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How to use herbal bitters to stimulate bile production for improved liver and gall bladder efficiency and more effective digestion of fats without uncomfortable symptoms.
For those who need a bit of help transitioning off a low-fat diet as the body adjusts to digesting healthy fats again, herbal bitters can help!
An ancestral diet rich in whole, natural fats like cream, butter, and coconut oil is sometimes a shock to the system for those who have avoided these nourishing foods for years, perhaps even decades.
Eating healthy fats might even trigger symptoms of nausea and bloating at first.
The cause is a liver and gallbladder that are not accustomed to producing and storing the amount of bile necessary to digest the proper levels of fat present in a traditional diet.
The solution is not to throw in the towel and go back to a low-fat diet! This is true even for those who have had their gallbladders removed.
In many cases, a slow and steady increase in the quantity of fats consumed will allow the liver and gallbladder to gradually adjust.
This protocol for digesting fats after gallbladder surgery works particularly well for those who are consuming coconut oil as a supplement before meals.
Coconut oil is an effective appetite suppressant for weight loss.
Another helpful strategy is to employ the regular use of herbal bitters, an ancient remedy that modern science has all but forgotten.
Bitters Stimulate Bile
Herbal bitters are extracts of medicinal plants that are rich in minerals. It is a traditional tonic for stimulating the production of bile.
More liver efficiency correspondingly improves the digestion and absorption of fats.
It is critical that sufficient bile is produced to digest the fats present in the diet.
This liver enzyme also permits assimilation of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2. These nutrients are critical to health as noted by researcher Dr. Weston A. Price. These activators synergistically supercharge mineral absorption.
Even those who have had their gallbladders removed find herbal bitters a welcome aid. They provide amazing relief when consuming a meal rich in fats.
People who thought they could not eat much fat ever again are often delighted with the results!
Traditional Asian cultures have long valued herbal bitters not only for their digestive benefit but also for their cleansing properties which promote increased strength and healing.
Most health food stores have herbal bitters available for purchase at very reasonable prices. Â
I suggest considering this brand or this brand if herbal bitters are something you wish to try.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
Please note that most brands of herbal bitters are not appropriate for pregnancy or nursing.
This particular herbal bitters formulation made with chamomile is safe to use.
It is appropriate for the occasional nausea, bloating, and heartburn issues that may occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Some women find it helpful for morning sickness as well.
Gallbladder Cleanse May Be Needed
If despite your best efforts using herbal bitters, you still have a problem digesting fats, you may wish to consider a liver and gallbladder cleanse.
There may be some small gall or liver stones inhibiting the bile flow process.
Once removed, the problem may resolve without supplementation.
Reference
(1) Bitters:Â Revival of a Forgotten Flavor
More Information
Tips for Easy Fat Digestion after Gallbladder Surgery
Nutritional Balancing Basics: Your Missing Link to Restored Health?
Hi Sarah – great post! Thanks for including my post about the liver gallbladder cleanse in yours. I’ve had a lot of people ask about this cleanse, and when followed properly, it truly is one of the best ones I know of to improve gallbladder and overall digestive function. I also know dozens of people here in Boise who have done it and have had great results. Someday I need to try Swedish Bitters, as that is something I have never used. I’ve heard great things about it also.
By the way, I hope you have a great time at the conference this year! I won’t be attending, but hopefully next year! I’ll miss seeing you and everyone else! 🙂
Sarah – sounds like a great topic for a future post! I think that information would be very valuable. The great thing is, there are plenty of smaller topics like this that work very well for short posts that people can really benefit from.
I’m returning with a question…We were really good about fermented foods for awhile, but then started using more of the probiotic beverages like kombucha, tibicos, dairy kefir, etc…I know these help the liver, but do they also help with fat digestion? And if so, if we take a little with each meal, (1/2 C.), would bitters still be needed? Thanks.
You really need bile to digest fats thoroughly. Certainly probiotic foods/drinks will help overall digestion due to the enzymes present too, but bile is the key for fats to be assimilated without discomfort.
I can’t believe I’m reading this article (and sharing on FB) for the second time and just now seeing your response to my first question! GeeZ!!
Anyway, thank you. 🙂
We like to use herbs to aid digestion. We take the turmeric as mentioned as well as cayenne and ginger. Also, we make a digestive tea that includes Peppermint, Chamomile, Fennel Seed, Catnip, Lemon Balm, Ginger, Aloe, and Hibiscus. It is delic too! We love drinking it around here.
Nickole
Juicing also helps stimulate bile production I think. Also supplementing with ox bile.
Here is some advice from Dr Natasha Campbell McBride some may find useful:
“What is your advice for those of us who suffer from nausea after eating moderate amounts of fat with meals? What causes this and what are the immediate and long-term remedies?
Please, read the sections on gallstones and liver. When you are unable to release bile for fat digestion, you may feel nauseous and find it difficult to digest fats. Take ox bile with your meals for a while and introduce fats gradually. Eating fermented vegetables with your meals, particularly at the beginning of your meals will also help.
What liver support would you recommend for GAPS patients? Many patients report struggling with congested / toxic livers adding to digestive problems such as constipation and fat digestion.
Please look at the question on gallstones. GAPS people usually have lots of gallstones blocking the bile ducts. Without good flow of the bile we cannot digest fats. Three measures over time will remove the stones and restore normal bile flow. Juicing is one, particularly apple, celery and green juices. Adding some herbs to your juices will support the liver: fresh dandelion leaves, roots and flowers, burdock leaves and a little ginger root. Coffee enemas are the number two: this procedure makes the liver cleanse itself and flush the toxins out through the bile, removing the stones at the same time. Third – good amounts of fat in every meal: the fat stimulates the bile flow and removes the bile stones on a daily basis. If initially you are unable to digest fat, start from a small amount with every meal and gradually increase: use both animal fats and cold pressed oils. In the initial stages supplementing Ox Bile with every meal will help you to digest fats (you should be able to find supplements of ox bile with some additional digestive enzymes from most multi-supplement companies). There are herbal supplements for liver support on the market containing milk thistle, dandelion, phyllanthus, liquorice, burdock and other herbs. It is important to complete the Introduction Diet first before trying these supplements; it is also very important to find a supplier of good quality organic herbs to make sure that the herbs have not been grown in areas contaminated with lead or other industrial pollution.” from http://gapsdiet.com/FAQs.html
Since eating a high-fat diet, I have either been pregnant or nusing and not able to take bitters. What would everyone recommend? Simply to take the dandelion root tincture, as recommended on another commet?
A tsp of turmeric works wonders for stimulating bile production!
Thanks! I already take turmeric in the mornings with my kefir smoothie.
Thanks for chiming in Annika. I too see folks give up on Traditional Diet sometimes when fat digestion problems present themselves. It is easy to overcome this but the value of bitters has been all but forgotten and we need to remember this wisdom for stimulating our livers to produce bile. Also, bile helps to alkalize the intestines so the benefits of using bitters go far and beyond simple fat digestion which I didn’t even address in the post.
THANK you for this post…I plan to get bitters TODAY. I knew something was out of whack and I think this just might be at least part of the answer. I’m sharing on my Fbook page.
I have clients who have trouble digesting meat and fats since they have been on a low-fat diet for so many years, and these are great recommendations to get people back to eating healthy proteins and fats and be able to absorb them properly. I wish more people understood this and could transition rather than just continue to stay on the low-fat diets they believe are health sustaining and the only choice they have. Thanks for this post!
I was about to ask you that question, because I am having trouble digesting fats. Great post!