Foods to eat and avoid with gallstones

I have trouible with gallstones. Which foods should I eat or avoid?

The primary ingredient in most gallstones is cholesterol, so it is not surprising that reducing your dietary cholesterol intake will alleviate the symptoms and frequency of gallbladder attacks.

Studies suggest that a vegetarian diet can reduce the risk of developing gallstones. However, this only applies if the diet is also low in fats, so lean meats should be fine, if meat eaters do not want to switch to a low-fat vegetarian diet. I’m not suggesting that you remove all fats from your diet — essential fatty acids, such as the omega 3 found in oily fish (mackerel, salmon, kippers, herrings, sprats, trout, sardine and pilchards) are valuable foods for helping with gallbladder symptoms.

Psyllium husks are also a great help with gallstones. You should take 1-3 teaspoons in 300ml of water each morning, and again last thing at night. Psyllium cleanses the colon, which is important, since constipation is linked with gallstone formation. Bran is not recommended for gastrointestinal disorders, since this insoluble fibre can often cause additional issues and irritation.

Get plenty of vitamin C in your diet, since this helps to convert cholesterol to bile acids. Vitamin C-rich foods include kiwi fruit, citrus fruits, melons, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and red capsicum. While many people use the ‘lemon juice and olive oil’ protocol to break down gallstones (2.5ml of lemon juice taken together with 60ml of olive oil, five times daily, until the stones pass), I recommend the South American rainforest herb, quebra pedra (phyllanthus niruri, also known as chanca piedra). The name roughly translates to ‘stone-breaker’, and this herb is effective without any side-effects or contra-indications.

Quebra pedra not only breaks down gallstones, it also reduces inflammation and relieves muscle spasms. You can take this remedy as a tea or in capsule form. Rio Health’s Quebra pedra teabags and capsules are both available from Here’s Health ( www.hereshealth.ie ; 021-4278101): the tea costs €8.48 for 40 x 1500mg teabags, and the capsules cost €24.55 for 90 x 500mg capsules. Take as directed.

My father-in-law is receiving radiotherapy to treat his prostate cancer. Are there supplements or remedies that can help while he is undergoing this treatment?

A key supplement used in natural medicine to reduce the unwanted side-effects of radiotherapy is Schisandra.

Schisandra chinensis is an adaptogenic herb that supports the immune system and enables the liver to clear toxins.

Viridian’s standardised, full-potency Schisandra berry extract provides the necessary dosage of 200mg, which your father-in-law should take twice daily. It is available from helath stores where 90 capsules costs €21.10.

The prostate gland is at the neck of the bladder, which is why most men think that it plays a role in urine flow. It is actually essential for reproduction: its growth and functioning are controlled by testosterone. Due to the position of the prostate, it does impact urinary flow when it becomes inflamed.

Male readers who are concerned with symptoms such as urinary frequency, difficult or painful urination, or blood in the urine should have their prostate checked. Prostate cancer occurs mostly in men over the age of 50 years, and is effectively treated when caught early, so it is worth the small discomfort of having regular check-ups.

Men Against Cancer (MAC) is a support group run by men who have been successfully treated for prostate or testicular cancer. They provide reassurance and information for men dealing with any stage of this disease — from diagnosis to post-radiotherapy recovery. MAC have a FreeFone Cancer Helpline on 1800 200 700 (open Monday to Friday), and can also be e-mailed at [e-mail]

Do you have a question for Megan Sheppard?

Email it to [e-mail]

or send a letter to:

Feelgood,

Irish Examiner,

Linn Dubh,

Assumption Road,

Blackpool,

Cork