Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (218 page)
Read Gillian McKeith's Food Bible Online
Authors: Gillian McKeith
EXTRA TIPS
Apply a comfrey poultice daily for three hours to speed healing. Mash some fresh or dried comfrey leaves with apple cider vinegar to form a paste. Spread a thick layer of the mash on the wound and hold it in place with a cotton cloth. The poultice can also be applied at bedtime and left on overnight.
Do regular, weight-bearing exercise. Exercise is one of the best ways of building strong bones and preventing fractures. It is also necessary after healing has taken place to rebuild bone and muscle strength.
GALLBLADDER REMOVAL (CHOLECYSTECTOMY)
The gallbladder receives bile from the liver. Its main role is to concentrate the bile and to secrete it into the digestive tract when food is eaten to aid the digestion of fats. Once the gallbladder is removed, a continuous trickle of unconcentrated bile from the liver goes directly into the small intestine. So, difficulties with fat digestion are not uncommon. Bile also acts as a natural laxative, so changes in bowel habits may also result after surgery. Bloating and abdominal discomfort are not uncommon. This may be due to the constant trickle of bile into the intestines or from postsurgical adhesions or intra-abdominal scars.
Action plan
To support the liver and digestive system after gallbladder removal.
EAT/DRINK
High-fiber foods such as whole grains and pulses. Fiber is needed to remove toxins and excess cholesterol from the body and to keep the bowels healthy.
Fresh fruits and vegetables. These are easy to digest and packed full of nutrients needed for healthy liver function. Apples are particularly useful for their pectin content. Pectin is a soluble fiber that can remove excess cholesterol and can slow transit time where diarrhea is present.
Freshly pressed organic vegetable juices. Include carrot, beet, celery, and apple juices, which are especially rich in the nutrients needed for healing after surgery and will not tax the digestive system or liver.
Beets, which are great for the liver. Combine them with a mixture of lemon juice and flax seed or hemp seed oils.
Artichokes, which contain cynarine, which has liver-regenerating properties.
AVOID
Saturated fats from margarines, chips, pastries, fatty meats, and dairy products.
Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and refined carbohydrates, as these all put an extra strain on the liver and can irritate the digestive tract.
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Drink dandelion coffee, which can support liver function and has a slight laxative effect and can be helpful if the bowels become sluggish after surgery.
Drink nettle tea, which is great for cleansing and toning the bowel.
Add turmeric to casseroles at the end of cooking, as it has excellent liver cleansing and healing properties.
Take a digestive enzyme containing lipase. Lipase is the enzyme that breaks down fat.