non-fatty food causing attacks?

April 13, 2003

Can someone provide me, please, with a list of (or links to) non-fat

foods that might stimulate the gallbladder and cause an attack.

I just had another horrible long attack that started last night, and

I can't figure what caused it. (My gallbladder is still inflamed from

an attack I had 1 week ago and I really need to rest it for a while.)

For dinner, I had artichoks, a bit of corn, a bit of pepper,

cucumber, and about 1oz of chicken breast. The whole week I've been

eating non-fatty food and drinking apple juice, eating vegies,

fruits, and bread. Now, I'm wondering whether the foods that are good

for dissolving gallstones (apple juice, artichoks) could also cause

an attack. I've never had attacks before unless I'd eaten some fatty

foods.

Thanks,

Zora

April 13, 2003

Dear Zora,

Many things can cause an attack. It may be fats, but it may also be

foods which stimulate bile formation. If your gallbladder is

swollen and sore from attacks, avoiding foods which stimulate the

bile formation will help the gallbladder to return to a

healthier/non-painful condition. In other words, give it a rest.

When you are better, introduce the things which will help to thin

out the bile and prevent formation of stones.

Black radish, beets, hot peppers, alcohol, and artichoke stimulate

bile.

Foods that are known to induce an attack.- " The most frequently

offending foods are eggs, pork, onions, poultry, milk, coffee,

oranges, corn, beans, and nuts. "

" Since maximum liver function is essential for proper bile

formation, it is also important to reduce chemical stress upon the

liver (remember, the liver produces the bile which must have proper

levels of cholesterol, bile acids and lecithin and synthetic

chemicals are well known for weakening liver function). Therefore,

it is important you look carefully at your lifestyle habits and

eliminate as many chemical sources as possible that may compromise

proper liver function. This may include chemicals in the home or

job such as solvents, gasoline, paints, fingernail polish, hair

sprays, facial cosmetic products, vinyl products, pesticides,

artificial food additives (a very important factor) such as

artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservative chemicals

such as sodium benzoate and others. In other words, begin eating

natural based foods, rather than foods containing petroleum based

products used to enhance flavors and shelf life. Lets save the

petroleum products for our automobiles...... "

from http://www.chem-tox.com/gallstones/

These are foods that may help to ease your gallbladder- Oats,

legumes, vegetables, and fruits are rich in soluble fiber, which

helps limit the rise in blood sugar after eating. High blood sugar

levels tend to raise bile cholesterol.

Suzanne

" z_wloka2 " <z_wloka2@y...> wrote:

> Can someone provide me, please, with a list of (or links to) non-

fat

> foods that might stimulate the gallbladder and cause an attack.

> Zora

April 14, 2003

Thanks Suzanne for all the great ideas and info! I also suspected

that eating foods stimulating the gallbladder and the bile were the

cause of my recent attack, since my inflamed and swollen gallbladder

and ducts are probably more sensitive to stimulation.

You said in your e-mail that bile acids and lecithin weaken the liver

function. I've been considering taking lecithin and bile acids to

hopefully dissolve the gallstones. I've just persuaded my GI doctor

to prescribe me the bile acid ursodiol. It was really difficult to

persuade him; the only option he'd give me was a surgery. I had to

show him books which proved that I was a good candidate for this

treatment (small stones developed during pregnancy). The description

of ursodilol said that it replaces other naturally occuring bile

acids in the liver which are actually more toxic. So in fact ursodiol

is less toxic for the liver and it even improves the liver enzymes

and function. But now I wonder- is it a bad idea to take the bile

acids and lecithin?

Regarding your suggestion of avoiding chemicals: ever since I started

preparing food for my son (he is 22 months now) I've been trying to

buy mostly organic and natural foods, and clean with bio-degradable

cleaners. However, they are a lot more expensive. Sometimes I wonder

if it's worth it and how much difference it makes to our health.

I'm really happy that I found this group. I hope it'll help me avoid

the gallbladder surgery that all the doctors so eagerly recommend.

I've come to the conclusion that my liver must be really congested

and in need of deep cleansing. I have a number of other symptoms that

point to it. I just read Chang's web page, and I found I have

almost all of the medical problems she's gone through. I guess the

congested liver is a result of my growing up on processed foods --

salami, hot dogs, milk and meat loaded with hormones and antibiotics.

I hope my gallbladder inflamation is going to calm down soon so I can

do the flush.

Thanks again,

Zora

P.S. By the way sorry for any spelling mistakes. English is my second

language.

> > Can someone provide me, please, with a list of (or links to) non-

> fat

> > foods that might stimulate the gallbladder and cause an attack.

> > Zora

April 14, 2003

Hi ,

thanks for your ideas and for sharing your experience.

And yes, I've been planning to do a flush. That's why I drank so much

apple juice. However, I'm thinking of postponing the flush for a

week. My concern is that, at the moment my gallbladder and ducts are

inflamed and swollen, and will not let stones pass through easily.

Zora

> Zora, The foods that are good for softening stones are

> also foods that stimulate the flow of bile, so if you are

> producing more bile, it is moving more bile through the

> ducts of the liver and to the gallbladder. When I am

> preparing to do a flush, and drink apple juice during the

> week, after a few days I notice gallbladder symptoms,

> (I've not had the severe attacks many describe, but

> plenty of discomfort). I believe that the increased bile

> is causing some stones or sludge to move out of the

> GB and also causing some of the stones that may

> be in the liver ducts to move down to into the GB,

> ready to be flushed out. Have never read anything

> scientific on this, but it is common sense. So yes,

> they could cause you to suffer symptoms. Are you

> preparing to do a flush? If you are taking lots of apples,

> apple juice, etc., you may be ready to do one.

>

> Also another thought, eventually as the GB gets

> worse, it seems like almost any protein will trigger

> symptoms, even low fat protein. That was my

> experience. Have been a lot better since my last

> couple flushes...not 100% yet, but about 80% :-)

> Will be giving it another go in the summer.

>

> Take care,

>

> L. Meydrech, CN

April 14, 2003

Dear Zora,

Even chicken without the skin on contains cholesterol. I suspect this may have

triggered the attack. It may be that you are so tender at the moment that you

need to give your digestive system a bit of a rest. Raw, freshly made carrot

juice would give you lots of nutrition, without the hard work of having to

digest fibre and fats.

Hope this helps,

Rosemary.