Think you don't need a gallbladder? Think again - By Dr. Tracy McAlvanah
Have you been told you don’t need your gallbladder? Think again. Sure, you’ll live without it, but the gallbladder is actually a vital digestive organ. The gallbladder stores bile , a chemical made by the liver that emulsifies fat, and secretes it into the small intestine when needed. Bile is necessary for the digestion and absorption of fats, and it helps ensure you absorb vitamins and minerals from foods in your diet. Gallstones and a congested gallbladder Gallbladder removal is one of the most common surgeries today and is performed when the gallbladder becomes congested with gallstones. Things that can cause gallstones are nutritional deficiencies, hydrogenated fats (trans fats), processed vegetable oils, hypothyroidism, and no-fat or low-fat diets. The gallbladder there is like a holding tank for bile that secretes it as needed, such as when you eat something fatty. Without a gallbladder the liver continuously leaks bile into the small intestine. This means there is not...