Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Highlights

Highlights

Risk Factors

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women who use HRT have a higher risk for gallstones or gallbladder surgery. All types of HRT increase the risk, but a 2005 Journal of the American Association study reported that the risks are greater for estrogen alone therapy than combined estrogen and progesterone therapy.
• Metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome may be a risk factor for gallstones as well as heart disease. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity. Obesity itself is also a risk factor for gallstone disease.

Diet

• Fats. Consuming trans-fatty acids may lead to gallstone formation in men, according to a 2005 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Trans-fatty acids are partially hydrogenated vegetable oils found in stick margarine, fried foods, and processed baked foods. By contrast, mono-unsaturated fats (found in olive and canola oils) and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil) appear to decrease gallstone risk.
• Carbohydrates. High intakes of carbohydrates and sugar can increase gallstone risk, suggests a 2005 study in Gut. The researchers recommend that people at risk for gallstones avoid low fat, high carbohydrate diets.
• Nuts. Several recent studies suggest that eating more nuts may reduce the risk of developing gallstones.

Surgery

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is safe for obese people. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually recommended over open cholecystectomy for gallbladder removal. However, some surgeons are concerned that very obese people may not be good candidates for this procedure. A 2005 study indicated that the surgery may take longer to perform in obese people, but it is safe and works well.