Periods of prolonged caloric restriction can influence digestive processes and gallbladder function, so does fasting cause gallstones?
While fasting decreases gallbladder movement, fasting alone isn’t a leading cause of gallstones. Instead, factors such as insulin resistance, elevated fasting glucose, and high carbohydrate intake play a more significant role in gallstone formation.
Learn about the common causes of gallstones and discover seven ways to support bile flow and overall digestive health while fasting.
What are gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, a small organ that stores bile, which is a crucial digestive fluid produced by the liver.
Gallstones vary in size from less than a millimeter to over an inch in diameter and are typically classified into three main types: cholesterol, pigment, and mixed gallstones.
Cholesterol gallstones are primarily made of undissolved cholesterol, while pigmented gallstones mostly comprise bilirubin, a waste product that, in excess, may signal other health conditions such as sickle cell anemia.
Mixed gallstones contain a blend of cholesterol, calcium salts, and pigments.
According to research published by American Family Physician, up to 90 percent of gallstones are cholesterol or mixed, with only 10 percent being classified as pigmented.1
Many gallstones go unnoticed until they become large enough to temporarily or permanently block bile flow through the biliary tract.
Once a gallstone lodges itself in the gallbladder duct, it causes a buildup of bile and can trigger severe pain as the gallbladder muscles contract in an attempt to release it. These contractions, also called biliary colic, usually occur after a large or fatty meal and may last a few minutes up to five hours.
Left unaddressed, gallstones may lead to gallbladder disease or complications such as biliary tract infections, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, or chronic cholecystitis.
If you experience sudden abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder, along with nausea and vomiting, seek prompt medical care to help prevent serious complications.
Watch the video below to learn how fasting influences gallbladder health and gallstone formation.
Causes and risk factors
Gallstone formation is typically linked to a combination of excessive amounts of cholesterol in bile, insufficient bile salt production, and infrequent gallbladder emptying.
Bile is essential for breaking down dietary fats and consists of bile salts, electrolytes, bilirubin, cholesterol, and phospholipids.
When the liver deposits more cholesterol into bile without sufficient bile salts or phospholipids to keep it dissolved, bile can become thick, raising the risk of sludge buildup and gallstone formation.
Factors such as hormonal imbalances, dietary choices, stress, liver dysfunction, sluggish digestion, gut microbial imbalances, rapid weight loss, and certain medications, including birth control and proton pump inhibitors, can disrupt this balance and influence gallbladder function.
In addition, a study published in Frontiers in Medicine reported a strong link between metabolic markers and gallstone risk. It revealed that individuals with gallstones had significantly higher fasting blood glucose to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios than those without gallstones.
The study identified several risk factors associated with gallstone formation, including:
- Female gender
- Older age
- Mexican American, Hispanic, or Caucasian ethnicity
- Hypertension
- High body mass index (BMI)
- Elevated triglyceride levels
- Type 2 diabetes
Additionally, research published in Nature Medicine shows that liver insulin resistance, a marker of poor metabolic health, may be linked to an increased risk of cholesterol gallstones by altering bile composition.2
Insulin resistance may also impair cholecystokinin (CCK) signaling, which is needed to stimulate gallbladder contractions to release bile into the small intestine.
Does fasting cause gallstones?
While fasting can affect gallbladder function, it doesn’t necessarily increase the risk of gallstone formation for everyone.
A study published in Gut found that bile became more saturated with cholesterol after 15 hours of fasting compared to 10 hours, but after 20 hours, saturation levels reverted, indicating that extended fasting may actually help lower gallstone disease risk.3
Interestingly, the women in this study also ate a high-carb meal containing 96 grams of carbohydrates before fasting. This is a significant detail, as the way your body responds to fasting can differ depending on your diet.
High-carb diets raise blood sugar and insulin, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and other metabolic factors linked to gallstone formation.
Research published in BMC Public Health highlights that those following a high-carb diet have a greater risk of gallstones, while individuals consuming higher-fat diets tend to have a lower risk.4
During fasting, especially for people who usually eat a lot of carbs, the body first uses stored glycogen to keep energy and blood sugar levels steady. After that, it starts using fat for energy and slowly moves into a state called ketosis, where fat becomes the main fuel.
This may explain the rise in gallstone risk markers in the early stages of fasting, as the sudden release of body fat into the bloodstream may temporarily increase cholesterol levels and alter bile composition as the body adapts to fat burning.
