GALLSTONES – DESCRIPTION
Gallstones affect both sexes and all ages but seem to be more common in the overweight and in women who have had repeated pregnancies.
The condition tends to run in familes but whether because of heredity or common environment factors, such as diet, is not yet certain.
What are these stones which are so common and cause so much concern?
The gallbladder is pear shaped, about 10 cm long, and lies tucked under the liver. It acts as a reservoir of bile and concentrates it.
Bile is formed in the liver and contains the acids necessary for the digestion of fats and also bile pigments, which are breakdown products of the red blood cells.
Diet may be the most important cause but, again, the mechanism is not proven. Diets high in refined sugar, those lacking in fibre and those high in polyunsaturated fats predispose to the formation of stones.
Although most stones contain cholesterol and some consist only of this substance, a diet high in cholesterol does not seem to lead to stones.
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