Diet and risk of gallstone disease

Subheading: the link between low-calorie regimens and gallbladder stone formation

A study conducted by scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has highlighted that people following low-calorie diets put themselves at an increased risk of developing gallstone disease. As part of a year-long weight loss program, the scientists followed 6,640 participants divided into two groups.

The first group went on an extremely low-calorie diet every 6 out of 10 days for three months, restricting themselves to just 500 calories, while the second group followed a 1200-1500 calorie diet.

For the next 9 months, participants in both groups followed a nutritionist-designed diet and exercised regularly. At the end of the study, participants in the first group had lost an average weight of 11 kg, while the second group had lost 8 kg. However, the first group recorded 48 cases of gallstone disease, while the second group had 14 cases. In addition, 38 participants in the first group required cholecystectomy.

Experts suggest that rapid weight loss through extreme diets affects gallbladder emptying, salt and cholesterol content in bile, which in turn stimulates stone formation.