Expert: Glen Aukerman, M.D. - 3/22/2009

Question
About a year of so ago,  after some digestive discomfort, basically intermittent constipation, bloating, gas, slight upper right side abdominal pressure.   I has a number of tests done, colonoscopy, GI Series and abdominal ultrasound.  All test came back clear, except the ultrasound, this showed a 5mm sludge ball at the entrance of a duct.  Originally they thought it was a polyp, but since they were able to move it from one end to another they classified it as a sludge ball. My gastroenterologist said I could consider removing my gallbladder if it gave me too many problems.  I had asked about a medication called Actigall, but he said it was not very effective and caused digestive upset, so he did not recommended using it.  Do you agree with this?



Things somewhat improved over time, but have not gone away.  I consulted with a ND a few months ago and he suggested 2 products, Betafood and Cholacol.  I have been using the Betafood faily consistently since and find it may be helpful.  Last week I added the Cholacol to help dissolve the sludge ball, and it seems to help even more,  so far.  I have heard that supplementing bile salts such as Cholacol can cause the body to suppress its own production, subsequently it is best used intermittently, on and off, with varing doses to prevent this.  Some others say this is not needed.  What are your feelings on this, do you feel the Cholacol can help dissolve the sludge ball and if so, what is the proper way to take it.  If you have better suggestions than my current protocol please let me know.  Thank you in advance for your time.


Answer
Yes, each of these can be used for temporary relief at some risks of future gallbladder cancer.

It is unlikely for them to cure you until you get to the real underlying causative problems using a full nutrigenomic functional medicine solution for the following reasons;

Gallstones, sludge balls or sludge itself are created when the diet is too high in refined and process carbohydrates resulting in polymerization of triglycerides in the liver to form these, so the following steps are required to get well and stay well
1) To better understand / reduce the carbohydrate load(to <100/day) in the foods you eat from which the liver makes the sludge ball or stones, see and implement www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/76/1/5.pdf

2) for understanding see www.medicalcenter.osu.edu/go/integrative or e-mail Laura.kunze@osumc.edu or call her at 614-293-9777 to arrange for an educational session and or intake solution

3) watch http://streaming.osu.edu/mediawww/wellness07/060507/060507_files/Default.htm