Hello everyone, I am Dr. Meng Yong, and today I want to go deep into a question that has attracted much attention: can patients with gallstones be able to supplement calcium?
First, let's learn about gallstones. Gallstones, as the name suggests, are stones that form in the biliary system, including the gallbladder or bile ducts. It is mainly divided into cholesterol stones, bilirubin stones and mixed stones. There are many factors that can contribute to the formation of gallstones, including a quiet and inactive lifestyle, obesity, skipping breakfast, postprandial snacks, cirrhosis, and genetics.
In daily life, many people wonder: Doctor, I have gallstones, can I still take calcium supplements?
Will calcium supplementation make the stones bigger and bigger?Let's find out together.
First of all, let me make it clear that calcium supplementation does not contribute to the enlargement or increase of stones. The formation of gallstones is associated with cholestasis, which is formed by the deposition and precipitation of cholesterol and bilirubin in bile. This is not directly related to the calcium in our body. Scientific studies have shown that high calcium does not cause gallstones. Therefore, patients with gallstones who need calcium supplementation are no different from the normal method of calcium supplementation, and there is no need to worry about stimulating the size or increase of stones (except for patients with urinary stones).
Calcium deficiency often leads to bone decalcification, which is a potential risk factor for serious fractures, especially in older people. Some older people may also develop hypocalcemia heart disease due to low blood calcium. Therefore, adequate calcium supplementation is very necessary for the elderly. Of course, before deciding on calcium supplementation, it is first necessary to determine whether calcium supplementation is really needed. If calcium can be supplemented through the diet, there is no need to take medication to supplement it.
So, how should patients with gallstones pay attention to their diet?Here are some suggestions:
Avoid foods high in cholesterol, such as pig brains, pig hearts, eggs, pine eggs, cuttlefish and caviar
Avoid animal fats and high-fat foods, such as fatty meats, lard, fried foods and greasy foods
Reduce sugar and chocolate;
Quit smoking and drinking;Avoid seafood, marine fish, crab and shrimp, etc.;
Avoid eating irritating foods such as chili peppers, five-spice powder, Sichuan peppercorns, etc.;
Avoid overeating;
Increase your intake of high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
Supplement with foods rich in vitamin K, such as spinach and cauliflower
Eat more yellow-green vegetables rich in vitamin A;
The taste should be as light as possible, and the seasoning should be moderate.
To sum up, for patients with gallstones, proper calcium supplementation does not negatively affect stones. Of course, it is advisable to consult a professional doctor before supplementing calcium. Please keep an optimistic attitude and healthy eating habits, and wish you a happy life!Do gallstones have to be surgical?