A gallbladder flush is a 24 hour purge that may help your gallbladder eliminate stones or the crystallized liquid that can eventually turn into stones. But is it good for you and does it really work?
The gallbladder is a small organ that looks like a pear-shaped sac. It's function is to store bile from the liver, and eventually release it into the duodenum (part of the small intestine).
This process should happen on a regular basis. Due to poor diet, stress, and other environmental factors, the bile may not leave as promptly as it should.
The result is that th bile that sits in the gallbladder and may even back up enough to cause the liver to not eliminate bile as fully as it should.
As the liquid doesn't move, it become thicker and may eventually crystallize.
Once this process begins, it is only a matter of time before some of the crystals become large enough to actually block a bile duct and cause problems as the body attempts to remove it.
Unfortunately stagnant bile lying dormant in these organs is not considered a problem, yet. Health issues arise (are diagnosed) only after the stones develop into larger stones. These may then become lodged in the tubes (bile ducts) that travel from either the liver to the gallbladder, or the gallbladder to the small intestine for removing. When one gets to this point it can be very painful and frightening, often requiring a trip to the emergency room.
A gallbladder flush is, for some, a preventative measure to ensure any crystallized bile is moved out before it causes health issues.
This type of program is often called a "cleanse," (like gallbladder cleanse), but it is really a purge. The difference is that in a cleanse, you eat right and may take supplements to help your body or organs cleanse itself of built up waste.
A purge, on the other hand, is more forceful with an intent to help the organ in question eliminate built up waste or residue.
So now we get to it....
A gallbladder flush is a 24 hour purge in which you fast, then take a drink. The most common drink is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and either Epsom salts or coke (yup; the soda pop).
This is drank at night right before bed, then in the morning a laxative is taken so the person eliminates waste, some of which may be gallstones.
"Are gallstones really being eliminated" seems to be the question of the day. In my experience with myself and many, many clients who have done it, it seems the answer is yes. I guess it's something to experience to be believed.
So is it or not? Let's try applying common sense for this. First of all, olive oil can not biologically turn to stones before being eliminated from the body. If you leave olive oil in a cool pantry or heat it up to 98.6 degrees, it remains a liquid.
This little tidbit of info is for the skeptics who think the only
substance being eliminated is congealed olive oil.
On the other hand, some people don't eliminate "stones" during this flush; and there may be a number of reasons. One is that it is possible your body isn't strong enough to react with force enough to purge any stones.
Another reason may be that the particles are sand-like, therefore one cannot see them once they are eliminated.
Some say stones couldn't fit through these ducts because they are too large and the ducts are too small. But, in fact, this is why people do the flush; to help soften or dissolve the stones and to give the body strength to eliminate them.
Author's Note
There is a side of caution, however. I believe it is a good idea to not do this type of flush until you've done a general colon cleanse first. This will ensure you're body is strong enough.
Also, don't do this too often; this flush can be very depleting on your body's natural balance of electrolytes and other vital nutrients. So be sure pay attention to your body and good luck!
Next Up; How to do a Gallbladder Cleanse