Li Xiao was recently diagnosed with cholecystitis during a medical examination at a health center. Upon inquiry, it was learned that Li Xiao often skips breakfast because he starts work early. Why is skipping breakfast a common cause of cholecystitis?
Doctors explain that bile is secreted by the liver, and the gallbladder merely acts as a temporary storage facility. When needed, bile travels through the bile duct into the duodenum to aid in the breakdown and absorption of fats and other nutrients. Bile secretion begins at night and is stored in the gallbladder. In the morning, when we consume fatty foods like eggs, the bile begins to function. This process is also one of bile consumption.
If you skip breakfast, the bile has no opportunity to be used and remains in the gallbladder, leading to stasis and bile retention. When you skip breakfast daily, the bile remains stagnant in the gallbladder without flowing. Over time, it can become a foreign substance, triggering inflammation and causing cholecystitis. Poor bile flow can also potentially lead to gallstones. Therefore, eating breakfast is crucial; its importance is greater than that of lunch, and an irregular breakfast is a primary cause of diseases such as cholecystitis and gallstones.