Overweight people are at greater risk of developing gallstones that people of average weight.
However, people who are considering a diet program requiring very low intake of calories each day should be aware that during rapid or substantial weight loss, a person's risk of developing gallstones is increased.
Gallstones are clumps of solid material that form in the gallbladder.
They may occur as a single, large stone or many small ones.
Gallstones are a mixture of compounds, but typically they are mostly cholesterol.
Most people with gallstones don't know they have them and experience no symptoms.
For an unfortunate minority, however, gallstones can cause painful attacks.
Gallstones develop in the gallbladder
The gallbladder stores and releases bile into the intestine to aid digestion.
Bile is a fluid made by the liver that helps in digestion.
Bile contains substances called bile salts that act like natural detergents to break down fats in the food we eat.
As food passes from the stomach into the small intestine the gallbladder releases bile into the bile ducts.
These ducts, or tubes, run from the liver to the intestine.
Bile also helps eliminate excess cholesterol from the body.
The liver secretes cholesterol into the bile, which is then eliminated from the body via the digestive system.
Are Obese People More Likely To Develop Gallstones?
Yes. Obesity is a strong risk factor for gallstones.
The more obese a person is, the greater his or her risk is of developing gallstones.
Why obesity is a risk factor for gallstones is unclear.
But researchers believe that in obese people, the liver produces too much cholesterol.
The excess cholesterol leads to supersaturation in the gallbladder.
People who lose a lot of weight rapidly are at greater risk for developing gallstones.
Gallstones are one of the most medically important complications of voluntary weight loss.
Why Does Weight Loss Cause Gallstones?
Researchers believe dieting may cause a shift in the balance of bile salts and cholesterol in the gallbladder.
The cholesterol level is increased and the amount of bile salts is decreased.
Going for long periods without eating also may decrease gallbladder contractions.
If the gallbladder does not contract often enough to empty out the bile gallstones may form.
Are People Who Have Surgery To Lose Weight Also at Risk for Gallstones?
Gallstones are common among obese patients who lose weight rapidly after gastric bypass surgery.
Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Greater Than the Risk of Getting Gallstones?
There's no question that obesity poses serious health risks.
Obesity has been linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
Obesity has also been associated with higher rates of certain types of cancer, such as gallbladder, colon, prostate, breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers.
Weight loss also reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels.
Even a modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds can bring positive changes.
And the psychological boost from losing weight, such as improved self image and greater social interaction, should not be ignored.
Patients who are thinking about beginning a commercial diet program to lose a significant amount of weight should talk with their doctors.
Most researchers believe three conditions are necessary to form Most researchers believe three conditions are necessary to form gallstones.
First, the bile becomes supersaturated with cholesterol, which means the bile contains more cholesterol than the bile salts can dissolve.
Second, an imbalance of proteins or other substances in the bile causes the cholesterol to start to crystallize.
Third, the gallbladder does not contract enough to empty its bile regularly.
Are Some Weight Loss Methods Better Than Others in Preventing Gallstones?
Possibly.
If substantial or rapid weight loss increases the risk of developing gallstones, more gradual weight loss would seem to lessen the risk of getting gallstones.
However, studies are needed to test this theory.
Some very low calorie diets may not contain enough fat to cause the gallbladder to contract enough to empty its bile.
A meal or snack containing approximately 10 grams (one-third of an ounce) of fat is necessary for the gallbladder to contract normally.
But again, no studies have directly linked a diet's nutrient composition to the risk of gallstones.
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