Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSafetyUnsafe CleansesWhich Cleanse Is Quickest?Liver and Gallbladder Health
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Safety
Unsafe Cleanses
Which Cleanse Is Quickest?
Liver and Gallbladder Health
Gallbladder“cleanses” or “flushes” are marketed as natural ways to get rid of gallbladder sludge orgallstones, which form when bile substances, like cholesterol, harden.These “gallstone flushes,” often advertised online, may include oil and lemon juice, Epsom salts, juices, apple cider vinegar (ACV), or supplements.
Although lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, can help prevent gallstones, there is a lack of scientific evidence that gallbladder cleanses or flushes are effective. Some may even pose health risks.
Natalia Gdovskaia / Getty Images
Gallbladder Cleanse: Claims and Effectiveness
Detoxes and cleansesare advertised as ways to rid the body of toxins, lose weight, or promote health. Gallbladder cleanses claim toremove gallbladder sludgeor build-up in the gallbladder that can cause gallstones or gallbladder attacks.
However, the body has natural processes and mechanisms to eliminate toxins. Advertised cleanses may include diets, regimens, and supplements, but these approaches often lack data supporting their efficacy. In some cases, they can be unsafe.
What Is Gallbladder Sludge?Gallbladder sludgecomprises cholesterol monohydrate crystals, calcium bilirubinate granules, and other calcium salts.The buildup results from bile sitting in the gallbladder for too long and often occurs in pregnant people or those who have experienced rapid weight loss.
What Is Gallbladder Sludge?
Gallbladder sludgecomprises cholesterol monohydrate crystals, calcium bilirubinate granules, and other calcium salts.The buildup results from bile sitting in the gallbladder for too long and often occurs in pregnant people or those who have experienced rapid weight loss.
Gallblader Cleanse Recipes
Often, individuals seek nutritional supplements, herbal medications, or “flushes” to treat gallstones. Popular gallstone flushes and recipes include the following:
Despite the popularity of these cleanses, there’s little research to suggest their effectiveness in “cleansing” the gallbladder.
People following gallstone cleanse are likely to get their information from the Internet. One study evaluating online content regarding gallbladder disease found that 56% of videos on YouTube were misleading.
The “gallstone flush,” using the olive oil and lemon juice cleanse, is one of the most popular treatment methods discussed on YouTube.Despite their popularity, such cleanses lack scientific evidence that such cleanses can treat gallstones.
Potentially Unsafe Gallbladder Cleanses
Extreme cleanses can pose a risk to your overall health. In one case study, a man drank Epsom salts dissolved in lukewarm water for 15 days to flush out gallstones. The overuse of Epsom salts has potential adverse health effects, including:
Use supplements that promise to eliminate gallstones with caution. Many dietary supplements contain ingredients with strong effects that may interact with an existing medical condition or medication.
Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated as medications in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve them for safety or effectiveness before being sold to the public.
Which Gallbladder Cleanse Works the Quickest?
The evidence supporting gallbladder cleanses is lacking. Long-term lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity and ahealthy diet, can help prevent and reduce your risk of gallstones. Dietary habits that support your gallbladder health include:
Besides Cleanses, What Supports Liver and Gallbladder Health?
Gallstones are common and affect 10%–15% of the U.S. population.There are ways to support liver and gallbladder health.
Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of developing gallstones. Both going for long periods without eating and losing weight too quickly cause the liver to release extra cholesterol into the bile. Additionally, quick weight loss can stop the gallbladder from emptying. Losing and regaining weight (weight cycling) can increase the risk of gallstones.
To prevent gallstones, healthcare providers recommend long-term changes, including:
Gallstones May Be AsymptomaticGallstones can be asymptomatic (without symptoms). However, the following symptoms can be signs of a gallstone attack requiring immediate medical attention:PainCrampsNausea and vomiting
Gallstones May Be Asymptomatic
Gallstones can be asymptomatic (without symptoms). However, the following symptoms can be signs of a gallstone attack requiring immediate medical attention:PainCrampsNausea and vomiting
Gallstones can be asymptomatic (without symptoms). However, the following symptoms can be signs of a gallstone attack requiring immediate medical attention:
Many people seek complementary and integrative approaches to treating gallstones. Although more scientific evidence is needed, supplements to treat gallstones may include the following:
Gallbladder Trigger FoodsCertain foods may increase the risk of gallbladder sludge and gallstones, including:Fried foodsFatty foods, especially saturated fatWhole milk dairy productsSugary foods and refined carbohydrates
Gallbladder Trigger Foods
Certain foods may increase the risk of gallbladder sludge and gallstones, including:Fried foodsFatty foods, especially saturated fatWhole milk dairy productsSugary foods and refined carbohydrates
Certain foods may increase the risk of gallbladder sludge and gallstones, including:
Summary
There is little evidence to support the use of gallbladder cleanses or flushes. Some flushes may have adverse health effects. Individuals experiencing pain, nausea, vomiting, or cramping due to gallstones should see a healthcare provider immediately for proper treatment.
Healthy lifestyle changes, including physical activity and a healthy eating pattern, can reduce the risk of developing gallstones.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Gallstones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Gallstones.
Lee JS, Seo HS, Hong TH.YouTube as a source of patient information on gallstone disease.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(14):4066-4070. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i14.4066
Philips CA, Paramaguru R, Mahadevan P, Augustine P.Severe liver injury due to Epsom salt naturopathy.BMJ Case Rep. 2017;2017:bcr2017221718. doi:10.1136/bcr-2017-221718
National Center for Complementary Health.“Detoxes” and “cleanses”: What you need to know.
Wang HH, Portincasa P, Liu M, Tso P, Wang DQ.Similarities and differences between biliary sludge and microlithiasis: Their clinical and pathophysiological significances.Liver Res. 2018;2(4):186-199. doi:10.1016/j.livres.2018.10.001
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cholecystitis.
Hashmi MA, Khan A, Hanif M, Farooq U, & Perveen S.Traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of olea europaea (Olive).Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: ECAM, 2015, 541591. doi: 10.1155/2015/541591
Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Najafgholizadeh A, Clark CCT, Esmaillzadeh A.The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03351-w
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Dietary supplements.
US Food & Drug Administration.FDA 101: Dietary supplements.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Eating, diet, & nutrition for gallstones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition & facts for gallstones.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Dieting and gallstones.
Portincasa P, Di Ciaula A, Grattagliano I.Preventing a mass disease: The case of gallstones disease: Role and competence for family physicians.Korean J Fam Med. 2016;37(4):205-213. doi:10.4082/kjfm.2016.37.4.205
Waniek S, di Giuseppe R, Esatbeyoglu T, et al.Association of circulating vitamin E (α- and γ-Tocopherol) levels with gallstone disease.Nutrients. 2018;10(2):133. doi:10.3390/nu10020133
Krause and Mahan’s food and the nutrition care process (15th edition). Elsevier.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
