STOP Doing Gallbladder Flushes with Olive Oil

Summary

This script narrates a personal experience with a gallbladder flush using olive oil, lemon juice, and beet tablets, which mistakenly led to the consumption of bile salts instead of gallstones. It explains the importance of bile in preventing gallstone formation and the role of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas in digestion. The speaker debunks myths about high-fat diets causing gallstones and highlights factors that decrease bile production, such as estrogen, low-fat diets, stress, insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering medications, thus increasing the risk of gallstones.

Takeaways

• 🍋 Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are beneficial for breaking down stones and promoting bile production.
• 💊 The person in the transcript mistakenly thought that consuming olive oil, lemon juice, and beet pills would flush out gallstones, but this was a misconception.
• 🚫 Gallstones do not float; they are solid and typically sink, contrary to what was observed in the transcript.
• 🌿 The green balls seen in the toilet were actually bile salts, not gallstones, indicating that the 'cleanse' flushed out bile instead.
• ⚠️ Losing bile increases the risk of gallstone formation because bile is needed to emulsify cholesterol and prevent stone crystallization.
• 🚰 The liver produces bile, which is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder before being released into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion.
• 🔁 A gallbladder flush or cleanse can actually increase the risk of gallstones by depleting bile salts.
• 🍗 High-fat diets do not necessarily cause gallstones; it's the balance between cholesterol and bile that matters.
• 🤰 Estrogen can inhibit bile production and release, putting women at higher risk for gallstones, especially during pregnancy or when using birth control pills.
• 🥗 A low-fat diet can also increase the risk of gallstones because fatty acids are needed to stimulate bile production.
• 💊 Medications like prednisone and conditions that cause high cortisol or insulin levels can affect bile production and increase gallstone risk.
• 🍽️ Fatty acids, protein, and hydrochloric acid from the stomach trigger the release of bile, whereas carbohydrates do not.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the gallbladder and how does it function?

The gallbladder is a sac that stores bile produced by the liver. It concentrates the bile which is then released into the small intestine to help break down fats with the aid of pancreatic enzymes like lipase.

What is the role of bile in the body and why is it important?

Bile is crucial for emulsifying cholesterol to prevent it from crystallizing and forming stones. It also aids in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.

Why did the person in the script almost choke on beet pills?

The beet pills solidified in the person's throat, causing a blockage that made it difficult to breathe, which is a dangerous situation known as choking.

What misconception did the person in the script initially have about gallstones?

The person believed that drinking a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and taking beet tablets would flush out gallstones. However, they later realized that what they saw were not stones but bile salts.

What is the actual composition of gallstones and why do they form?

Gallstones are typically composed of a super concentrated amount of cholesterol with a low amount of bile salts. They form when bile salts are insufficient to emulsify the cholesterol, leading to crystallization.

How does a gallbladder flush or cleanse potentially increase the risk of forming gallstones?

A cleanse that depletes bile can increase the risk of gallstone formation because bile is necessary to emulsify cholesterol and prevent stone formation.

What are some factors that can decrease bile production and increase the risk of gallstones?

Factors include high estrogen levels, low-fat diets, stress-induced cortisol, insulin resistance, fatty liver, chronic diarrhea, and the use of cholesterol-lowering medications like statins.

Why does a high-fat diet not necessarily cause gallstones?

A high-fat diet can actually trigger the release of bile, which helps in digestion and prevents stone formation. The key is having enough bile to emulsify the cholesterol.

What is the role of carbohydrates in the context of bile release and gallstone formation?

Carbohydrates do not trigger the release of bile or the contraction of the gallbladder. It is the intake of fats, proteins, and hydrochloric acid from the stomach that stimulate bile release.

What are bile salts and why are they important in preventing gallstones?

Bile salts are components of bile that help emulsify fats and cholesterol, preventing their crystallization into stones. They are considered a top remedy for gallstones.

What advice does the script give regarding the consumption of olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar?

While olive oil is healthy, it should not be consumed in large quantities like 12 ounces at once. Lemon juice and apple cider vinegar are beneficial for promoting bile production and breaking down stones.