Gallbladder Flush
The Gallbladder Flush Protocol
The Gallbladder is a small organ whose primary function is to store and concentrate bile. Bile is continuously produced in the liver as part of ongoing detoxification processes.
Although bile is a byproduct of detoxification, it also has a very significant role in the breakdown of fats. It is a major controller of digestion through its influence on the microbiome, digestive enzyme production and gut movements. Bile also has anti-microbial properties with a significant effect on gut immunity.
The nature of bile and its exact composition is variable between individuals. Some people make bile that tends to precipitate and crystallise, which makes them more prone to form stones both in the liver and the gallbladder.
Bile flow as a Measure of Gallbladder Health
Generally, the better the bile flows from the liver to the gallbladder, and from the gallbladder to the duodenum (where it enters the digestive tract), the less likely that it will form stones.
Gallstones are more problematic than liver stones because the gallbladder releases through a bottleneck structure where any stone (forming as part of the natural process of bile concentration), if allowed to become bigger and/or denser due to poor flow of bile, can become stuck.
When the gallbladder can no longer contract enough to pass a stone it goes into a painful spasm which is referred to as “gallbladder attack”, and this can sometimes become medically critical owing to blockage and the backing-up of bile in the liver.
Because bile is formed in the liver, bile quality is mostly linked to the health of the liver. Bile flow and/or stagnation are controlled by several factors which tend to worsen if left unchecked, for example:
- Low fat diets which reduce gallbladder emptying owing to the limited requirement for bile
- A fatty liver that has lost its flexibility and suppleness through engorgement with fat
- Factors that contribute to a fatty liver include fructose, alcohol, chronically elevated cortisol (chronic stress) and hydrocortisone medication
- Excess oestrogen which influences the composition of bile towards stone formation and slows down gallbladder emptying, which in turn contributes to poor oestrogen detoxification and a vicious cycle of oestrogen dominance may emerge
- Rapid weight loss
- Emotional stress, frustration, anger and resentment which are emotions associated with liver and gallbladder stagnation and the buildup of bile.
Posture, movement and breathing (diaphragmatic) all influence the amount of massaging and physical stimulation our abdominal organs receive, especially the liver and gallbladder, thus supporting bile flow.
When to flush
A Gallbladder Flush can be done on its own or as part of a longer cleanse. For instance it can be done at the end of a month of a liver detox protocol, or as part of a 3 or 5 day juice fast.
A Gallbladder Flush is an effective way of expelling stagnant bile from the liver and gallbladder. It encourages strong contractions from the gallbladder thus keeping the gallbladder active and strong and this helps to reduce stone formation.
The Gallbladder Flush is recommended to:
- detoxify excess oestrogen and xenoestrogen
- improve cholesterol detoxification
- prevent gallstones forming
- improve liver congestion and function
- reduce symptoms of bloating and improve digestion
- help manage constipation
- support emotional work, especially the letting go of resentment and/or anger
If you are looking to naturally flush gallstones this flush can be helpful, but be prepared to undertake a series of flushes. It is not uncommon to require 10 to 15 flushes before the visible evidence of gallstones being released from the bowel is no longer present.
The Flush
Gallbladder flushing can feel daunting, and you may be advised to prepare your liver and gallbladder with herbs, supplements and dietary changes for a few weeks beforehand. I have extensive experience of guiding and supporting people through their Gallbladder Flush, ensuring that the experience is positive and safe.
The flush itself uses a strict schedule of Epsom salts, oil and grapefruit mix and can be seen here.
A Gallbladder Flush is a safe procedure done at home, which is significantly enhanced and made more comfortable by the addition of Colonic Hydrotherapy treatments in our clinic.
The Gallbladder Flush proper lasts about 24 hours, and the procedure takes 2 days from start to finish. The protocol starts with a Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment to prepare the bowel for the flush and finishes with another Colonic Hydrotherapy treatment to clear the bowel of the bile (and sometimes the stones) that are expelled during the flush; these should not be left to stagnate in the bowel as they can be quite toxic and harsh to the bowel tissues.
The Programme includes:
- Two Colonic Hydrotherapy treatments on either side of the flush
- An additional treatment within a month of the flush including a coffee enema (either before or after depending on individual preparation requirements)
- Nutritional recommendations and educational material with easy-to-follow step by step instructions
- Epsom salts and electrolytes required for the flush.