Gallstone disease refers to the condition where stones form in any part of the biliary system, including the gallbladder and bile ducts. Experts both in China and abroad have confirmed that the formation of gallstones is related to poor dietary and hygiene habits.
Skipping breakfast is a common habit. Some medical experts in the United States conducted a comparative study on women with gallstones and healthy women of similar age and weight. The results showed that all female gallstone patients aged 20-35 had longer periods of overnight fasting compared to their healthy peers of the same age.
After a period of research, it was finally confirmed that prolonged fasting is related to the formation of gallstones. The reason is that bile secretion decreases during fasting, and the composition of bile also changes. The content of cholic acid decreases, while cholesterol deposits in the gallbladder. Over time, this can lead to the formation of cholesterol stones. If cholic acid secretion is insufficient or cholesterol secretion is excessive, and one often skips breakfast, leading to prolonged fasting, it is easy to develop gallstone disease.
A sweet tooth. Researchers at Oakwood Medical University in the United States found that women around 40 who love sweets are prone to developing stones. In a sample survey, they found that over 90% of gallstone patients were uniformly overweight middle-aged women, and all had a penchant for sweets. Researchers believe that excessive sugar increases insulin secretion, accelerates cholesterol accumulation, and disrupts the balance between cholesterol, bile alcohol, and lecithin in bile. Excessive sugar can also be converted into fat, leading to weight gain, which in turn increases cholesterol secretion and promotes the occurrence of gallstones.
Poor dietary structure. Chinese medical experts once analyzed gallstone patients in a certain region in Northwest China and found that the cause of the disease was related to a poor dietary structure. This is mainly due to overconsumption of refined carbohydrates, which increases the saturation of cholesterol in bile, causing cholesterol to precipitate and form stones.
Secondly, excessive intake of fatty foods changes the composition of bile, increasing the content of cholesterol and bilirubin, and disrupting fat metabolism. This leads to bile concentration and reduced gallbladder contraction function, making it easier for stones to form.
Therefore, to prevent gallstone disease, it is important to develop good dietary habits: do not overconsume sugar and fat, do not fast for too long, and eat more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A on a regular basis.