Someone came up to me at work and politely informed me that a lot of people she knew who had been on weight loss diets had to have gall bladder surgery. She also pointed out that she knows I diet a lot, so it should be a concern for me. I came home and did some digging. This is an interesting blog on the subject:
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmd_blog/?p=71
Full Version: Weight Loss and Gallstones
I've heard the same thing, CarolAnn, but I'm not so convinced. My dear wife Christine has never really needed to diet her entire life because she is naturally thin (LUCKY!), but had to have her gall bladder removed last year. I, on the other hand, had yo-yoed up and down most of my life before Atkins and have had NO problems with my gall bladder in the 3+ years since losing weight. I do respect what Dr. Mike says and it will depend on the person I suppose. GREAT TOPIC!
| QUOTE (CarolAnn @ Sep 22 2007, 04:23 AM) |
| Someone came up to me at work and politely informed me that a lot of people she knew who had been on weight loss diets had to have gall bladder surgery. |
I think the key words in this statement are "weight loss diets". She didn't specifically say "low carb diets". Mary Dan Eades said that it's common for those on low fat diets to develop gallstones. So, your friend may be right in that respect but she's wrong about your diet because yours isn't low fat or at least I assume that it's not.
I had my first gallbladder attack about 12 years ago when I was doing a very low fat diet and ended up in the emergency room. Since then I've had two more bad episodes, but have managed to hang on to my gallbladder despite my doctor's advice to have it out. I truly believe we need out gallbladders and haven't had any trouble with mine for the past three years. (Knock on wood!)
| QUOTE (LindaSue @ Sep 22 2007, 09:17 AM) | ||
I think the key words in this statement are "weight loss diets". She didn't specifically say "low carb diets". Mary Dan Eades said that it's common for those on low fat diets to develop gallstones. So, your friend may be right in that respect but she's wrong about your diet because yours isn't low fat or at least I assume that it's not. |
Yep, LindaSue, that is what I thought. I've run across several different sites that actually do say that gallstones can be caused by a low fat weight loss diet.
No, I'm definitely not on a low fat diet! I haven't counted fat grams since the late '80s to early '90s when the T-Factor diet was so popular. Needless to say, the only thing I lost on that diet was my hair and lots of it!
I had about 6 spots the size of quarters on the back of my head that were slick bald. I was moritified, but I learned my lesson!
Oh my gosh... This is very frightening. My dad is having problems with his gall bladder (and I think he said there were a few stones, too). I'm pretty sure he's trying to do a low-fat, low-calorie diet to lose weight. This can't be good.
It seemed like the article said that the gall bladder's function could be improved through a high-fat, low-carb diet, but what if that person already has gall stones? Is it still safe and effective? I think it said in one of the comments that it should be OK as long as they're small, but what if they're not? What then?
It seemed like the article said that the gall bladder's function could be improved through a high-fat, low-carb diet, but what if that person already has gall stones? Is it still safe and effective? I think it said in one of the comments that it should be OK as long as they're small, but what if they're not? What then?
This is my personal experience..
I was doing lowfat dieting (like the rest of the world) for many years..Then
I started with Atkins and lost 60 pounds. I was eating a healthy amount of fat. Well, I was having some indigestion, etc..And they did an ultrasound and found 8 stones. Luckily, there were nice and round (TMI), but when they get caught in the bile ducts, it hurts like crazy.
Having your gallbladder out is no biggie, really. If you have stones, they can cause many problems with your gallbladder that are extremely serious. My theory is if your gallbladder is bothering you, have it taken out.
Most peeps feel 100 percent better..
I was doing lowfat dieting (like the rest of the world) for many years..Then
I started with Atkins and lost 60 pounds. I was eating a healthy amount of fat. Well, I was having some indigestion, etc..And they did an ultrasound and found 8 stones. Luckily, there were nice and round (TMI), but when they get caught in the bile ducts, it hurts like crazy.
Having your gallbladder out is no biggie, really. If you have stones, they can cause many problems with your gallbladder that are extremely serious. My theory is if your gallbladder is bothering you, have it taken out.
Most peeps feel 100 percent better..
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