Diet for Gallbladder Sludge
The presence of gallbladder sludge can only be confirmed by an abdominal sonogram, or CT scan. The gallbladder's function is tested by a HIDA scan. Gallbladder sludge is actually comprised of many tiny gallstones. While the stones may be smaller, the pain caused by the presence of the sludge is just as intense as that caused by classic gallstones. Diet modification cannot rid the gallbladder of sludge, but it can help prevent gallbladder attacks.
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What the gallbladder does
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The gallbladder is an important part of your digestive system. It stores bile, and then adds that bile to the digestive process to break down food as needed. When your gallbladder isn't working properly, the food you eat passes through before it is digested. The undigested food in your system is attacked by bacteria, which creates gas as it multiplies, leaving you bloated and with bad breath. Vitamin deficiencies are also common among individuals who suffer from gallbaldder sludge. If your gallbladder pain is persistent, it will probably be removed.
What foods should I avoid?
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Avoid foods that are high in fat - whether it's good or bad fat - at all costs. According to studies done by the National Institutes of Health, 20 to 35 percent of your total calories should come from fat. Rather than trying to eliminate fat entirely, limit your fat intake to the limits recommended by NIH. If you need motivation, just think about the pain you experienced when you experienced you gallbladder attack.
Foods that are spicy or acidic are also known to trigger gallbladder attacks; that includes citrus fruits and tomato products. Pizza is out of the question; the same goes for those Florida oranges your relatives send for the holidays.
Good stuff
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There are still plenty of healthy foods you can still ingest. Diets high in calcium and fiber may reduce the risk of gallstones. Most importantly, you should drink plenty of water every day. The following foods have proven beneficial for reducing gallbladder attacks: apples, artichokes, avocados, prunes, low fat cottage cheese, and coconuts.
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