The Real Cause of Gallbladder Attacks and How You Can Prevent Them

In 2008, my father had a gallbladder attack that landed him in the critical care unit of the hospital. This experience led me to research deeply into what causes gallbladder attacks and what can be done to prevent them.

Function of the Gallbladder:

The only function of your gallbladder is to store bile, which is produced in your liver and is necessary for the breakdown and absorption of fats and fat soluble vitamins in your small intestine.

Symptoms of Gallbladder Distress:

Abdominal gas, bloating and loss of appetite
Nausea or indigestion after meals
Discomfort is worse after eating, especially after eating fatty foods
Pain or discomfort in your abdomen, chest and back
Abnormal bowel movements, including diarrhea or constipation

Causes of Gallbladder Pain:

Diet. The bile that is stored in your gallbladder should be a thin, watery substance. If your bile becomes concentrated and turns into a thick sludge, gallstones and inflammation can result. If you did not change the oil in your car for several years, your engine would not run very well. A similar thing happens with your gallbladder when you consume a standard American diet. A recent study found that the incidence of gallbladder surgery went up by 600 per cent in Saudi Arabia as the people shifted from a clean, healthful traditional diet to a Western junk food diet consisting of sugary and fatty foods.

Allergy: In 1968, Dr. James C. Breneman, Chairman of the Food Allergy Committee of the American College of Allergists discovered what he called the real cause and cure of gallbladder pain. He selected 69 people who suffered from recurrent gallbladder attacks and put them on an elimination diet to determine their food allergies. Six of the participants had already had their gallbladders removed but continued to have symptoms. Dr Breneman found that all 69 people, or 100%, were totally free of gallbladder pain when they avoided their individual food sensitivities, and all 69 had a recurrence of their symptoms when they reintroduced the foods they were allergic to back into their diets. When you eat a food allergen, your body reacts by creating swelling. When food allergies cause swelling of the gallbladder ducts, the flow of bile is obstructed. The symptoms of allergy caused obstruction are the same as a stone being stuck in the duct. This title of this study was Allergy Elimination as the Most Effective Gallbladder Diet. It was published in1968 in the journal Annals of Allergy.

Cure for Gallbladder Attacks:

Identify and eliminate food allergens with an elimination diet or food allergy testing

Avoid fried foods and decrease your intake of saturated fats (red meats, cream, butter and cheese)

Limit your intake of sugar - a high intake of sugar has been associated with an increased risk for gallstones

Cook with olive or coconut oil

Increase your dietary fiber by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds

Take the following nutrients:

• Magnesium - deficiency is extremely common among people who suffer with gallbladder pain.


• Omega 3 EPA/DHA fish oil - it may block cholesterol formation in bile.


• Lecithin - it helps to emulsify bile and helps with the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.