The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver. Liver secretes bile which gall bladder then restore for later use. Bile is used by the body to digest fats. It contains cholesterol, bile salts, lecithin and small amounts of some other substances.

Rapid changes of body weight can cause gall bladder problems. It is important to note, that obesity and gall bladder disease are related. Gall bladder problems are most common among women age forty and over who also are overweight and have had children.

Inflamed gall bladder causes severe pain in the upper right abdomen, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It must be treated immediately or it may become life threatening.

Here are some considerations potentially beneficial to improve gall bladder function.

"Detoxification program for the liver and colon may improve gall bladder function.  "Cleansing coffee enemas may give some relief if you have chronic problems.  "Essential fatty acids are very important constituents of every living cell and are needed to repair and prevention of gall stones. Vitamin E prevents fats from becoming rancid. "Lecithin is a fat emulsifier helping in digestion of fats. It is available as capsules or granules.  "L-Glycine is essential for the biosynthesis of nucleic and bile acids. It is absorbed better if it is taken with B6 and C vitamins. Milk will inhibit the absorption, so take it with juice or water. "Vitamin A is needed for repair of tissues. "All B vitamins are needed for proper digestion. "C vitamin deficiency may lead to gall stones. "Gall bladder malfunction interferes with vitamin D absorption. Consider supplements if you  have gall bladder problems. "Alfalfa cleanses the liver and supplies necessary vitamins and minerals. "In Europe peppermint oil capsules are used to cleanse the gall bladder. "Other potentially beneficial herbs are barberry root bark, catnip, cramp bark, dandelion, fennel, ginger root, horsetail, parsley, and wild yam. "Avoid all animal fat and meat, fried foods, spicy foods, margarine, soft drinks, chocolate, commercial oils, refined carbohydrates, and coffee. "Do not overeat.

Gall stones don't necessarily cause any symptoms, unless one of the stones slips into a bile duct. Bile duct drains the gall bladder and the liver. The symptoms of a gall stone blocking the bile passage are nausea, vomiting, and pain in the upper right abdomen. Symptoms usually start after eating fatty or fried food.

Gall stones are formed from crystallized cholesterol combined with bile. The treatment for gall stones is usually surgical removal of the gall bladder if the stones cause symptoms. Sometimes drugs or sound waves can be used to get stones dissolved or fragmented.