How Obesity Can Raise Your Chances of Developing Gallstones

There is a link between gallstones and obesity, particularly cholesterol gallstones.

Those who are obese have a higher risk of developing the stones. Those losing weight have an even more increased risk.

Once weight loss has stabilized the risk level decreases again.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that is responsible for:

• Storing bile, a substance produced by the liver that helps digest fat
• It also carries away waste products from the liver.

You can live without a gallbladder, and many people have had theirs removed when it has caused them problems.

Acid within your gallbladder normally hinders the formation of these cholesterol stones (the most common form), but if you have high levels of cholesterol the acid many not be able to keep up and the stones may form.

Because most stones are made from cholesterol, and a result of too much cholesterol in the blood, those who are obese are at risk because they are also likely to have high cholesterol.

The presence of gallstones can lead to a gallbladder attack, which includes symptoms such as:

• Severe pain in the upper right part of the abdomen that may last for hours
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea and
• Vomiting.

Gallstones are typically diagnosed through blood tests and/or an ultrasound exam.

In minor cases, medication can be used to break up the stones.

In more severe cases surgery is necessary and the gallbladder is usually removed.

• Maintain a normal weight.
• Limit the amount of high fat foods you eat.
• Control diabetes and high cholesterol if you have them.

Of course, if you are obese decreasing your risk for gallstones is just another reason why you should try to overcome obesity.

The primary way to overcome obesity is to make necessary lifestyle changes.

This includes eliminating high calorie and high fat foods from your diet and replacing them with healthier low fat, low calorie alternatives.

The second lifestyle step to be made in overcoming obesity is to increase your fitness level.

Adding a little bit more action to each day can get you on the right path in no time.

Overcoming obesity is a challenging road, but we’re here to help you meet that challenge. Here's how.

• Incorporate a proven, complete nutritional program into your daily life.
• Enhance your nutritional program with a complete mutivitamin supplement because no nutritional program is perfect.
• Use a behavior modification and motivational program that will help you stay on track with your nutritional plan.
• Exercise at home with your own:
  Treadmill

  Stairstepper

  Exercise bike

  Elliptical trainer

  Hand weights or

  An aerobic video.

• See what kinds of weight loss aids your health insurance covers such as:
  Hypnotism

  Gym membership discounts

  Nutritional counseling.

• Track how much you exercise on a calendar so you can feel motivated by your progress.
• Discover a new fruit.
• Try a new vegetable.
• Use low-fat salad dressings.
• Limit your desserts to special occasions.
• Watch your portion sizes.
• Eat well-balanced meals.

All of these tips will get you started on your journey before you end up with gallstones.

You can overcome your weight issues; but, you must take the first step to begin the journey.

Will you take the first step to a new you by making the commitment to lose weight starting right now?

It is totally up to you. Go ahead. Take the first step today.