New Article--Exercise reduces risk of GB attack

mercola.com newsletter has report on a new medical journal article out on exercising reducing the risk of gallbladder attacks.

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jun/4/exercise_gallstone.htm


Exercise Lowers Risk of Gallstones



An active lifestyle including daily exercise can reduce the risk of Gallstones by about 60 percent, according to a study.

Gallstones, which affect about 15 percent of us, form when bile within the gallbladder collects and settles. Gradually, cholesterol found in the bile can crystallize into gallstones. Most Gallstones dissolve naturally and produce no symptoms, however some can be painful and may have to be surgically removed.

Researchers theorized that exercise may “shake up” the bile, thereby not allowing it the chance to crystallize into stones.

In the study, researchers compared rates of physical activity and occurrence of Gallstones in over 25,000 adults aged from 45 to 79 years.

Results showed that the more physical activity performed, the lower the risk of developing gallstones. Further, people who exercised the most had a 60 percent lower gallstone risk than people who were inactive.

The results remained even after other factors of gallstone risk, such as obesity, alcohol use and reproductive history, were accounted for.

However, more studies are needed to confirm the relationship between physical activity and gallstones, according to researchers.

Digestive Disease Week May 18, 2003 Orlando, Florida



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DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:
Surgeons yank out about 1 million gallbladders a year and then out of ignorance tell nearly every patient that their gallbladders aren’t really needed anyway.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

You need your gallbladder to help you digest fats. The gallbladder stores bile, which helps you emulsify and absorb fats. And believe me, you need fat to stay healthy, especially omega-3 fats such as those found in fish oil.

When you don’t have a gallbladder it is similar to trying to wash greasy dishes without soap. You just can’t do a very good job. The bile acts like the soap and helps to emulsify and break down the fat so your body can absorb it.

So if you have your gallbladder removed you have two options if you want to stay healthy:

A gallbladder transplant
Compensate for the loss with supplements
Since I have not heard of anyone ever receiving a gallbladder transplant yet (after all, the surgeons say you don’t even need one), the supplements are the best solution.

Typically, I recommend a digestive enzyme that is high in the enzyme lipase that will help you break down the fat. Alternatively, you can use bile salt replacements. Both of these products are available in any typical health food store.

The fact that exercise is a major tool for gallbladder disease is not new news here as I posted this information over five years ago.

However, it does serve as a potent reminder that exercise can be used as a drug to treat a wide variety of clinical conditions such as:

Gallstones
Diabetes
Obesity
Related Articles:

Regular Exercise Prevents Gallstones
Regular Exercise May Prevent Gallstone Surgery
Estrogen Linked to Gallstone Risk

http://www.mercola.com/2003/jun/4/exercise_gallstone.htm