GALL BLADER HOW IS FORMED

Why do Gallstones Form?

The research indicates that 80-90% of all gallstones are cholesterol gallstones.  They form in the gallbladder because the liver begins secreting bile that is unusually saturated with cholesterol (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 1985:44).     The cholesterol then crystallizes to form stones while in storage in the gallbladder or cystic duct.  The specific mechanisms in the body which cause the bile to reach these high cholesterol levels are not entirely known.   However, the liver appears to play a large part in this process since it is the source for making bile from which gallstones form.  Other evidence, which we'll discuss later, shows that stones can form because the amount of bile acids and bile lecithin are low.  Bile acids and lecithin act as an emulsifier in the bile within the gallbladder.  Therefore, any inefficiency in this emulsifying process would accelerate the formation of stones.  Upon understanding this, to correct the problem without surgery would suggest we need to find a way to make the liver operate more efficiently so it can produce bile that is less concentrated with cholesterol and more concentrated with the emulsifying bile acids and lecithin.