Gallstone disease was once commonly found in people over 40 years old, but nowadays it tends to be found more frequently in younger ages, with women being affected twice as much as men. The main factors of this disease are “obesity” and eating behaviors that cause high levels of fat and cholesterol beyond the capacity of the biliary system. Cholesterol then accumulates and forms gallstones.
Risk of Gallstone Disease Associated with “Fat and Obesity”
- Obese people have impaired fat breakdown in the gallbladder, reduced gallbladder contraction, which may lead to cholesterol-type gallstones.
- With increasing age, metabolic systems deteriorate, resulting in higher cholesterol levels in bile.
- Rapid weight loss damages the metabolic system, causing the body to dissolve too much fat.
- Diabetic patients with high levels of triglycerides in the blood.
Excess Fat, the Risk of “Gallstone Disease” Comes Sooner Than You Think
Excess fat accelerates the development of gallstone disease due to eating behaviors where the body receives a high amount of fat while the liver, which produces bile to break down fat, cannot keep up. This causes some fat that is not broken down in time to settle in the gallbladder and form stones. Additionally, obesity or being overweight further triggers gallstone disease because of high cholesterol levels.
Proper Weight Loss, Restore Metabolism Correctly, Reduce the Risk of Gallstones
Proper weight loss not only helps regulate the metabolic system but also helps prevent gallstone disease. For those who want to lose weight, avoid behaviors such as skipping meals, eating only vegetables and fruits, and cutting out carbohydrates and fats to prevent metabolic system damage!
This is because when we eat small amounts of food or only vegetables, our digestive system becomes accustomed to digesting these foods in that amount, and the body adjusts by reducing metabolic activity. However, when we return to eating carbohydrates, fats, increase food portions, or start eating dinner again, weight will increase rapidly because the metabolism does not respond. People who experience the yo-yo effect often find it harder to lose weight again.
Recommended Dietary Adjustments for Proper Weight Loss
- Control daily calorie intake by gradually reducing it by no more than 500 calories from the original amount. After losing some weight, reduce calories slightly more. Do not reduce calories too quickly because if the body is used to a high calorie intake and suddenly the calories drop rapidly, the body will store fat as a mechanism to conserve energy for times of very low energy intake.
- Focus on protein intake because protein plays an important role in metabolism. The body needs protein, but it must be low-fat protein such as chicken breast, tofu, beans, or seafood, consumed in appropriate amounts: women should get 46 grams of protein per day and men 56 grams per day.
- Avoid refined carbohydrate foods such as white bread, white rice, or cakes because carbohydrates are broken down into small molecules called “glucose,” some of which are absorbed into the bloodstream to be used as energy by various organs, and some are stored in the liver and muscles before the liver converts the sugar into fat for energy reserves. If unused, this leads to fat accumulation and weight gain.
- Do not skip breakfast! Eating breakfast helps increase the body’s energy metabolism rate throughout the day. However, choose breakfast that is complex carbohydrates, high in protein, and low in fat.
It’s not just about choosing the right foods; exercise is another way to solve excess fat problems. Importantly! Weight loss not only reduces the risk of gallstones but also lowers the risk of many other diseases.
