(SENIOR WIRE) It’s such an unsexy thing, the gallbladder. It’s about 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, and you will never think about it your whole life until your right upper quadrant starts hurting. Then and only then, you’ll start Googling “gallbladder.”
Your liver produces bile, which goes to your gallbladder where it’s concentrated to become stronger—like five times stronger.
It sits there in storage until you eat something fatty, and then it is secreted to break down the food.
Bile is a greenish-yellow liquid. It’s like soap, and it breaks down “grease” (fat) into smaller globules.
Bile and bilirubin give feces that distinct brownish color. In a way, bile is thought be a deodorizer, so if you have a very unpleasant stool odor, it’s a sign you are not making enough bile.
Here are some natural remedies that can support you. Ask your doctor what’s right for you.
- Gallbladder with Ox Bile and Liver by Ancestral Supplements
This is a grass-fed, bovine-derived formula that may help with bile production or reduced bile excretion. If your gallbladder has been removed, this can help. Likewise, if you’re worried about stones, this can also help. When your own organ is sluggish or deficient, the intake of animal-derived organs can play an important role. It’s not as odd as you might think. In fact, this is the premise behind bone broth, collagen, and gelatin. Some formulas are available at AncestralSupplements.com and Amazon.
- Gallbladder Formula
by Nature’s Sunshine.
This multi-tasking blend contains Oregon grape, ginger, cramp bark, fennel, peppermint, catnip, and more. This botanical formula could be helpful for indigestion, dyspepsia, pain, belching, and bloating. You can find the formula on Amazon. - Carrot Juice
Carrots are high in vitamin C, which can minimize calcium deposits that contribute to stone formation. Freshly extracted juices clean up the GI system, including your gallbladder. This prevents gallstones because it stimulates bile secretion. - Chanca piedra
Chanca piedra is an herbal supplement used in teas, capsules, liquid extracts, and tablets. It helps you secrete bile. Quick research will reveal it’s used for all kinds of urinary, gastrointestinal, and gallbladder problems and is nicknamed “stone breaker.” A few awesome Chanca piedra supplements are available online or at health food stores. - Ginger
You can eat crystallized ginger if it’s the only way you can get it down. If you like ginger, just cook with it, or make yourself a tea. Ginger converts cholesterol (part of gallstones) and turns it into bile acids, thus reducing the formation of gallstones. Fresh ginger is available at any grocery store. - Fennel
Fennel tea is nice because it may help with indigestion and eases gallbladder inflammation. You can try essential oils, or look in the produce department or health food store. MSN
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