The gall bladder is the organ that stores bile. This bile, which is secreted by the liver, helps in the digestion of food, especially fat. The gall bladder is situated at the back of the liver. It is shaped like a pear. This organ is an important part of the digestive system.
There are many gall bladder disorders that one can become susceptible to. The most common problems include gall bladder inflammation and stones. The other common gall bladder diseases include:
- Cholecystitis (Gall bladder inflammation)
- Gallstones
- Chronic acalculous
- Gangrene or abscesses
- Growth of tissue
- Gall bladder attacks
- Birth defects
- Sclerosing cholangitis
- Tumors.
The groups that are at a high risk of contracting gall bladder diseases include obese people, diabetics, pregnant women, people with sedentary lifestyles, and the elderly. Fortunately, there are many simple ways of treating many of the common gall bladder disorders that can be performed at home. Let us take a look at some of them:
Home remedies for gall bladder disorders:
- Fasting and dieting: Fasting is a great way to counteract any digestive system disorders because it helps to reduce the load on your digestive system. You can also opt to go in for a special diet that consists solely of fruits and fruit juices. The fruits and vegetables that should be used in the treatment of gall bladder diseases include pears, beet, carrots, and cucumbers. You can also drink their juices for added benefits.
- Oil it: Olive oil and sunflower oil can also help to deal with gall bladder disorders. They are especially effective in the treatment of gallstones. Drink 30 ml of any of these oils in the morning. Follow it up with a glass of lemon or grapefruit juice. Follow this regimen for about a week.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is another effective home remedy against gall bladder diseases. Add some turmeric powder to your daily meals to impart a dash of flavor and color and to keep gall bladder disorders at bay.
- Dandelion: The dandelion is not just a pretty flower that can also help treat gall bladder disorders. Drink some dandelion juice twice a day to remove gall stones and stimulate your gall bladder into functioning more efficiently.
- Avoid: Stay away from a spicy diet and keep your consumption of animal fat to a minimum. Also avoid consuming alcohol, citrus foods, ice cream, and soft drinks when you are suffering from gall bladder diseases or disorders.
Prostate Cancer Foods to Avoid:
The prostate gland is a small gland located under the bladder in males. The urine that is formed inside the kidneys is transferred to the bladder through the ureters. The urine is then eliminated from the body through another structure known as the urethra, which passes through the centre of the prostate gland. This part of the urethra that is situated within the prostate is referred to as the prostatic urethra. Enlargement of part of the prostate may interfere with the passage of urine. Prostate cancer is one of the major conditions that affect the prostate gland. Symptoms of this condition may include increase in the urge to urinate, sleeping problems, back pain, problems in urination and a sensation of fullness even in an empty bladder. Obesity, smoking and hereditary conditions are some of the factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer.
When opting for alternative or naturopathic therapy for cancer treatment, having a licensed naturopathic professional is advisable. It is also recommended that the allopathic and holistic health professionals work together in devising a treatment plan that will produce optimum results. Herbal remedies do not have any side effects when taken in the appropriate dosages. In rare cases, intake of an herb may result in a headache or stomach pain. This could be attributed to the ingredients used in the herbal preparation. Saw palmetto is known to be effective in the treatment of prostate cancer. This herb restricts the production of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which plays a role in the occurrence of many prostate problems. Milk thistle is also believed to be beneficial in treating prostate cancer as it provides protection to the liver against toxins and drugs.
The mineral selenium is present in the prostate gland and deficiencies of this mineral can lead to prostate problems. Selenium may be taken in supplement form through tablets along with foods that are rich in selenium such as garlic, grains, chicken and shellfish. Zinc too is necessary for the proper health of the prostate. Zinc rich foods such as clams, whole oats, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and lamb chops may be included in the diet. There is evidence that demonstrates that a diet high in fat can contribute to problems of the prostate and hence foods high in fat must be avoided. The pain and pressure arising in the prostate may be alleviated through hydrotherapy. All remedies must be tried only after consulting with a doctor first.
