had to call for a doctor in the earlier hours of the morning. I had never experienced pain like it. Although the pain went after about 4 hours the doctor suspects it was my gall bladder for which I have to go for further tests to confirm. Gallstones are very common and 80% of people with them are walking around completely oblivious to the fact they may have them.The trouble begins in the gallbladder, a small, pear shaped organ located on the underside of the liver that releases bile — important for digesting fats — into the small intestine. In most cases, a gallstone forms when bile becomes over saturated with cholesterol from the diet or from the body's natural production; the bile salts are no longer able to keep the cholesterol dissolved in liquid form, so it begins to clump together, eventually forming stones that can b
e as small as peas or as large as golf balls.
e as small as peas or as large as golf balls.Gallstones may be caused by a combination of factors, including inherited body chemistry, body weight, gallbladder motility (movement), and diet. There is no fast and firm way to guarantee the prevention of gallstones forming but most doctors recommend adding fibre to your diet and cutting down your cholesterol intake by reducing your fat intake.
Fruits and vegetables are known to contain generous amounts of water soluble fibre which is used for improving the digestion. If you like meat then you should go for chicken, fish and turkey, as these do not contain that much cholesterol. In addition, water consumption - aro
und 10-12 glasses daily - is also helpful, as the elimination of the gallstones is promoted this way.
Kale, chard, spinach, and other leafy greens help protect against gallstones, as do vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruit, strawberries, papaya, and peppers, as well as cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower. These important plant foods offer fibre, which lowers cholesterol, and nutrients that are key in producing enzymes to digest fat. Nuts, according to one survey , reduce gallstone risk in men and in another study, women who ate at least 1 ounce of nuts weekly had a lower risk of developing gallstones that required surgery. Other plant-based, unsaturated fats, like olive and canola oil, offer the same benefits.
Eating pasta, bread, and other high-glycemic-index carbohydrates increases gallstone risk by boosting the body's insulin production and increasing the cholesterol co
ntent of bile. According to a 2007 study published in Surgery, a diet composed of 75% carbs from refined grains and sugars appears to increase risk of gallstone formation, compared with a diet containing 45% carbs. Some doctors suggest avoiding eggs, either because of their high cholesterol content or because eggs may be allergenic.
und 10-12 glasses daily - is also helpful, as the elimination of the gallstones is promoted this way.Kale, chard, spinach, and other leafy greens help protect against gallstones, as do vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruit, strawberries, papaya, and peppers, as well as cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower. These important plant foods offer fibre, which lowers cholesterol, and nutrients that are key in producing enzymes to digest fat. Nuts, according to one survey , reduce gallstone risk in men and in another study, women who ate at least 1 ounce of nuts weekly had a lower risk of developing gallstones that required surgery. Other plant-based, unsaturated fats, like olive and canola oil, offer the same benefits.
Eating pasta, bread, and other high-glycemic-index carbohydrates increases gallstone risk by boosting the body's insulin production and increasing the cholesterol co
ntent of bile. According to a 2007 study published in Surgery, a diet composed of 75% carbs from refined grains and sugars appears to increase risk of gallstone formation, compared with a diet containing 45% carbs. Some doctors suggest avoiding eggs, either because of their high cholesterol content or because eggs may be allergenic. Scientists at the University of East Anglia have recently found that a pint of beer or a glass of wine a day can protect against gallstones. It had long been known that moderate drinking can reduce the chances of gallstone formation, but this is the first study to show how much was required. Dr Andrew Hart's results showed that those who consumed 2 units of alcohol per day had a 1/3rd reduction in their risk of developing gallstones. For every unit of alcohol consumed per week the chances of developing a gallstone decreased by 3%.
So diet plays an important part in the prevention of these stones and I thought I would suggest a recipe that would be suitable for the sufferers of gallstones for you to try: it may not seem the most appetising of dishes but as they say “prevention is better than cure”:
Salad of Chicken and Beetroot350 g skinless roast chicken, cubed
1 can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
100 g mixed salad leaves, such as rocket, mizuna, baby spinach and lamb's lettuce
1 red onion, thinly sliced
400 g cooked beetroot, peeled and cubed
4 lime wedges
Toss the salad leaves with the onion and lime juice, then spread on a large shallow serving platter. Pile the chicken and bean mixture on top, then scatter with the beetroot and garnish with lime wedges.
As for a wine I would recommend Chateau Laures (£6.60). This comes from a 70 hectare estate which has been owned by the same family for many generations and is situated right in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. The estate has a reputation for "Tradition and Quality" and t
his superb offering is no exception. Laures is an exceptional wine - golden in colour with loads of fruity aromas and intense fruit and honey in the mouth. Because of its structure this wine will lend itself to a wide range of foods from Salads and Fish through to any White Meat. It's very enjoyable on its own but will enhance the appreciation of many meals through its elegance and quality.
So if you are like me and suffer with a similar complaint look to your diet to help you with your condition by reducing your intake of red meat and increase your fruit and fibre intake. I for one do not want to experience that level of intense pain again and I am making a concerted effort through my diet to help control my condition whilst at the same time still enjoying my wine!
1 can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
100 g mixed salad leaves, such as rocket, mizuna, baby spinach and lamb's lettuce
1 red onion, thinly sliced
400 g cooked beetroot, peeled and cubed
4 lime wedges
Toss the salad leaves with the onion and lime juice, then spread on a large shallow serving platter. Pile the chicken and bean mixture on top, then scatter with the beetroot and garnish with lime wedges.
As for a wine I would recommend Chateau Laures (£6.60). This comes from a 70 hectare estate which has been owned by the same family for many generations and is situated right in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers region. The estate has a reputation for "Tradition and Quality" and t
his superb offering is no exception. Laures is an exceptional wine - golden in colour with loads of fruity aromas and intense fruit and honey in the mouth. Because of its structure this wine will lend itself to a wide range of foods from Salads and Fish through to any White Meat. It's very enjoyable on its own but will enhance the appreciation of many meals through its elegance and quality.So if you are like me and suffer with a similar complaint look to your diet to help you with your condition by reducing your intake of red meat and increase your fruit and fibre intake. I for one do not want to experience that level of intense pain again and I am making a concerted effort through my diet to help control my condition whilst at the same time still enjoying my wine!
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