The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver that stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid needed to break down dietary fats. Cholesterol is a natural component of bile, but when blood cholesterol levels are too high, it can overload the bile, causing a host of digestive disorders and even pain and complications if not detected early.
About 80% of gallstones are formed due to high levels of cholesterol, a type of fat that is synthesized by the liver and used by your body to build healthy cells and produce hormones and vitamins. When cholesterol levels are high or too saturated, cholesterol crystals begin to form, which can clump together to form gallstones. Gallstones can interfere with fat digestion and cause infection and inflammation of the gallbladder.
Women are at higher risk of developing gallstones due to the presence of estrogen, a female hormone that can increase cholesterol levels in bile. Obesity is another risk factor for gallstone formation, especially in women because fatty tissue affects the body’s production of estrogen.
High cholesterol affect the gallbladder
1. Gallstone formation
The most prominent negative effect that high cholesterol has on the gallbladder is gallstones, small solid masses that form from crystallized cholesterol in bile. Under normal conditions, bile contains enough bile acids to dissolve cholesterol. But when the level of cholesterol in bile exceeds the tolerance threshold, it begins to form solid crystals, which gradually develop into gallstones.
Gallstones can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a marble, and are often asymptomatic until they block the bile duct, causing severe pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, or vomiting, especially after a fatty meal.
2. Obstructing fat digestion
High cholesterol not only increases the risk of gallstones, but also affects the quality of bile. When the cholesterol content of bile is higher than normal, the process of emulsifying fats in food becomes less effective. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, or foul-smelling, greasy stools, which are signs that fats are not being digested properly.
3. Cholecystitis and other complications
If gallstones cause a prolonged blockage, bile stagnates, which can cause acute cholecystitis, a dangerous condition with symptoms of severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and requires immediate medical treatment.
In some more severe cases, untreated cholecystitis can lead to gallbladder necrosis or widespread infection, which is life-threatening. All of these complications stem silently from the cholesterol imbalance in the body.
What are the common signs?
High cholesterol doesn’t cause immediate pain, but you may notice a few of the following signs:
- Dull or cramping pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods
- Feeling nauseous, loss of appetite
- Fullness, constant belching, poor digestion
- Jaundice or yellow eyes (in case of bile duct obstruction)
- Fever or chills if there is inflammation
Cholesterol control strategies to protect the gallbladder
1. Prioritize a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat
Instead of consuming fried foods, processed foods or fatty red meat, prioritize vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, beans and vegetable oils. Small but regular changes will help lower cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of gallstones forming.
2. Eat on time, don’t skip meals
The gallbladder secretes bile according to the digestive cycle. If you skip meals regularly, bile stagnates and cholesterol can crystallize more easily. Eat regularly, on time, especially do not let your stomach be empty for too long.
3. Maintain a stable weight
Losing weight too quickly, or following a strict diet can also increase the risk of gallstones. So if you need to lose weight, do it slowly, with the support of a nutritionist or doctor.
4. Exercise regularly
Physical activity not only helps control cholesterol but also promotes regular gallbladder peristalsis, preventing bile stasis and stone formation.
