Gallstones - Preventing gallstones
- Introduction
- Symptoms of gallstones
- Causes of gallstones
- Diagnosing gallstones
- Treating gallstones
- Complications of gallstones
- Preventing gallstones
- 'I have my gallstones to thank for my new calling in life'
- See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine
From the limited evidence available, changes to your diet and losing weight (if you are overweight) may help prevent gallstones.
Diet
Because of the role cholesterol appears to play in the formation of gallstones, it is advisable to avoid eating too many fatty foods with a high cholesterol content.
Foods high in cholesterol include:
- meat pies
- sausages and fatty cuts of meat
- butter and lard
- cakes and biscuits
A healthy, balanced diet is recommended. This includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day) and wholegrains.
There is also evidence that regularly eating nuts, such as peanuts or cashews, can help reduce your risk of developing gallstones.
Drinking small amounts of alcohol may also help reduce your risk of gallstones, but you should not exceed the NHS guidelines of three to four units a day for men and two to three units a day for women as this can lead to liver problems and other health conditions.
Read more about healthy eating.
Losing weight
Being overweight, particularly being obese, increases the amount of cholesterol in your bile, which in turn increases your risk of developing gallstones. You should therefore control your weight by eating a healthy diet and taking plenty of regular exercise.
However, avoid low-calorie, rapid-weight-loss diets. There is evidence they can disrupt your bile chemistry and increase your risk of developing gallstones. A more gradual weight loss plan is recommended.
Read more about losing weight and getting started with exercise.
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