How to Prevent Gallstones From Forming During Weight Loss

Gallstones are clusters of cholesterol and other solid materials that form in the gallbladder, and around 20 million Americans are afflicted with gallstones each year. Most people don't even know they have gallstones because they do not have any painful symptoms. Other people suffer from abdominal or back pain because of their gallstones, and in rare cases gallstones can cause very serious health problems. Gallstones often form when a person loses a lot of weight in a short period of time. This can be avoided, however.

Instructions

• 1

  Lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss is a leading cause of the formation of gallstones. Shoot for losing only one to two pounds each week. Anything more than this can cause gallstones.

• 2

  Set a reasonable goal for weight loss that you will actually be able to keep up with. Losing 50 pounds in the next 30 days might sound great, but it's unrealistic. Experts say that losing only 10 percent of body weight over a six-month period can improve the health of an overweight or obese adult.

• 3

  Include some fat in your diet. This helps stimulate your gallbladder into contracting and emptying, which is healthy. But remember that no more than 30 percent of your total calorie intake should come from fat.

• 4

  Eat more fiber and calcium. Eating a diet that is high in fiber and calcium may help reduce the risk of developing gallstones.

• 5

  Exercise regularly, or engage in some form of regular physical activity. Studies have shown that people who are physically active are much less likely to develop gallstones.