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ALTERNATIVES TO GALLBLADDER SURGERY

DIGEST THIS

By June Carver Drennon, Certified Colon-Hydrotherapist.

Every year, more than half a million people undergo gallbladder removal surgery making this the most widespread operation in the United States. There are less invasive alternatives to surgery that may be used to help heal and restore the functions of the gallbladder and make surgery unnecessary.

Conventional wisdom is that our gallbladder serves no purpose and we can live perfectly well without it, but, in truth, the gallbladder is a very important organ in the digestive process. The gall bladder is located in a small depression (fossa) in the right lobe of the liver. It stores, concentrates and secretes the bile produced in the liver. The bile is necessary in the intestine for the digestion and absorption of fat, and for lubricating the intestinal wall. If insufficient bile salts or lecithin are present in bile, or if there is excessive cholesterol, the cholesterol precipitates out of solution and crystallizes to form gallstones (billary calculi).

When the gallbladder is removed, the bile loses its storage space and builds up in the liver. The result is reduced bile flow because the liver does not squirt bile into the intestine as effectively as the gallbladder does. The reduced bile concentration and flow usually causes indigestion, constipation or diarrhea. When the accumulated bile becomes congested in the liver, it weakens the liver functions. The combined effects of liver congestion and intestinal sluggishness may cause depression, sleep disorders, auto-immune diseases, arthritis, and allergies. Additionally, the reduced bile flow can weaken the spleen and pancreas so much that it may cause diabetes. The spleen, part of the lymphatic system, is connected to the gallbladder by nerves and when the gallbladder is removed, the spleen is out of balance and becomes weakened. The gallbladder and pancreas are integral components of the digestive system where the pancreas secretes pancreatic juice containing enzymes and sodium bicarbonate for carbohydrate digestion, and the hormones glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin for regulating glucose metabolism.

Approximately 80% of all gallstones show no symptoms and may remain “silent” for years. Once symptoms occur, they continue and increase in frequency. Diet plays a very important role in gallbladder problems. The most common triggers for gallbladder attacks are caffeine, chocolate, eggs, dairy products (especially ice cream) and greasy or deep fried foods. To avoid problems, start a healthy eating and exercise program . Avoid fatty and fried foods and increase your fiber intake by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals. If you are overweight, lose weight on a sensible diet. Be sure to drink six to eight glasses of water daily and eat a healthy breakfast. Also avoid caffeine.

Anyone who has had their gallbladder removed should take some form of bile salts with every meal for the rest of their life to prevent a large percentage of the good fats they eat from being eliminated. If there isn’t enough fat in the diet, the entire physiology will be disrupted, especially the ability to make hormones.

An alternative to surgery is a gallbladder flush. Cleansing the liver bile ducts from gallstones may be one of the most important procedures to significantly improve one’s health. By re-opening the bile ducts, the body’s energy circuits become restored and healing can take place on all levels of mind, body, and spirit.

The liver flush is a simple, safe and painless do-it-yourself procedure. There are many methods available through books or the Internet. Here is a very simple and inexpensive one to consider. Take two lemons and one orange and put into a blender with five cloves of garlic, a one inch stem of ginger, one teaspoon of Epsom salts, and five teaspoons of the best quality olive oil. Blend together and drink before retiring for five days. During this time it is recommended to cleanse the colon through colonics or enemas to assist in the elimination process.

Also is it best to eat salads, or lightly steamed vegetables during the cleansing process. One to two flushes a year are recommended for good maintenance. Remember, it’s always best to keep your gallbladder if at all possible!

June Carver Drennon, Certified Colon Hydro Therapist, Member I-ACT (International Association Colon Therapist) Co-President CHEO (Complementary Health Education

Visit her web site to find out more at www.stillpoint-inc.com