When the pain of a gallstone hits, it is one of the most debilitating conditions known to mankind. In severe cases, when gallstones create a blockage, surgery is often the only solution. For less severe cases, here are 15 remedies for how to get rid of gallstones that you’ll want to try. First, what are gallstones and what causes them?
Most gallstones are developed from undissolved cholesterol in your gallbladder, but there is another, less common, type caused from a buildup of bilirubin (a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown) in your gallbladder. Those most at risk for developing gallstones typically include women, people over the age of 40, people who are obese, people who lose weight to quickly, diabetics, people who are less active and those with a blood lipid profile of high triglycerides to low HDL cholesterol.
Our list of 15 remedies for how to get rid of gallstones in less-severe cases includes 5 lifestyle changes to help prevent them and 10 treatments to help get rid of them or ease the pain, but these are not all inclusive cures. In severe cases, it is still best to contact a health care professional.
One of the first remedies for how to get rid of gallstones includes changing or finding alternatives to certain medications if you’re at risk for gallstones.
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Studies show that those already at risk for gallstones who take oral contraceptives or are on oral hormonal replacement medications significantly increase their risk of developing gallstones.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is another lifestyle change that must be included in how to get rid of gallstones.
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Overweight or obese people tend to produce more cholesterol in their liver. A healthy body weight helps control cholesterol production and reduces the risk of developing gallstones.
Another key lifestyle change essential for how to get rid of gallstones is moderate exercise.
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Those who are more active typically reduce their risk of developing gallstones. In addition to reducing that risk, moderate exercise can also be an integral part of maintaining a healthy body weight.
Though maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding being overweight and obese increases your risk of gallstones, avoiding fad diets and rapid weight loss diets is also a necessary lifestyle change in how to get rid of gallstones.
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Those who lose more than three pounds per week on a rapid weight loss diet tend to be at a greater risk for electrolyte imbalances and other deficiencies which tend to support the development of gallstones.
The final lifestyle change in how to get rid of gallstones is maintaining a healthy anti-inflammatory diet.
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An anti-inflammatory diet helps keep estrogen and inflammatory response hormones in balance. Additionally, healthy fats flush out toxins and reduce the effects of triglycerides in your body.
Turmeric is a major contributor in how to get rid of gallstones.
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The compound, curcumin, found in turmeric is not only anti-inflammatory, a digestive aid and an anti-oxidant, but it also discourages gallstone development.
Another remedy for how to get rid of gallstones is found in taking vitamin C.
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Besides being a great way to keep colds and flu at bay, research shows that higher levels of vitamin C can cut gallstone risks in half.
Consuming lemon juice is another method included in how to get rid of gallstones.
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Lemon juice has properties very similar to stomach acid and bile, and is therefore beneficial in helping dissolve cholesterol.
Apple cider vinegar is one of those super remedies that are included in so many lists. It is also included in our remedies for how to get rid of gallstones.
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Acetic acid in apple cider vinegar inhibits cholesterol production in the liver and also helps to dissolve gallstones that have already formed.
Peppermint is a soothing remedy for how to get rid of gallstones.
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Peppermint stimulates the production of bile and other digestive juices which help in digestion and breaking down cholesterol. Additionally, the compound terpene, found in peppermint helps to dissolve gallstones.
There is also a mixture of essential oils that are beneficial in how to get rid of gallstones.
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Lemon and lime oils are excellent cleansers and rosemary is an anti-stringent and digestive aid. The medium chain fatty acids of olive and coconut as carrier oils add to the efficiency of the other two essential oils.
Eating your veggies when you’re focused on how to get rid of gallstones, but you can also drink them to speed up the process and make sure you get plenty of their essential nutrients.
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Carrots are a great source of vitamin C. Cucumbers are an excellent liver detoxifier. Beetroot is great in supporting liver and gallbladder function.
That pesky yellow flower on your lawn, dandelion, is one of the best remedies for how to get rid of gallstones.
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The taraxacin found in dandelions is one of the best compounds available for bile production and metabolizing fat in the liver.
A blast from the past, castor oil, is another effective remedy in how to get rid of gallstones.
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Castor oil reduces inflammation and pain associated with gallstones and helps minimize the size and number of gallstones.
Believe it or not, a little bit of wine is another addition to our list of how to get rid of gallstones.
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Consuming wine has not only been shown to get rid of gallstone pain within 20 minutes (in some cases), but it also reduces the risk of gallstone development by 40 percent.
Wrapping It Up
The debilitating pain of gallstones makes them a serious matter when it comes to finding relief. The best remedy for how to get rid of gallstones is to prevent them through lifestyle and dietary changes, but when they hit, make use of one or more of our remedies in order to get some much needed relief.
Images from depositphotos.com and pixabay.com.
