REVIEW: The Gallstone Diet - Foods for your Gallbladder

The Gallstone Diet
Author: Anna Keating

Before I review any book that gives medical advice, I have to include a disclaimer: I am not a doctor. I am not a dietitian. I am not an expert of any kind. I am a former reporter, editor and journalist. That does not give me the expertise needed to say if the information in this book is factual or healthy. PLEASE consult a doctor before you take any supplements or attempt to treat any sort of medical condition with home remedies. There is no medical evidence that diet or herbal supplements can break up or "flush'' gallstones. Through research I have found that diet changes can have an effect on inflammation and the formation of new gallstones or worsening of an already present condition. Never go with hype to treat your body....you only get issued one. Consult a physician before taking medical, diet, or supplement advice from an author. :)

Ok....now that's done.

Anna Keating says at the beginning of her book that she had serious health issues that caused her to go into organ failure 20 years ago. She started to research and learn about her body, nutrition and health. Now she shares what she learned to help others prevent serious health complications through a balanced diet.

Gallstones can hurt. As the victim of a gallstone attack, I can attest to that. I was doubled over in an emergency room waiting area for 6 hours. The feeling was worse than labor pains because it never let up. Keating states in her book that once the stones are present, there is nothing short of surgery to do to remove them. The best bet is to eat a more balanced diet and learn to live with the condition.

Keating gives information about what the gallbladder is, where it is and what it does. And what happens when gallstones are present. She also gives facts about what gallstones are, why they form and the complications gallstones can cause. The book also outlines different treatment options and the fact that some people have gallstones but no symptoms. Others have gut wrenching pain.

Keating states that the key to living with, or preventing the formation of more gallstones, is to cut down on processed foods, sugar, fatty meats, fried food, whole fat dairy, refined foods, and cut down on eggs. And increase healthy oils, fiber, whole grains, raw fruits and veggies and lean protein.  Sound familiar? That's the basis of most healthy, balanced eating plans in every diet book everywhere. Seems pretty common sense for any healthy eating plan.

Keating's book does include a chapter on gallstone cleansing and flushing. She says pretty clearly that there is no medical evidence that herbal supplements or other home treatments that say they can break up and flush gallstones actually work. She does provide information on those treatments, stating that if they help with inflammation they might have some sort of a positive effect.  **Always consult a physician before taking herbal supplements or home rememdies. Some herbs -- like turmeric for example -- can effect absorption of other medications or cause body changes like thinning blood, etc.**

Keating includes a six-week sample meal plan for a gallstone diet. The meal plans, to my non-expert eye, seem balanced, low fat and healthy. Information is also included for those who have had their gallbladder removed -- post surgery care should be done with the aid of a physician, however. I keep slipping that in there, don't I. ha ha. It is important though....as I said before, we are each only issued one body. Take good care of it, and consult a doctor about health issues before self-treating.

All in all, this is a common sense approach to eating a more balanced, healthy diet to cut down on digestion issues. Gallstones won't magically go away, but there are things you can change about your diet that might lessen chances of having a painful gallbladder attack. The meal plans seem common sense, healthy and nutritious. I would have to show the plan to a dietician to get an expert opinion on that, but at first glance, I didn't see anything that gave me concern.

Anna Keating has published several books on health including The Low Thyroid Diet and The High Triglycerides Diet.  This book is well organized, to the point and common sense. It's a good read for anyone who has had, or is having, gallbladder issues.