Why Your Gallbladder Actually Matters (A Lot More Than You Were Told)
“It’s not essential.”
That’s what many people are told when gallbladder issues arise. But is it true? Let’s take a deeper look.
You may have been told your gallbladder is a disposable organ. That if it's causing problems, the best solution is to remove it—and you'll be just fine without it.
But here's the truth from a functional health perspective:
Your gallbladder matters. A lot.
What Does the Gallbladder Actually Do?
Your gallbladder is a small pouch that stores and concentrates bile, which is produced by your liver. Bile is released when you eat—especially when you eat fats.
Its job?
Break down and emulsify fats so you can absorb them
Support absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
Bind and eliminate toxins and excess hormones (like estrogen)
Help keep your gut microbiome in balance by moving things along
Without bile, you don’t absorb nutrients well.
Without bile, you don’t detox well.
Without bile flow, you’re more prone to constipation, bloating, hormone imbalance, and even skin issues.
But My Doctor Said It’s Not Needed?
From a surgical perspective, you can survive without a gallbladder. But surviving isn’t the same as thriving.
Once it’s removed, bile trickles constantly from the liver instead of being stored and released strategically. That means digestion—especially of fats—is compromised. Many people are left with symptoms like:
Bloating and gas (especially after meals)
Diarrhea or constipation
Nutrient deficiencies
Hormonal imbalance (hello, estrogen dominance)
Dry skin, brittle hair, brain fog, fatigue
A Functional Lens: What We Look For Instead
As a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, I don't just look at symptoms—I look at what’s underneath.
Before jumping to surgery, we ask:
Is your bile too thick (sludgy)?
Are you magnesium or choline deficient?
Is there low stomach acid slowing digestion upstream?
Are your hormones or stress levels impacting bile flow?
Do you need bitter foods or targeted supplements to get things flowing again?
Gallbladder issues are often a sign of deeper imbalances, not just a problem with the organ itself.
What If You’ve Already Had It Removed?
It’s OK. You can still support your body. But you may need extra help with:
Ox bile or bile salts to support fat digestion
Bitters or enzymes before meals
Targeted nutrients like phosphatidylcholine, taurine, and magnesium
Monitoring your vitamin D, E, A, and K levels
And we always want to support the liver, which still produces bile and needs to be optimized for healthy digestion and detox.
The Takeaway?
Your gallbladder isn't a useless organ.
It plays a crucial role in digestion, detoxification, and hormonal balance.
In functional nutrition, we believe in supporting the body’s design, not bypassing it when it gets inconvenient. If your gallbladder is struggling, let’s ask why, and support it naturally when possible.
Because your body was designed to work—beautifully.
Want to dig deeper into gallbladder health or support yours naturally? Check out my Fix Your Hormones Program, it’s a great place to start. 💛