However, once fat adaptation occurs, ketosis can help promote balanced insulin and blood sugar levels, which are associated with a lower risk of cholesterol gallstones.
This metabolic shift is the primary goal of nutrient-dense, low-carb, high-fat diets such as Healthy Keto®. When fasting is combined with Healthy Keto, the body uses fat more efficiently, which may help reduce stress on the gallbladder and support optimal bile flow.
“Fasting can help your body reset digestive functions, including gallbladder activity, particularly when combined with a diet low in carbohydrates and rich in healthy fats,” Dr. Berg explains.
This is supported by research published in Nature Metabolism, which found that keto diets can increase bile salt levels, which is linked to improved weight and fasting glucose levels.5
Therefore, while shorter fasting periods may temporarily raise gallstone risk markers, especially for those consuming high-carb diets, fasting combined with a nutritious ketogenic approach may help support metabolic health and promote healthy bile composition.
Fasting tips if you’re at risk for gallstones
Several strategies may help support healthy bile flow and promote digestive comfort if you’re at risk for gallstones.
Here are seven natural ways to support gallbladder health.
1. Avoid low-fat, high-carb diets
Bile release is primarily stimulated by the presence of saturated fats in the digestive tract, which explains why low-fat diets can decrease bile production and increase gallstone risk.
Therefore, it’s recommended to incorporate healthy fats, such as grass-fed butter, olive oil, coconut oil, or fatty fish, while keeping carbohydrate intake low to support insulin sensitivity and gallbladder health.
2. Incorporate bile-promoting vegetables
Certain vegetables, such as artichokes, dandelion greens, arugula, mustard greens, okra, and beet tops, can support bile production and digestive health.
Additionally, cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, help support liver function, which is essential for adequate bile production and gallbladder health.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Consuming a diluted apple cider vinegar drink before or with meals can promote optimal stomach acidity, which is needed to trigger gallbladder contractions and bile release during digestion.
4. Use lemon or lime juice
Adding fresh lemon or lime juice to water or meals has been found to stimulate bile production and support healthy digestion.
5. Prioritize gut health
A diverse gut microbiome helps promote bile balance, as gut microbes play a crucial role in recycling bile acids.
To support a healthy gut microbiome, include plenty of probiotic-rich fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir in your diet.
6. Maintain optimal fluid levels
Drink plenty of water during your eating window to help support bile fluidity.
Proper hydration helps prevent bile from becoming too thick or stagnant, which can reduce the risk of gallstone formation and improve overall fat digestion.
7. Manage stress levels
High cortisol, triggered by chronic stress, can negatively impact bile production and gallbladder function.
Physical activity such as walking and light stretching, as well as deep breathing exercises, spending time in nature, and connecting with loved ones can all help reduce stress, supporting a calmer nervous system and healthier digestion.
Key takeaways
Does fasting cause gallstones? While fasting can temporarily slow gallbladder emptying and increase cholesterol levels in bile, gallstone formation is more closely linked to metabolic factors affecting your body’s response to fasting.
To support gallbladder health while fasting, focus on foods that promote bile flow, stay hydrated, and manage stress.
In addition, combining intermittent fasting with a nutrient-dense, low-carb, high-fat diet like Healthy Keto may help promote metabolic health and further support gallbladder function.
FAQ
1. Does fasting cause gallstones?
Gallstone formation is mainly influenced by metabolic health, diet, and lifestyle.
Short-term fasting, especially if combined with high-carb diets, may raise gallstone risk, while fasting alongside a nutritious low-carb, high-fat diet may support metabolic balance and gallbladder function.
2. Is fasting good for gallbladder problems?
Fasting combined with a healthy diet can benefit gallbladder health. Following a nutritious low-carb, high-fat diet such as Healthy Keto® in combination with fasting may support gallbladder function by promoting optimal bile flow and metabolic health.
3. Can fasting trigger gallbladder pain?
Yes, fasting can contribute to gallbladder pain, particularly in those with existing metabolic issues. Pain may arise from gallstone blockages, presenting as sudden abdominal pain radiating up to the right shoulder, nausea, and vomiting.
4. Are gallstones caused by not drinking enough water?
While staying hydrated supports overall digestion and bile flow, gallstone formation is primarily linked to bile composition, cholesterol balance, and metabolic health, rather than hydration alone.
However, chronic dehydration can contribute to thick and sluggish bile, increasing the risk of gallstones.
