Scalpel-free gallbladder relief

Dear Reader, It's downright alarming how many doctors recommend gallbladder removal like it's just a routine, no-big-deal thing. But gallbladder removal should be your last resort. Why? Simple: you need your gallbladder. But a new Mayo Clinic study put this subject in the spotlight again. The study leaned heavily on gallbladder surgery as the answer to painful flare-ups. But as I said above (and as I've said before), I wholeheartedly disagree with this course of action. I've helped many patients make a full recovery from gallbladder pain--without going under the knife. (In fact, I gave all the details for my surgery-free gallbladder cure in the September 2012 issue of my Logical Health Alternativesnewsletter. Subscribers can view this issue for free by logging in to the archives on my website.) But the study did make one interesting point--and it's something I've been saying for years. the fatty, processed foods that fill the Standard American Diet are a major contributing factor to gallstone disease. Maybe if doctors spent more time educating their patients about eating healthy, whole, natural foods, we'd have fewer folks rushing to the ER with gallbladder pain in the first place. There's no question that gallstones hurt... they can cause "attacks" of pain that last from an hour to four hours, and occur when the gallbladder breaks the natural flow of bile from the gallbladder through the bile ducts. A lot of times, these attacks send people running scared to the ER. If you get these attacks regularly, your doctor will likely recommend surgery with the nonchalance he uses when ordering his morning latte. But, I'll say it again:surgery should be your last resort (unless, of course, your gallbladder is diseased or ruptured). Before submitting to surgery, take a closer look at what you're eating. There's no reason to cut fat entirely. But you should swap greasy, fatty foods for foods rich in healthy monounsaturated fats--like salmon, avocado, and macadamia nut oil. I also recommend adding more alkaline foods to your diet, like cucumbers, broccoli and almonds. These foods are important because they even out your body's pH balance, lowering acidity. When your pH level is too acidic, it can create excess inflammation, which is a cause of gallbladder issues. And a side benefit to incorporating these foods into your diet (besides a happier gallbladder)? Chances are you'll shed some of those excess pounds and end up slimmer and healthier. Not exactly a bad thing.