by Editorial Staff and Contributors
The following behaviors may help to manage gallstones:
Maintaining a healthful weight is a key to lowering your risk of future gallstones. If you are overweight, a slow loss of weight is advised because fasting and extreme dieting can lead to gallstones. Ask your doctor for a weight loss plan that will be safe and effective for you. You may also want to ask for a referral to a registered dietitian, who can help you with a weight loss program.
Regular, vigorous exercise may reduce the risk of gallstones. In addition to controlling weight, exercise normalizes blood sugar and insulin levels. When these levels are abnormal, they may contribute to the development of gallstones.
Gallstones. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114033/Gallstones . Updated July 22, 2016. Accessed September 1, 2017.
Gallstones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digesrive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones. Updated November 2013. Accessed September 1, 2017.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael Woods, MD, FAAP