Get Your Knife Off My Gallbladder!!

The gallbladder is one of the most notorious organs going under the knife in our society. We used to believe that our bodies really don’t need certain organs in order to function. But wait a minute, we’ve learned more and realized….we need EVERY single one of our organs in order to function optimally!! There were no mistakes in the creation of the human body. Even the adenoids, tonsils and appendix, which were routinely removed, have shown to be a critical part of our immune function!!

What is the function of the gallbladder? It’s primary function is to slowly release bile in order to break down and emulsify fats  so that other enzymes can work to absorb and assimilate the nutrients. A signal is sent to the gallbladder when we eat food that tells it to do it’s job. Fat soluble vitamins are crucial for health so let’s give a big thank you to the gallbladder for it’s aid in our health!

There are over 700,000 gallbladder removals annually in the U.S. costing 6.5 billion dollars.  This is not including cost of treating gallstones and inflammation. Why is there such a high incidence of gallbladder removal and disease?  In ancient energy medicine, it is believed that the gallbladder is the organ where we process emotions that have to do with anger and “resentment”. It is believed that chronic emotional blockages lead to the “blocking” of this organ.  A gallbladder attack is sometimes your body’s way of trying to work through the emotion and process the toxic burden.

Science has shown that about 90% of the gallstones are in the form of cholesterol stones. Cholesterol is part of the inflammatory process. If your organ is inflamed, you will utilize more cholesterol in that area as a way to protect your cells from excessive oxidation. Think of oxidation like the browning of an apple after you take a bite. This is exactly what’s happening at the cellular level. Without the protection of cholesterol (yes, cholesterol is actually protective), your cells would deteriorate and eventually die. That’s not good if you need those cells to make an organ.  Fat soluble vitamins also act as antioxidants. This is why the emulsification and assimilation of fats is so important, hence why you need your gallbladder.

What can you do to protect your gallbladder? First and foremost, seek emotional support for whatever trials and tribulations you are trying to overcome in terms of relationships, work, finance, etc. Secondly, reduce your toxic load and support your liver. Why do you need to support your liver?

Your liver makes 1 quart of bile EVERY day!! A ton of your waste product is in that bile. Toxins create more oxidation!! (remember the apple). This may be why we see more gallbladder issues in obese individuals and those who smoke cigarettes.

Gallbladder removal is the last ditch effort to save you from your toxic overload. Chronic gallstones as well as sludge can cause your gallbladder to stop working effectively. This can lead to nausea, abdominal pain (from the stones), spasms, inability to digest food well, etc. Once your gallbladder is removed, you most likely need to make dietary changes and go on some type of gut support. Think about it, once you remove an organ that is supposed to slowly release bile when you eat is now chronically dumping your bile and toxins into your gut regularly. You may find that you need gut and digestive support for the rest of your life.

What can you do to support your gallbladder and gut?

-Reduce your toxic load (through your food, skin, lungs)
-Eat foods that support liver and gut function that are rich in fiber and antioxidants
-Exercise regularly to support circulation of toxins from your blood
-De-stress and address any negative thoughts that may be manifesting in your body
-Utilize additional support such as bile salts, digestive enzymes and probiotics if you have removed the organ
-Remind yourself that you are ok and are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Tell yourself you are loved, learning, growing, and RESILIENT!
-Lastly, FORGIVE yourself and others for not being perfect and for things not going the way you wanted them to. Make a new dream!

Talk to a healthcare professional, like me, who can help you plan your foods and give advice for supportive supplementation or functional foods.