g. Calcium-bilirubinate) major risk factors:

Chronic hemolysis

Alcoholic cirrhosis

Biliary infection

Age

Demographic characteristics: Far East more than West, rural more than urban

- Cholesterol stones major risk factors

Obesity

Female sex hormones

Bile acid malabsorption

High calorie diet (? high polyunsaturated fat) clofibrate, gemfibrozil, ?

cholestyramine, rapid

Weight loss,

Demographic characteristics: Northern European, North and South America,

American

Indians, family history

*Note - " healthy " activities such as diet high in polyunsaturated fats,

rapid weight loss or

taking a cholesterol lowering drug may increase the risk of cholesterol

gallstone disease.