Some friends may inadvertently find themselves with gallstones. Many unhealthy eating habits can lead to gallstones. So what exactly causes gallstones? How should patients eat and how can we prevent gallstones?
What are gallstones?
1. The bile secreted by the liver contains a large amount of cholesterol and is imbalanced compared to other components, so it cannot be completely dissolved and microstones are formed, forming cholesterol stones. This is the condition for formation, especially when the bile in the gallbladder is concentrated more than 4 times. The high cholesterol content in the bile secreted by the liver is unrelated to the high cholesterol concentration in the blood. Therefore, oral medication to lower cholesterol in the blood will not lower the cholesterol content in the bile, nor can it prevent the formation of gallstones.
2. Incomplete emptying of the gallbladder. After eating, the gallbladder will contract and excrete bile into the small intestine to help digestion. If the gallbladder does not contract well or is weak in contraction, such as during pregnancy or long-term fasting, the gallbladder is weak in contraction and it is easy to develop gallstones.
3. Other factors:
Ⅰ. Due to the different factors in men and women, the chances of gallstones in women are much higher than in men. The hormones produced during pregnancy can weaken the contraction of the gallbladder, so women are particularly prone to developing gallstones after pregnancy. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy after menopause increase the cholesterol content in bile and weaken the contraction of the gallbladder, increasing the risk of gallstones. The increased risk of gallstones in those taking contraceptives and pregnant women is based on epidemiological statistical analysis, and not all those taking contraceptives or pregnant will develop gallstones.
Ⅱ. Overweight and obese individuals have increased cholesterol content in their bile, decreased relative bile salt content, and incomplete contraction and emptying of the gallbladder, all of which increase the risk of gallstone formation. Overweight women aged 20-40 are 6 times more likely to develop gallstones than women with normal weight.
Ⅲ. A high-fat and high-calorie diet combined with sedentary work increases the risk of gallstones, while a low-fat, low-calorie diet and physical exercise can reduce the incidence of gallstones.
Ⅳ. The incidence of gallstones increases with age.
Causes of gallstones
1. Some people have little exercise or physical labor, and over time, their gallbladder function will definitely decline. The flow and excretion of bile will be delayed, leading to bile stasis and the precipitation of cholesterol crystals. Over time, if they are not careful, gallstones can form.
2. Being overweight and obese and regularly consuming high-fat, high-sugar, and high-cholesterol drinks or snacks are important factors in developing gallstones.
3. Skipping breakfast. Many people nowadays skip breakfast, and long-term skipping of breakfast increases bile concentration, which is conducive to bacterial growth and promotes the formation of gallstones. If you insist on eating breakfast, it can promote the outflow of some bile, reduce the viscosity of bile stored overnight, and reduce the risk of gallstones.
4. Snacking after meals. When a person is in a curled position, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, gastrointestinal motility is restricted, which is not conducive to the digestion, absorption, and excretion of bile. Prolonged sitting after meals affects the resorption of bile acids, leading to an imbalance between cholesterol and bile acids in the bile, and cholesterol easily deposits.
5. Liver cirrhosis. This is related to the decreased inactivation function of estrogen in patients with liver cirrhosis. If the inactivation function of estrogen in the body is reduced, the estrogen level will be higher. In addition, factors such as poor contraction of the gallbladder, poor emptying of the gallbladder, portal vein varices, and elevated bilirubin levels in the blood can cause gallstones.
6. Genetic factors. Genetic factors obviously play an important role in determining the risk of gallstones. Gallstones occur more frequently in relatives of patients with cholesterol gallstones.
