Natural Remedies, Nutrition, and Supplements for Gallbladder Health

The gallbladder is a small but mighty organ that your body needs for digestion.

As with any organ in the human body, the gallbladder can become dysfunctional for various reasons. Fortunately, several treatment options are available if gallbladder problems arise. In addition to standard care, you can also try complementary therapy to support overall gallbladder health with vitamins, herbs, and other dietary supplements.

This article will discuss supplements for gallbladder health and the science behind them. It will also provide an overview of gallbladder disease, what to eat for gallbladder health, and other treatment options.

What Is Gallbladder Disease?

The gallbladder sits just under the liver. Its main function is to store bile, a liquid-like substance made by the liver that is needed to digest fat. When you eat, your gallbladder secretes bile into the small intestine (the main site of digestion) via the common bile duct.

There are many types of gallbladder disease. However, the most common gallbladder issue is gallstones, which may occur when substances in the bile harden and block the bile ducts.

Types of gallbladder disease include:

• Gallstones
• Infection (cholecystitis)
• Gangrene
• Growths and tumors
• Congenital defects
• Sclerosing cholangitis

Symptoms of gallbladder disease vary and may depend on the diagnosis.

The most common symptom of gallbladder disease is pain. Typically, this pain is intermittent and occurs in the upper right abdomen.

Other gallbladder disease symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Gas
• Chronic diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort after eating
• Jaundice
• Changes in the appearance of urine and/or stool
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fever and chills

If you have persistent gallstones or severe gallbladder disease, the most likely treatment may be surgery. Gallbladder removal is typically performed as an outpatient procedure and may be performed laparoscopically. You can live a normal life without a gallbladder.

In mild cases of gallbladder disease, a healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medications. Other medications may also treat various symptoms.

More natural treatment approaches are another possible option. For example, diet changes and certain supplements for gallbladder disease may prove helpful.

What to Eat

Your diet plays a critical role in your gallbladder's health.

Remember that your gallbladder releases bile you need to digest fats. This makes your gallbladder a key player in digestion. Due to this role, what you eat affects your gallbladder and how it functions.

Evidence shows that a well-balanced diet may lower the risk of gallstones and other types of gallbladder disease.

Certain foods, like meats, fried foods, and refined carbohydrates, have been linked to gallstone formation, especially when eaten in excess. High intake of saturated fats may also make gallstones more likely.

For gallstone prevention and overall gallbladder health:

• Eat more foods that contain fiber, like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains
• Eat more healthy fats, like fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil
• Limit refined carbohydrates
• Limit added sugar
• Limit trans fats from prepared desserts and fried foods

If necessary, a registered dietitian and nutritionist (RD or RDN) can help you learn how to alter your diet and lifestyle for gallbladder health.

Vitamins and Supplements

Certain dietary supplements, including vitamins, minerals, and herbs, may prove beneficial for gallbladder disease.

However, no supplement will completely heal your gallbladder on its own. Supplements should only complement other treatment options for any health condition, including gallbladder disease.

Despite anecdotal evidence and various claims, research results are mixed regarding the effectiveness of supplements for gallbladder disease.

Below is a look at the scientific evidence surrounding vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements for gallbladder disease.

Magnesium

Magnesium is often touted as a remedy for gallstones. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim.

Some studies from the early 2000s supported taking magnesium supplements for gallstones and other gallbladder issues. A 2008 study suggested that men who consumed more magnesium were less likely to have gallstones.

However, since then, researchers have conducted few studies on magnesium for gallbladder health.

A more recent study from 2021 found a potential role for magnesium in the prevention of gallbladder cancer. In the lab study, degradable magnesium prohibited the growth of gallbladder cancer and even killed cancer cells.

However, at this time, these results have not been duplicated in humans. More research on magnesium for gallbladder disease is necessary.

Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an herb that has been used in folk medicine for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Dandelion is known to contain bioactive substances like beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, taraxerol, and polysaccharides that are thought to provide gastrointestinal protective benefits. Studies have found these and other dandelion substances to be beneficial for gallstones.

