Gallbladder and gut health: What’s the link between the two?

If you want to keep your gut health in check, along with consuming a healthy diet, you also need to take proper care of your gallbladder. This is because there is a major link between the gallbladder and digestive health, and poor functioning of the gallbladder can certainly affect your digestion, thereby leading to several gut problems.

The major role of the gallbladder is to store and release bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver. The major function of bile is to support the absorption and digestion of fats and fat-soluble vitamins to ensure proper gut health.

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How does gallbladder affect the gut health?

The link between gut health and gallbladder is crucial.

When food gets into the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile into the digestive system, which further breaks down fats into smaller components and helps the enzymes to properly digest and absorb them.

This breakdown of fat also helps in the absorption of vitamins, which are equally important for different bodily functions.

Gallbladder's functioining affects the function of bile. (Photo via Pexels/Kat Smith)

But, when there is a disruption in the gallbladder’s functioning or cases where the gallbladder has been removed, it impacts the function of bile, which further leads to problems with digestion and gut health.

The disruption in the functioning of bile also results in slow absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, which causes stomach problems including indigestion, bloating, constipation, and more. In some cases, this also leads to gallstones, causing inflammation and severe infection, and even pancreatitis, cirrhosis, and cholangitis.

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What can you do to maintain a healthy gall bladder and gut health?

You can manage your gallbladder and gut health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet. Here are some tips you can follow:

Consume healthy fats

One of the best ways to keep your gall bladder and digestive system healthy is to consume healthy fats. Studies suggest that foods rich in healthy fats promote gallbladder health by improving the quality of bile while also boosting digestion. Examples of healthy-fat foods include nuts, fish, olive oil, etc.

Include whole grains in your diet

Another way to improve your digestive health and promote the functioning of your gallbladder is to add whole grains to your diet. Whole grain foods are rich in fiber that helps lower bad cholesterol, protect your heart, keep your bowel movements regular, and also prevent gallstones.

Add whole grain in your diet. (Photo via Pexels/Mike)

Never skip a meal

To keep your gallbladder health in check, make sure not to skip meals. This is because your gallbladder releases bile every time you eat and when you are irregular with your meals, there is a build-up of bile juices which further leads to problems like gallstones and high cholesterol levels.

Manage your weight

Being overweight negatively impacts the functioning of the gallbladder and also leads to several gut problems like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and more. Studies suggest that people who are overweight are more likely to get gallstone disease. This is specifically true for people who have extra fat around their waist.

Manage your weight to keep digestive health in check. (Photo via Pexels/Andres Ayrton)

If you are someone whose gallbladder has been removed, make sure you eat small meals throughout the day, add probiotic supplements in your diet to support gut health, consume foods that help with bile production like turmeric and beetroots, and most importantly, keep your body weight in check.

By adopting these healthy lifestyle changes, you can promote your gallbladder and digestive health and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle as a whole.