Gallstones Treatment: Natural Options, Bile Salts & When Surgery Is Needed

Written By Ayiesha Malik

Have you been told you need your gallbladder removed?
Before rushing into surgery, it is important to understand why gallstones form and whether natural treatment for gallstones may help in your case.

Dr Ayiesha Malik is a UK medical doctor who combines conventional medicine, functional medicine, homeopathy and mind-body healing to provide a safe, root-cause approach to gallstones. Where surgery is necessary, she also supports patients before and after the procedure to optimise digestion and long-term health.

This article explains:

  • What causes gallstones

  • The role of bile salts

  • Whether TUDCA helps

  • The gut microbiome connection

  • Parasites and gallstones

  • Diet changes (including fibre and coffee)

  • Top homeopathic remedies

  • Side effects of gallbladder removal

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder — the organ that stores bile produced by the liver.

Bile is essential for:

  • Digesting fats

  • Absorbing vitamins A, D, E and K

  • Eliminating cholesterol

  • Supporting detoxification

Most gallstones in the UK are cholesterol stones, formed when bile becomes chemically imbalanced.

Why Do Gallstones Form?

Gallstones develop when bile becomes supersaturated with cholesterol and cannot keep it dissolved.

Functional drivers include:

  • Low or poorly balanced bile salts

  • Insulin resistance

  • Oestrogen dominance

  • Rapid weight loss

  • Gut microbiome imbalance

  • Chronic stress

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Dehydration

Rather than asking only “How do we remove the stones?”, functional medicine asks:

Why did the bile become imbalanced in the first place?

The Critical Role of Bile Salts

Bile salts are derived from cholesterol in the liver and are essential for:

  • Keeping cholesterol dissolved

  • Preventing crystal formation

  • Supporting fat digestion

  • Regulating gut bacteria

  • Assisting toxin elimination

If bile salts are insufficient or not recycled efficiently through the gut-liver axis, cholesterol can crystallise and form stones.

Optimising bile salt metabolism is central to a functional approach.

TUDCA & Bile Acid Therapy

TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is a bile acid studied for:

  • Improving bile flow

  • Reducing cholestasis

  • Supporting liver cell health

  • Reducing inflammation

In conventional medicine, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) may be prescribed to dissolve small cholesterol stones.

However:

  • It works slowly and only for certain stones

  • It does not reliably dissolve large stones

  • It is not suitable during obstruction or infection

TUDCA may support bile fluidity in selected cases but should always be medically supervised.

Can Parasites Cause Gallstones?

In the UK, gallstones are usually metabolic in origin. However, in certain regions, liver flukes such as:

  • Clonorchis sinensis

  • Opisthorchis viverrini

can infect bile ducts and increase the risk of pigment stone formation through chronic inflammation.

Reference:
Keiser J, Utzinger J. Food-borne trematodiases. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2009;22(3):466–483.

Parasitic causes are rare in the UK but may be considered in patients with relevant travel history.

Natural Treatment for Gallstones: Diet & Lifestyle

1. Eat Regularly (Without Overeating)

Skipping meals can cause bile stagnation.
Overeating can trigger painful contractions.

Aim for:

  • Regular meals

  • Moderate portions

  • Slow, mindful eating

  • Avoiding heavy late-night meals

2. Include Healthy Fats in Moderation

Small amounts stimulate bile flow:

  • Extra virgin olive oil

  • Oily fish

  • Avocado

  • Nuts and seeds

Avoid fried and heavily processed fats.

3. Increase Fibre Intake (Gradually)

Increasing dietary fibre can help improve gallstone symptoms and reduce risk of further stone formation.

Fibre:

  • Binds excess cholesterol

  • Supports healthy bowel movements

  • Improves insulin sensitivity

  • Enhances bile acid metabolism

Particularly helpful sources include:

  • Oats

  • Flaxseed

  • Lentils

  • Leafy greens

  • Cruciferous vegetables

Increase fibre gradually and alongside adequate hydration to avoid bloating.

4. Brussels Sprouts & Cruciferous Vegetables

4

Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables support:

  • Liver detoxification pathways

  • Oestrogen metabolism

  • Sulphur enzyme systems

  • Bile acid binding

They are powerful allies in improving bile chemistry and metabolic balance.

5. Can Coffee Help Gallstones?

Moderate coffee consumption has been associated in research with a reduced risk of gallstone formation.

Coffee may:

  • Stimulate gallbladder contraction

  • Improve bile flow

  • Support liver enzyme activity

For some individuals, 1–2 cups of quality coffee daily may support bile movement.

However:

  • It may not suit everyone

  • It should be avoided if it worsens reflux or anxiety

  • It is not a substitute for comprehensive care

6. Hydration & Movement

Dehydration thickens bile.

Sedentary lifestyle increases gallstone risk.

Supportive habits include:

  • Adequate daily water intake

  • Brisk walking

  • Gentle yoga (especially twisting poses)

  • Diaphragmatic breathing

Movement improves insulin sensitivity and digestive motility.

Top 3 Homeopathic Remedies for Gallstones

Homeopathy is individualised, but three commonly used remedies include:

Chelidonium majus

  • Right-sided abdominal pain

  • Pain radiating to right shoulder blade

  • Sluggish digestion

Lycopodium

  • Bloating after eating

  • Right-sided discomfort

  • Sensitivity to rich foods

Nux vomica

  • Stress-related digestive upset

  • Irritability

  • Symptoms linked to overindulgence

Homeopathy aims to support regulatory balance rather than mechanically dissolve stones and needs to be taken under the supervision of a homeopath.

Gallbladder Removal: When Surgery Is Needed

Surgery may be required if there is:

  • Recurrent severe pain

  • Infection

  • Pancreatitis

  • Obstruction

Potential side effects can include:

  • Bile acid diarrhoea

  • Fat malabsorption

  • Bloating

  • Reflux

  • Microbiome changes

  • Post-cholecystectomy syndrome

Even If You Have Your Gallbladder Removed…

It is still highly beneficial to work with Dr Ayiesha Malik after surgery to:

  • Support bile flow without a gallbladder

  • Improve fat digestion

  • Optimise microbiome balance

  • Reduce ongoing digestive symptoms

  • Address underlying metabolic drivers

Surgery removes the organ — but not necessarily the root cause.

Book a Functional Medicine Consultation

If you are seeking gallstones treatment in the UK or wish to explore natural treatment for gallstones before surgery, Dr Ayiesha Malik offers medically supervised, integrative care.

Even after gallbladder removal, functional medicine and mind-body support can significantly improve digestive health and overall wellbeing.

Visit www.drayieshamalik.com to learn more or book a consultation.

There is always a proactive step you can take toward restoring balance.

Ayiesha Malik
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