Re: Really? Is there no help out there?
If people have gallstones then it is best to dissolve them rather than try to pass them. Trying to pass them can cause stones to lodge in the bile ducts, which requires emergency surgery.
There are various things that increase the risk of gallstones including being overweight, estrogens, lack of fiber intake, bile deficiencies, hemolytic anemia, etc.
The vast majority of gallstones are cholesterol based. The remainder being bilirubin based, which are known as "pigment stones".
Cholesterol based stones are a result of more cholesterol in the bile than the bile can dissolve. So the excess cholesterol precipitates out leading to stone formation. Women are more prone to gallstone formation due to their hormones. Estrogen stimulates the release of cholesterol in to the gallbladder, while progesterone is a smooth muscle relaxant which increases stagnation of bile increasing stone formation.
Bile itself is a fat emulsifier, and it is the high lecithin content (about 80% lecithin) that gives bile its emulsification properties. Therefore increasing bile helps to prevent and dissolve gallstones.
One way to help increase bile formation is with digestive bitters. As bitter tasting herbs hit the bitter receptors of the tongue the vagus nerve is stimulated. This in turn kicks up stomach acidity, bile secretion, and pancreatic enzyme release. This is why these are often sold under the name digestive bitters. By product name they go under names such as Swedish Bitters and Grape Bitters. Bitters also stimulate the liver to flush, so it is very important to drink plenty of water throughout the day when using bitters. This flushing of the liver will also help with hormone regulation as the liver breaks down excess hormones including estrogen and progesterone, which both contribute to gallstone formation.
You only need to taste the bitters, so only a small amount is required. I recommend a half a dropper full on the tongue with meals.
Lecithin granules help by providing a building block for the bile. Make sure to use the granules, not the softgels or liquids, which are highly diluted with soy oil. The granules provide more lecithin because they are deoiled concentrating the lecithin.
Lecithin also helps because if keeps the cholesterol soluble rather than precipitating out. Recommended dose is 1 tablespoon of the granules 3 times daily with meals.
Increasing fiber intake helps by increasing bile formation. I prefer rice bran or oat bran, which are "soft fibers", and both are rich in B vitamins. The B vitamins will help the liver with detoxifying excess estrogen and progesterone than both contribute to gallstone formation. The fibers also feed the intestinal flora, which in turn break down the hormonal metabolites further reducing the hormone load on the body.
Finally, it is helpful to ingest SMALL amounts of good oils, like olive oil, with each meal to facilitate gallbladder contractions to prevent stagnation of the bile.