Gall Stone Diet
In order to understand the complications that could arise out of the development of gall stones, it is important to first identify what functions are carried out by the organ that it directly affects. The gall bladder is a rather small, pear shaped organ that helps in the storing and concentration of bile which is the digestive liquid that is continuously secreted by the liver. The bile helps in emulsifying fat and neutralizing acids in partly digested food. When a person consumes high fat or high cholesterol meals, the gallbladder will contract and inject bile into the small intestines via a small tube called the common bile duct. Gallstones are solid particles that form - from the bile in the gall bladder. Gallstones can be broadly classified into cholesterol stones and pigment stones of which cholesterol stones are the more common and are formed when there is an excessive amount of cholesterol in the bile. Whereas pigment stones are caused when there is too much bilirubin content in the bile. Gallstones can be of varying sizes and can be anything between the size of a small pea to being as big as a golf ball. Gallstones can also be caused by a lack of bile salts, or when the gall bladder does not empty as it normally should for any reason. Some scientist also believe that the mere presence of a few gallstones will cause the creation of a whole set of new ones. Women around the ages of 20 and 60 years are twice as likely to develop gallstones as compared to men. While people above the age of 60 years are at a higher risk of developing gallstones than their younger counterparts.
The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder will often cause no complications. However, if there are a large number of gallstones present or if they are reasonably large in size, they may cause pain when the gallbladder responds to a high fat meal. A good diet to help keep gallstones in check and eventually get rid of them is to increase your intake of beets, cucumbers, green beans, avocados and sweet potatoes. While the inclusion of onions and shallots in you meals are highly recommended, they can cause a little trouble for some people. Tomatoes and lemon are beneficial in dealing with this condition, as is the use of large amounts of vinegar and garlic in your food preparations. Try having a glass of hot water with the juice from 1 lemon daily to keep your liver clean and healthy.
Diet for Gall Bladder Disease
What is gall bladder? It is a small sac, shaped like a pear, situated below the liver. Bile is produced by the liver is stored in this gall bladder. Every time we eat something, the gallbladder is stimulated and it releases bile into the intestine. Bile is very important for the proper digestion of food. If bile is present in smaller quantities, or the liver cannot produce bile, then it can cause a host of health problems such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heart-burn, vomiting, and nausea. In the long run, it can lead to more serious health issues.
Gall Bladder Diseases: Sometimes, when the gall bladder is not functioning properly, then the production of bile is affected in an adverse way, and it can cause health problems as well as weight concerns. People who are trying hard to lose weight by going on crash diets, and those who are obese, are generally more vulnerable to gall bladder problems. Over-weight people have a high percentage of cholesterol in their bile and this can lead to gallstones. Gallstones can cause gall bladder difficulties and can increase the risk of getting gall bladder cancer. Those who opt for fat-free diets can also suffer from gall bladder problems as in such cases enough bile is not used by the body. This bile gets stored and the cholesterol in it might crystallize and turn into gallstones.
Gall Bladder Disease and Diet
Gall Bladder Diet: Patients suffering from gall bladder disease should follow a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, bread, cereals, and rice. Red meat should me limited or totally avoided. One should also avoid fried food products rich in saturated fats, hydrogenated fats, trans fats, and partially-hydrogenated fats.
What you Should Eat:
• A diet for gall bladder disease should include fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Eat green leafy salads and toss these with flax seed oil, olive oil, and vinegar.
• While cooking, use herbs like ginger, turmeric and spices as these have antiseptic properties and aid in digestion.
• You must eat low-fat dairy products such as low-fat milk and cottage cheese.
• Include whole-grain bread in your diet.
• Eat small quantities of lean meats, and remember to cook it with herbs and spices.
• It is advisable to eat five to six smaller meals than three large meals.
• The last meal of the day should be eaten several hours before going to bed.
• You might want to take fish oil capsules as these are rich in omega 3 oil, which prevents the build up of cholesterol in the bile.
• Drink lots of water to flush out the toxins and keep your body hydrated.
