A-Z dietary management Articles

Gallbladder discomfort can be frustrating and disruptive, often affecting digestion and overall well-being. Finding gentle, effective ways to support your body and ease symptoms is key to feeling more comfortable day to day. Alongside dietary and lifestyle changes, many people are turning to gallstone supplements to help support bile flow, improve digestion, and promote gallbladder health. 

In this article, we'll explore natural strategies to support gallstone relief and help you feel your best. 

Understanding The Gallbladder's Role

The gallbladder is a reservoir for the digestive juice, called bile, which the liver produces. It holds the bile until it is needed for the digestion of fats. At this time, the gallbladder contracts and pushes bile out into the intestine. Gallbladder attacks occur when stone-like precipitates, which build up in the gallbladder over time, are forced through the outlet ducts into the intestine.

Most of these precipitates are made of cholesterol and form as a result of a lack of fibre, excess cholesterol, decreased liver function, lack of bile and lack of bile movement.

What Are Symptoms of Gallstones?

Symptoms of gallbladder colic include recurrent, intense, cramping pain under the right ribcage or over the right shoulder. Nausea, vomiting, fever and chills may accompany the pain. If the stone remains lodged, and bile flow is blocked, jaundice (itchy yellow skin), infection, and pancreatitis can result. Gallbladder attacks are often precipitated by the consumption of rich, fatty or creamy foods. The bile is also a conduit for processed toxins from the liver. Gallbladder problems can also manifest with symptoms of liver toxicity like headaches, a bitter taste in the mouth, irritability and bloating or pressure under the right ribcage.

What Are Treatment & Gallstone Supporting Supplements Options?

The conventional treatment for gallstones is removal of the stones and something removal of the entire gall bladder. In some cases, high cholesterol medication will be prescribed. Both methods are not without side effects; the most troubling side effect with high cholesterol medication is depression and an increased risk of suicide. In addition to this, high cholesterol medications can drain vital nutrients for the heart, like coenzyme Q10. Similar side effects can be seen with the full removal of the gall bladder. In both cases, fat-soluble (A,D,E,K) vitamin absorption is decreased along with essential fatty acids.

Detoxification helps your gallbladder by flushing out the liver. Most medications are processed in the liver. If you are on prescription medication, consult your health professional before cleansing the liver.

Prevention Tips

To prevent gallstones, maintain a healthy weight and avoid yo-yo dieting. Dietary changes for gallbladder disorders include increasing fibre intake and lowering the fat and cholesterol content of your foods. Drink lots of clear fluids and eat raw fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

Include green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, vegetable protein like soybeans and unrefined oils like olive, flax and sunflower in your daily diet.

Eat bitter foods like artichoke, rhubarb and salad greens in order to stimulate bile flow. Drink apple, beet and pear juice to soften gallstones.

Avoid all junk foods, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods, white flour products, white sugar products, red meat, egg yolks, ice cream, salt, coffee, colas and other caffeine sources. Eliminate alcohol, tobacco and highly spiced foods. Dairy products should be avoided because they contain casein, which promotes stone formation. Food allergies can cause a gallbladder attack by inflaming the ducts and decreasing their size. The most common gallbladder-affecting allergens are eggs, pork, onion, chicken, turkey, duck, milk, coffee and citrus fruits.

Homocysteine has become an important marker of cardiovascular health risk. At high levels, it has been shown to damage the vessels of the heart and promote blood clot formation, which can result in heart disease and stroke.

Many of us are unaware of our homocysteine levels, as there are no symptoms when they are too high, and testing is not routinely performed.

Many natural healthcare practitioners use this aminco acid as an important component of cardiovascular screening tests. If these amino acid levels are found to be outside the optimal range, there are several important nutrients that can lower levels and help prevent cardiovascular disease.

What is Homocysteine?

It is an amino acid that comes from the digestion of proteins. It is formed from methionine, an essential amino acid found abundantly in animal protein such as meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs. Once it is formed from methionine, it is metabolized in two ways: it is either recycled back into methionine or it is converted into another amino acid, cysteine. Both of these actions require folate (or folic acid), pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12) in order to work effectively. Inadequate levels of these nutrients prevent homocysteine breakdown and can lead to persistently high levels.

Why Are High Levels of Homocysteine Are Unhealthy?

When present in high levels, it has been linked to heart disease and stroke. High circulating homocysteine appears to cause injury to the delicate cells of the coronary arteries. Continued cellular injury leads to vascular inflammation, which ultimately causes scarring and hardening of the arteries known as atherosclerosis. This process results in thicker and less elastic artery walls and a narrowing of arterial openings, thus reducing blood flow.

Secondly, it has effects on the action of blood platelets, promoting blood clot formation. Large clots can travel through the body to the cardiac arteries of the heart, causing a heart attack, or to the vessels of the brain, causing a stroke. Further, recent evidence has also shown that even slightly elevated levels of this amino acid above normal ranges can double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Causes of High Homocysteine

Because protein-rich diets are high in methionine, they consequently produce high levels of this amino acid. For this reason, diets rich in animal protein but low in fruits and leafy vegetables tend to promote high levels of this amino acid. In addition, insufficient consumption of green vegetables results in inadequate intake of B vitamins and folic acid, which are essential for the breakdown of this amino acid. High stress levels can also contribute to high circulating homocysteine.

The body's levels of neurotransmitters epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine increase when exposed to stress. The body uses the methionine-homocysteine pathway to break these neurotransmitters down and return to a non-stressed state. Researchers have also noticed a correlation between coffee consumption and high homocysteine levels. It seems that as coffee intake goes up, so too does homocysteine.

How Do I Know If I Have High Homocysteine?

