Women who eat a lot of vegetables to fulfill the protein requirement of their diet are less likely at risk of having their gallbladder removed. This type of surgery is usually required for removal of gallstones and other similar problems.
It has been already discovered that protein derived from vegetables could prevent gallstones from forming in animals, however few studies that tested the effect in humans have been performed. The 20-year follow-up on a study of 121,000 women revealed that 7,831 of the women had their gallbladders removed, a surgery known as cholecystectomy.
Findings from the data on the women who underwent the cholecystectomy showed that total protein and animal protein intake had no bearing on the potential risk of choleystectomy. On the other hand, the risk of undergoing a cholecystectomy decreased when there was a high intake of vegetable protein.
Based on these results researchers recommended that women boost their consumption of vegetable protein as a protective measure against the likelihood of needing cholecystectomy.
American Journal of Epidemiology July 1, 2004;160(1):11-8
These findings are significant as about 500,000 gallbladders are removed each year in the United States, typically due to gallstones like the ones in the picture above.
But what most people don't realize is that the gallbladder plays an important role in the body--if you don't have a gallbladder you will have an impaired ability to absorb high-quality fats.
I have seen many hundreds of patients who have had their gallbladders removed, and I don't recall anyone ever telling me that their surgeon advised them to do something to compensate for removing this important organ. If you've had your gallbladder removed I encourage you to read my past article on the topic to find out what you can do to compensate.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people have their gallbladders removed every year.
Nearly all of the gallbladders that are removed are unnecessary. Of course most physicians wait beyond the point where recovery can occur, and the patient progresses to an acute surgical emergency that requires the gallbladder to be removed.
But, if the patient is caught early and instructed on proper diet and exercise therapy, nearly all of these surgeries could be avoided.
But to add insult to injury, virtually every surgeon tells the patient that his or her gallbladder really isn't necessary anyway and that there is no problem in removing it.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. The gallbladder stores bile and without bile, it is very difficult for your body to properly emulsify fats to absorb them. Trying to get fat into your body without a gallbladder is like trying to wash greasy dishes without soap. You can do it, but not very well.
So, it's always best to keep your gallbladder if at all possible. Start on the healthy eating program and get your exercise program in place to avoid having your gallbladder removed.
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