Your Gallbladder and Gallstones
Even though gallstones are considered an avoidable cause of death, every year about 460,000 U.S. residents have a cholecystectomy. (1,2) Few people realize that gallbladder disease can progress to serious disorders such as acute gallstone pancreatitis and gallbladder cancer. A variety of factors can contribute to gallbladder disease, and individuals may be symptom-free for years prior to gallstone symptoms. Early screening for gallstones and gallbladder disorders is important; but minimizing triggers to gallbladder inflammation and gallstone formation may be the best option of all. (3)
Early human studies indicate that the presence of specific food antigens (as food allergy or food sensitivity) associated with the incidence of gallbladder disease. (4,5) Current research supports this finding, and indicates that IgE or IgG stimulation of mast cells located in the epithelial lining of the gallbladder and bile ducts may contribute to late phase (chronic) responses, often observed in allergic disorders, that lead to local tissue inflammation. (6) Chronic inflammation may eventually result in tissue fibrosis that may prevent normal gallbladder contraction and disrupt other gallbladder functions. (7)
Chronic inflammation of the gallbladder may be worsened by the presence of infection or gut/gallbladder microbiome dysbiosis, conditions that may be worsened by food allergy or food intolerance disruption of intestinal permeability. (1,7)
Citations:
1. Reshetnyak VI. Concept of the pathogenesis and treatment of cholelithiasis. World J Hepatol. 2012;4(2):18–34.
2. Dallas ME. (2019) The 10 Most Common Surgeries in the U.S. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/tests-and-procedures/the-10-most-common-surgeries-in-the-us Accessed 06 January 2020.
3. Wright JV. The 99.9-percent effective technique for eliminating gallbladder attacks forever. Nutrition & Healing 2004; 11(9):1-4.
4. Breneman, James C. Basics of Food Allergy. Springfield (IL): CC Thomas, 1978.
5. Breneman JC. Allergy Elimination as the Most Effective Gallbladder Diet. Annals of Allergy 1968; 26; 83-89.
6. Jarido V, Kennedy L, Hargrove L, et al. The emerging role of mast cells in liver disease. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2017;313(2):G89–G101.
7. da Silva EZ, Jamur MC, Oliver C. Mast cell function: a new vision of an old cell. J Histochem Cytochem. 2014;62(10):698–738.
8. Maurer KJ, Carey MC, Fox JG. Roles of infection, inflammation, and the immune system in cholesterol gallstone formation. Gastroenterology. 2009;136(2):425–440.
