Doesn't Keto Cause Gallstones Eating All That Fat?

Can you do keto with gallstones? Watch this detailed video to find out.

In this video, we’re going to talk about keto and gallstones. Can you do the ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting if you have a gallstone?  

What is a gallstone made of? 
There are several different types of gallstones, but the most common is the cholesterol gallstone. 

The different types of gallstones contain several of the same ingredients, such as:

• Cholesterol 
• Bilirubin 
• Phosphates
• Calcium carbonate

What causes gallstones?
It’s mainly a combination of two things:
1. Too much cholesterol 
2. Too little bile 

The most important thing you need to know about gallstones:
• The composition of a gallstone is not the same thing as bile 

Another important point about gallstones:
• Fasting does not cause gallstones

What can cause a super-saturated amount of cholesterol?
A situation where the gallbladder is not contracting anymore. It’s not releasing bile. It just sits there, and cholesterol comes in and forms stones. If you’re not triggering your gallbladder to release its contents, over a long period of time, that could cause a gallstone.

What triggers the release of bile from the gallbladder?
The answer is saturated fats. A ketogenic diet is a low-carb high-fat diet. So, when you do keto, you’re going to be releasing a lot of bile on a regular basis. If you add intermittent fasting, you’re going to concentrate the bile. 

* Healthy keto and intermittent fasting may actually decrease the risk of gallstones. 

* What increases the risk of gallstones is a low-fat diet. 

A couple more things you need to know about gallstones:

• High estrogen can trigger gallstones
• High insulin can increase the risk of gallstones
• A common treatment for gallstones is taking purified bile salts 

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

I hope this video cleared up the question, “can you do keto with gallstones?”

[WordsbySamuel]

Some advice here from someone who consistently suffers from gallstones. I went on the low fat diet after being diagnosed with gallbladder problems. Worst decision of my life. However, when I started eat more fat, I completely flushed my gallbladder of stones and sludge. Then I decided to start keto. I play college soccer and am very active. When I started keto, I lost so much fat within the first week. Then I noticed my gallbladder problems coming back. My advice is if you are a very active person with gallbladder problems, you can cut down carbs a little bit you will have to eat them or go on a targeted keto diet where you eat more carbs pre and post intense exercise. Rapid weight loss and too much fat being flushed out can lead to gallstones. However, if you are a sedentary person, keto is the perfect remedy for gallstones.

[nnrdm]

Potassium helps build bile, the liver produces bile, bile is released from the liver via the gall bladder -

Bile is released when stomach acidity is acid enough, potassium helps maintain stomach acidity-

Bile is recycled in the intestines through the breakdown down of fibres and the microbes that feed off it-

Finally water- dehydrating is a contributor factor in sluggish gall bladder.

[lillypod]

Passed a gallstone about 2 weeks into this program...man oh man did that hurt. The pain lasted a good 10 full seconds and I could feel it crawling and scraping along the 'tube'... thank god I only had 1. Haven't had a problem since and been on this for over a year. Thanks Doc :-)

[lynnharrell]

Sadly, where I live, a common treatment for gallstones is to have surgery to remove the gallbladder.

[chelseawirthweim]

I had no idea I had a gallstone until I had a chest CT when I had covid. To my knowledge it's never caused any issues. Fast forward about 6 months, hubby wanted to start keto together, then I remembered the gallstone. Glad I found this video.

[elliotelliott]

💓💓💓 We have been waiting for this vid!!! Need to see a vid on calcium channel blockers and long term effects.💓💓💓

[CarbageMan]

I experienced my gallbladder issue while fasting. Fortunately, I passed the stone, or whatever it was, after a few months.

[anettszigethi]

Dr. Eric Berg!
I love your content so much, it’s so unique, straightforward and helpful.
I can’t thank you enough for teaching all these important informations, which school would never teach me.

[junelove]

Fasting is linked to gallstones because the bile stagnates in the gallbladder

[raymitchell]

Dr. Berg, you really know what you're talking about on this subject. Thankfully I watch your videos and was able to help a friend SOLVE their gallstone problem. What's so backwards is the recommendation from mainstream doctors to reduce dietary cholesterol and fat, which will probably make the condition worse and likely down the road warrant gallbladder removal surgery and they *never* mentioned bile salts for therapy, I don't know why.

[MrKErocks]

I developed gallsones when I went on a NO fat diet.

[Kbenzito]

The question wasn't answered in the video. If you already have gallstones, and saturated fat releases bile, which is when the stones irritate the duct, then keto wouldn't be ideal, correct? It would cause more issues. Does IF and bile salts dissolve the stones? From my understanding, it doesn't. I would love clarification on this because I need to do keto, but I have also had a few gallbladder attacks due to stones. Any clarification would be appreciated.

[ManjieTee]

I ask my doctor today if I can do Keto to control or normalize my hypertension. And he said no coz that might lead to gallstones. But to be honest I'm on my 3rd week keto and feel better. My BP is at 110/70 which 30 knots below my usual for the past 4 years

[WordsbySamuel]

Also, when trying to dissolve stones with bile salts, take a magnesium supplement as well. Magnesium helps widen the bile ducts so stones can slide right through. I take magnesium glycinate and Malate(no laxative effect) as well as purified bile salts with meals and it works!

[seekerNLearner]

Started using DrBerg's gall bladder formula, improved my digestion of fatty foods. Now on OMAD and started spreading the success story to family members and friends. Thanks DrBerg.

[luvyou-baby]

Does pale stool mean low bile?
Used to have, till I started to drink apple vinegar after meals.

[ritainpink]

What’s the difference between purified bile salts n ox bile?

[pinkoceanflower]

Dr. Berg, can you explain why eating oxylates, plant herbs, cause painful gallbladder attacks? I’ve tried herbs and raw vegetables, but they trigger painful gallbladder attacks. I’m trying my hardest to dissolve my gallstones, because I’m trying to avoid surgery. Really scared to do surgery to remove the gallbladder.

[Edu_Kate]

If only I knew this 40+ years ago. Sadly, a lifetime of eating SAD my gallbladder was removed.

[juliepeace]

After I was on Keto for a few months and lost weight I developed gall bladder disease and had to remove my gall bladder because of gallstones.