This article focuses on a tiny organ, the gallbladder, tucked beneath the liver that is notoriously known to get removed as it is often cited that it does not have any important function to perform. This article takes a closer look at the function of the gallbladder, how stones develop and what is the remedy to heal naturally.

What is a gallbladder?

Cholecyst, commonly known as the Gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac that is located on the underside of the right lobe of the liver. It plays a major role in digestion. and is part of the digestive system alongside the liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines.

Function of the gallbladder

Bile is alkaline and contains bilirubin, biliverdin, cholesterol, organic and inorganic substances and salts, lecithin, mucin etc. The gallbladder acts as a reservoir of bile produced by the liver to aid in digesting and emulsifying fats. The concentrated bile empties into the duodenum (the first portion of the small intestine) when a meal with fat has to be digested. Cholecystokinin, a hormone produced from the intestinal wall of the duodenum causes the gallbladder to contract, releasing the bile from its reservoir.

Causes of Gallbladder inflammation

Bile is a strong probiotic with healing properties which kills bad bacteria and preserves the good. The healthier the liver, the stronger is the potency of bile. However, since the liver is exposed to hundreds of preservatives, toxic chemicals from contaminated air, water, medicines, skincare and food, the bile weakens overtime. The timing of bile entering the gallbladder also is affected. This quality of bile weakens our gallbladders due to an accumulation of stones, sediment, or sludge and inflames the organ. Cholecystitis (ko-luh-sis-TIE-tis) is inflammation of the gallbladder

Pathogens also find their way to feed on the toxins weakening it further. Unproductive foods feed the pathogens ensuring they have a safe haven in the digestive system. They burrow holes in the organ which also causes the sludge to enter deep into the tissues scarring it. This creates spasms and pains. At this stage, the gallbladder is inflamed though doctors may not yet find enough evidence to act on it.

Gallstones

When the liver is fully functional, it sends bile into the gallbladder dispersing the red blood cell pigments so they don’t form clumps. It does the same with good and bad cholesterol, thinning it in the gallbladder to prevent cholesterol clumps like turpentine thins paints. When the liver is dealing with toxins and a high-fat, high protein diet, the liver must constantly detox. So it increases its bile production and heats up.

Constant heating of the liver can accelerate the death of red blood cells. Dead red blood cells that would normally be expelled begin to clump with the toxins in the liver. To balance the temperature, the body has a mechanism to cool the gallbladder appropriately. Hence the toxins from the liver harden in the gallbladder in the cold temperatures forming pigment stones.

A high-fat, high protein diet filled with animal products can add a lot of bad cholesterol which when combined with the toxins, hardens in the gallbladder forming cholesterol stones. Even though plant products have good fats, when the potency of bile is weak, it becomes detrimental for good digestion.

The pigment stones and cholesterol stones are known as gallbladder stones or simply gallstones. Hence, this is a consequence of a bad lifestyle a result of the body attempts to keep the gallbladder cold when liver heats up resulting in stone formation

Traditional mode of treatment

Sometimes, the stones may pass out of the GI tract unnoticed. But if they get too large, they may cause an obstruction in the flow of bile to the duodenum. Such issues typically call for the removal of the gallbladder also known to be “non-mandatory” for survival (called as Cholecystectomy)

The procedure is possibly done when the following symptoms are noticed

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Giddiness
• Dark urine
• Lighter-coloured stools
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Frequent bowel movements
• Pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen

Life without the gallbladder

Once the gallbladder is removed, the way food is digested changes. The role of the gallbladder in the entire assembly line of the digestive system goes unattended. The bile from the liver travels in varying concentrations and rate to the duodenum as the gall bladder is no more available to control the flow. Lifestyle has to be changed completely to manage the symptoms that come with this change. Hence, a low-fat plant-based lifestyle has to be strictly adhered to manage the digestive load. Without the gall bladder, the issues listed below may crop up more often

• Severe pains after consuming a meal
• Abdominal pains after getting up from a lying down position
• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Hot flashes
• Excess urination
• Feeling short of breath
• Pain in the abdominal area and back
• Body unable to handle fatty meals
• Risk of developing chronic problems with the bowel as its constantly exposed to bile salts from the liver.
• Liver fatigue leading to other complications

Natural ways to heal

Removing an organ does not heal the cause! Prevention is always better.

So, what do you do if your gallbladder is inflamed or is filled with a sludge forged into stones? The following steps will help you reverse the condition naturally

• Awareness – Be aware that the symptoms of pain after a high-fat meal are signals from the body to STOP consuming such foods. Do not take an antacid and suppress the problem
• Remove the mucus/acid-forming foods – Dairy, meat, high-fat heated oily foods, calorie-dense foods, too many nuts, processed and refined foods put a great load the body’s vitality

• Embrace nature – Consume 2 litres of bio-available liquids from fruits, vegetables and greens in addition to 2 litres of plain water every day. Eat fresh, whole, ripe, raw fruits and vegetables. Consume a low-fat gluten-free cooked meal only once a day.
• Rest – Benefits of rest is little understood by everyone. Rest enough to help the body heal faster.
• Sun – Exposure to the sun always brings healing energy into the body.
• Exercise – Physical activity helps the body use the energy from fats. Adopt a lifestyle that moves all your muscles daily.

Spiritual significance of the Gallbladder

Spiritually, the gallbladder refers to the storage of aggressiveness to be used later when needed. Anger, when suppressed, can lead to gallbladder issues. Long term stored aggressions can lead to blockage of energy leading to the formation of stones. Leave past problems behind and open up to life in all its beauty.

Conclusion

The solution to any inflammation is not the removal of a body part. Before any tissue death can occur, the body shows enough signs and symptoms to give us a chance to recover. Protect your gallbladder by getting back to nature! If you have had Cholecystectomy, then follow a holistic lifestyle with low-fat, zero oil, gluten-free, high raw, plant-based diet This will ensure that the liver is not over-burdened and excess bile is not flowing to the duodenum.