Proponents claim that dandelion root increases the flow of bile, which may help prevent gallstones and other disorders. However, no solid scientific evidence supports this. More research is necessary.

Vitamin C

As an antioxidant, vitamin C is often taken to protect against oxidative stress and various health conditions.

There is some evidence that vitamin C may protect against some types of gallbladder disease, but the number of relevant studies supporting this is lacking overall.

A dated observational study found a possible relationship between vitamin C intake and gallstones. In the study of over 2,000 adults, those who reported regular vitamin C consumption had lower rates of gallstones than those who reported low vitamin C consumption. Researchers concluded that vitamin C might protect against gallstones.

A much smaller and more recent study found similar results, concluding that vitamin C supplementation may reduce cholesterol crystallization, and thus, gallstone formation.

A third study found that low levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants may increase the risk of cholecystitis (gallbladder infection).

Stronger, well-designed studies are necessary to determine the role of vitamin C in gallbladder disease. As it stands now, the evidence is too weak to make any definitive recommendation.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that may protect you from getting gallstones.

In one study of over 500 adults, researchers hypothesized that vitamin E levels in the blood would be inversely associated with gallstones. Participants agreed to have their blood drawn to assess their vitamin E status. Gallstones were also detected via ultrasound.

The results showed that participants with gallstone disease had lower vitamin E levels compared to those who didn't have the disease. Likewise, higher vitamin E levels were linked to a lower risk of gallstone disease.

Few other studies of the effects of vitamin E on gallbladder disease exist. Overall, research in this area is limited, and more studies are necessary.

Caffeine

Some research points to caffeine as a natural remedy for gallstones.

According to one systematic review, coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of gallstones. Studies have also found that gallstone risk decreases the more coffee you drink.

An observational study looked at how high coffee consumption affects the risk of gallstones. By analyzing over 100,000 members of the general population, researchers were able to conclude that drinking 2 to 6 cups of coffee per day may protect against gallstones.

Another observational study found that coffee consumption may decrease the risk of gallbladder cancer. According to researchers, coffee may lower the chance of getting gallbladder cancer by inhibiting gallstone formation. Gallstones are a risk factor for gallbladder cancer.

That other studies on gallbladder disease have found no benefits from caffeine use is worth noting.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant with many purported benefits.

Milk thistle has been used for centuries as a natural treatment for gallstones. Silymarin, one of the main active components in milk thistle, is thought to be responsible for any beneficial effects on gallstones.

However, no available studies explain how milk thistle may protect against gallstones. Well-designed studies are necessary to prove whether milk thistle has any role in gallstone prevention.

Other Ways to Relieve Gallbladder Disease Symptoms

You may be able to relieve certain symptoms of gallbladder disease with some minimally invasive treatments, especially if your disease is mild. However, severe or persistent cases of gallbladder disease may require surgery.

Lifestyle changes may be the first necessary step in treating gallbladder disease. An overall well-balanced diet plus regular physical activity is thought to lower the risk of gallstones. It's also important to maintain a healthy weight for your body type.

Many people with gallbladder disease experience pain. Fortunately, there are various ways to treat mild to moderate pain.

OTC pain medications are commonly recommended for gallbladder pain. Other options for pain treatment include hot and cold compresses.

Additionally, research is emerging on the use of acupuncture for gallbladder disease management. Some studies have shown that acupuncture may relieve symptoms of various types of gallbladder disease, including gallstones and cholecystitis.

Summary

Your gallbladder stores bile, a liquid-like substance your body needs to digest fats. Sometimes, things can go wrong with your gallbladder, leading to gallbladder disease.

In addition to standard care, complementary treatment options are available for gallbladder disease, including lifestyle changes and dietary supplements that may relieve symptoms or prevent the disease.

Overall, more research on the effectiveness of most supplements for gallbladder disease is necessary. Talk with a healthcare provider to learn if supplements are a safe choice for you.