There are no physical symptoms of high homocysteine; levels can only be checked via blood tests. These tests are usually not routinely performed by physicians and are often overlooked in favour of other cardiovascular risk markers such as cholesterol levels or blood pressure measurements. Normal levels of homocysteine should range between 5-15 mmol/L, although it is suggested that levels less than 7-8 mmol/L are preferable.

Homocysteine Support Options

Conventional Treatment 

Since there are no medications that directly reduce levels of this amino acid, conventional treatment usually consists of attempts to increase dietary intake of B vitamins and folic acid in order to indirectly promote breakdown of this amino acid.

Naturopathic Treatment

Naturopathic treatment emphasized foods rich in vitamins B6, B12, and folate. Beans, legumes, broccoli, asparagus, and spinach provide excellent folate sources. Meats, fortified cereals, bananas, sweet potatoes, and spinach supply vitamins B6 and B12. Avoid foods high in methionine, including red meat and dairy. Limit animal protein to 3-4ounces daily.

Breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga can help reduce homocysteine production. Regular exercise lowers stress and may reduce levels of this amino acid by up to 12%.

Vitamins B6 and B12 help break down excess levels of this amino acid. Aging can increase homocysteine levels and reduce B12 absorption. Older adults may benefit from appropriate supplementation.

1. Vitamin B 12

Vitamin B12 is absorbed differently depending on delivery method. Sublingual B12 increases bioavailability by absorbing under the tongue. Injections into the muscle provide even higher absorption. Naturopathic doctors commonly administer B12 injections in clinical settings.

2. 5-Methyltetrahydrafolate (5-MTHF)

5-HTMF supports homocysteine breakdown effectively. Folic acid alone doesn't significantly raise blood folate levels. Active folate, 5-MTHF, works more efficiently at lower doses. This form improves homocysteine regulation.

3. Trimethylglycine (TMG)

TMG or glycine betaine, occurs in quinoa, spinach, lamb, and beets. It helps recycle homocysteine back into methionine. Supplementation often provides therapeutic levels.

4. SAMe

SAMe forms from methionine. It supports conversion of homocysteine into cysteine. It also enhances folate activity, improving homocysteine reduction.

5. N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)

NAC lowers homocysteine levels. It converts homocysteine into cysteine by freeing it from protein carriers in blood.

6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids support cardiovascular health. Research shows omega-3 supplements can reduce homocysteine levels, though mechanisms remain unclear.

7. Taurine

Taurine is another nutrient well studied in cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that this amino acid might actually block the absorption of methionine, which ultimately prevents its breakdown into homocysteine.

This often mysterious illness can at times become debilitating due to the vertigo and nausea that it produces in those afflicted with it. While conventional treatments focus primarily on symptomatic relief, many nutritional supplements and herbs can help to get to the root of the problem. Discover supplements that provide Meniere's Disease support so you can feel your best.

What is Meniere's Disease?

Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition that is characterized by episodes of hearing loss, dizziness and ringing in the ears. Nausea, vomiting and a feeling of pressure within the ear may also occur. The exact cause is unknown. Researchers postulate that Meniere’s disease may be due to increased fluid volume in the inner ear or dental and jaw problems. Attacks can be triggered by stress, decreased circulation to the ear, toxin accumulation or food sensitivities.

Meniere's Disease Support Options

Conventional Support

Conventional treatment of Meniere’s involves a variety of medications. Promethazine is used to treat nausea and vertigo. Diuretics may be used to decrease fluid accumulation. Valium is often used to lessen anxiety and sedate the balance system. Prescriptions for antihistamines, steroids or calcium channel blockers may also be used. Surgical procedures are reserved for severe cases. Some techniques destroy the balance centre while others physically drain the ear’s fluid.

Meniere's Supplement Support

Nutritional support for Meniere’s can include several nutritional supplements:

Manganese - Clinical studies have shown that a deficiency of this vital trace mineral contributes to the onset of Meniere’s disease. Since it is often difficult to get from the diet, supplementation is usually the only practical route for ingesting a significant enough dosage for a therapeutic effect.

Ginkgo - This herb helps to improve circulation through small blood vessels. Poor circulation to the ear and head contributes to the often debilitating symptoms of Meniere’s.

CoQ10 helps to improve circulation and oxygen utilization.

B complex - These vitamins are crucial for your body to cope with stress effectively. Stress can play a role in the onset of a Meniere’s attack.

Ginger - This herb’s nausea-fighting effects are widely known. Use it at the onset of an attack to settle the stomach.

St. John’s wort - The frustration of dealing with a potentially debilitating illness like Meniere’s can often lead to subsequent depression. St. John’s wort has been clinically proven to reduce anxiety and elevate mood.

Lecithin or PhosphatidylSerine both help to optimize neurotransmitter production and brain & nerve health.

Lifestyle Support Options

Stress reduction is an important part of preventing Meniere’s attacks. To decrease symptoms during an attack, lie with the unaffected ear against the floor and look in the direction of the affected ear. To decrease vertigo, restrict your head movement and look at a stationary object a comfortable distance away from you. Increase circulation to the affected ear by massaging the head and ears.

Following a hypoglycemic diet helps some individuals because it keeps insulin levels in check. High insulin levels impair circulation. Dietary changes should also support the cardiovascular system so that vessels remain healthy. Avoid the following things; saturated fats, fried foods, salt, monosodium glutamate, alcohol, sugar and caffeine. Avoid any foods that you are sensitive to. Eat foods that are high in B vitamins because they help with stress. For example, eat whole grains, green vegetables, white beans and nutritional yeast. Vitamin C and bioflavinoids are antioxidants which protect the vessels. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, kiwis, currants, and dark coloured berries.