Gall Bladder

Accessory Organs

Gall Bladder

I Cholelithiasis
A. gallstones: solid masses that form in the gallbladder from bile
1. bile: fat emulsifier produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder
2. gallstones are:
a. Cholesterol stones, and are endogenous (body made) and not caused by eating too much CHO.
b. pigment stones
B. Risk factors:
1. body weight (obesity)
2. gender (female)
3. age (~ 40)
4. ethnicity (fair, fat, forty, female)
5. type II diabetes
6. short bowel syndrome
7. gastric bypass
8. certain medications
9. certain diets: fat free diets won’t stimulate the gall bladder so the bile just sits there and stones precipitate.
C. Medical Nutrition Therapy
1. low fat: weight reduction if appropriate
2. high fiber: soluble fibers bind bile acids
3. avoid gas formers: prevents distention
4. water based fat soluble vitamins