Gallstone disease, the lifestyle-related condition once associated with the western world, has markedly increased here due to the growing popularity of western diets. Although the exact causes of gallstones are not known, they are believed to have the multi-factorial origin, with an interaction of both genetic and environmental factors. Common risk factors include obesity, food allergies, sensitivities, aging, hormone (estrogen) treatment, pregnancy, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, liver disease and even crash dieting. The gallbladder is a little pear-shaped sac which sits close to the liver and helps in efficient digestion.
It is the organ that stores and concentrates the bile produced by the liver. It also releases the bile into the small intestines during meals to aid fat digestion and absorption. The gallbladder helps to break up fat globules and in the absorption of…
