What causes
gallstones?
Progress has been made in understanding
the process of gallstone formation.
Researchers believe that gallstones may
be caused by a combination of factors,
including inherited body chemistry,
body weight, gallbladder motility
(movement), and perhaps diet.
Additionally, people with
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) are
at increased risk to develop
gallstones.
Cholesterol gallstones develop
when bile contains too much cholesterol
and not enough bile salts.
Besides a high concentration of
cholesterol, two other factors seem to
be important in causing gallstones. The
first is how often and how well the
gallbladder contracts; incomplete and
infrequent emptying of the gallbladder
may cause the bile to become
overconcentrated and contribute to
gallstone formation. The second factor
is the presence of proteins in the
liver and bile that either promote or
inhibit cholesterol crystallization
into gallstones.
Hormones and Gallstones
In
addition, increased levels of the
hormone oestrogen as a result of
pregnancy, hormone therapy, or the use
of combined (estrogen-containing) forms
of hormonal contraception, may increase
cholesterol levels in bile and also
decrease gallbladder movement,
resulting in gallstone formation.
Diet and Gallstones
No clear
relationship has been proven between
diet and gallstone formation. However,
low-fiber, high-cholesterol diets, and
diets high in starchy foods have been
suggested as contributing to gallstone
formation. Other nutritional factors
that may increase risk of gallstones
include rapid weight loss,
constipation, eating fewer meals per
day, eating less fish, and low intakes
of the nutrients folate, magnesium,
calcium, and vitamin C. On the other
hand, other research suggests that
wine, fish, and whole grain bread may
decrease the risk of gallstones.
