Gallbladder Flush and Liver Detox Protocol
Being a health conscious carnivore we know the vital role healthy organs play in our overall well-being. Our hearts, brains, and lungs are the organs we hear most about in terms of keeping healthy with cardiovascular and neurological diseases on the rise. But today I would like to focus on two often overlooked vital organs for optimal health, our gallbladder and liver.
If you had the experience of increasing your fat to the optimal 75% carnivore ratio and had an intense feeling of nausea post meal, then you have been introduced to your gallbladder. Even though many people think of the gallbladder as an optional organ and have it surgically removed, it is important and plays a vital role in our bodies.
The Gallbladder and Its Functions
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located under your liver on the right side of your body. Its role is to store and release bile. Bile is the fluid that your liver produces to digest, you guessed it, fats.
The gallbladder is considered a part of your digestive tract; its primary role is to store and release bile to aid in the digestion of fats. Bile is produced in the liver and is made up of cholesterol, bilirubin, and bile salts.
Your gallbladder doesn’t act alone. Like all components of our bodies, it is intimately connected to other organs and needed for our bodies to function properly.
The gallbladder is connected to all the other parts of our digestive tract through a series of interconnected vessels called the biliary tract. This tract connects the liver to the gallbladder and the gallbladder to the small intestine.
The gallbladder stores bile, and sits there waiting when you are not eating (or even limiting fat).
When you begin to eat, the gallbladder signals that it is time to release bile to aid digestion. The bile travels in the biliary tract to the first part of your small intestine, which begins to mix with food to aid digestion. After you complete your meal, the gallbladder sits empty and begins to fill again, awaiting your next meal.
The main reason why people have their gallbladders removed is because of a lifetime of poor diet. If we eat a lot of industrial seed oils, especially in fast food, we are actively harming our gallbladders. Industrial seed oils are vegetable cooking oils like sunflower, canola, or soybean oil.
If we have spent our time eating greasy, heavily processed foods, we can develop gallstones, the number reason for gallbladder removal surgery.
Gallstones are tiny pebble-like growths made up of bile materials that collect in the bile ducts. The little stones eventually can block the bile ducts and cause issues. The stones are quite small and can range from a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball!
Gallstones are considered “harmless” but can result in increased inflammation, pain, and nausea.
Symptoms of Poor Functioning Gallbladder
A lot of people are not even aware that they have gallstones. Here is a list of symptoms you might experience if you suspect this might be the case for you:
- Chills
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Light brown pee
- Pain after eating a fatty meal
- Upper right or mid-abdomen pain
If you suspect you have gallstones and seek out your medical professional, they may want to do surgery and remove your gallbladder. Luckily, another natural option is to allow the body to release the gallstones and keep your wonderful gallbladder.
The way to remove gallstones from your gallbladder is called a Gallbladder Flush. Many people have performed the flush with great success and are much happier for it. The flush takes about a week and should only be done once a year. Some people do it more often but always work with a qualified professional.
Once you have completed the flush, to be supremely kind to your gallbladder, we suggest switching to a healthy meat-based diet to reduce the possibility of generating more gallstones.
The Liver and Its Functions
An additional benefit of a gallbladder flush, you inadvertently detoxify your liver.
The liver is located in the upper right of your abdomen above your gallbladder. The function of our liver is to regulate most of the chemicals in our blood and excrete bile. The liver is considered our detoxifying organ as it works hard to reduce the body’s toxic load and keep us healthy.
Scientists have discovered that our liver performs over 500 vital functions in our bodies. These functions include things like:
- Clearing the blood of drugs and poisons
- Converting glucose into glycogen
- Converting ammonia to urea
- Producing bile
- Producing cholesterol
- Regulating blood clotting
- Resisting infections
Our livers can take quite a bit of abuse, but because our world is becoming increasingly toxic, we may need to start paying attention even closer to our liver health.
Many people who come to Nutrition with Judy and take the Symptom Burden Assessment show that they have liver congestion and toxicity.
This can be due to a lack of essential fatty acids (fatty fish), eating mainly processed foods, heating food up in plastic, drinking from plastic bottles, and using poor-ingredient personal care.
We recommend eating about 3 to 4 servings of fatty fish weekly. If you want to read more about personal care, you can read more here.
Here are some things we can do that can support our liver:
- Avoid seed oils
- Daily milk thistle tea
- Drinking lots of pure water
- Eating only unprocessed foods
- Morning lemon water
- Moving your body
- Not drinking alcohol
- Sleeping for 8 hours every night
Gallbladder Flush Recipe
The original recipe for the gallbladder flush comes from the book, “The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush,” written by Andreas Moritz, which calls for at least three gallons of apple juice.
Yikes! That’s a lot of sugar.
If you are mindful of your sugar intake, below you’ll find a gallbladder flush recipe that is low-carb friendly. This liver and gallbladder flush utilizes malic acid supplements instead of apple juice.
Malic acid is the component in apple juice that makes it so effective at loosening and softening gallstones.
Judy recommends this brand of Malic Acid as there are no added ingredients, additives or fillers. The malic acid supplements are a critical step in the gallbladder flush as they will loosen and soften the stones, making them easier to pass.
The Gallbladder Flush
*Updated Disclaimer (from Judy): This protocol has been shared solely because of the ravings from our clients. There are some people that may not tolerate this flush, especially if there gallbladder and liver need support. Always work with a professional. I do not recommend this flush if you have serious illness with the liver or gallbladder.
Our first recommendation with most liver/gallbladder imbalances is a meat-focused diet (with added salmon) with considerations of ox bile and digestive enzymes. We then slowly try to increase the fat levels in the diet. If our clients need detox supports, we would consider supports like NAC and liver supports (such as milk thistle products). We also make sure to support the lymphs to ensure proper drainage.
Only after these supports, do we then consider the gallbladder flush, not necessarily because the “science” proves it but because many of our clients swear by it. I will be more thoughtful when I share protocols in the future. From the feedback I’ve seen, my ultimate recommendation would be to only try this when you are healing, and only once a year.
I will share all thoughts and concerns in the comments section, so you can make a better informed decision.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Malic Acid Supplements
- Food-Grade Epsom Salt
- Drinkable Water
- Olive Oil
- Grapefruit, whole fruit
- Vitamin C Powder (optional)
THE FLUSH
STEP 1: To start, take one malic acid capsule every day for six days.
STEP 2: Starting on day six, after taking the malic acid capsules for six consecutive days, you start the “Flush Day.”
STEP 3: On “Flush Day,” eat lightly until 2:00 pm, avoiding excessively greasy foods. After 2:00 pm, stop eating entirely, although a few sips of water are fine.
STEP 4: Now you can start making your Epsom salt solution. This solution aids in widening the gall bladder and liver ducts to make it easier to expel stones.
- Measure 4 tablespoons of food-grade Epsom salts in 3 cups of water. Mix well, so it fully dissolves.
- You can add 1/8 tsp. natural Vitamin C powder to improve the taste. (Optional)
- This is done simply to improve the taste.
STEP 5: At 6:00 pm on “Flush Day,” drink 6 ounces of the Epsom salt solution. You may rinse your mouth or drink some plain water after.
STEP 6: At 8:00pm the same day, drink another 6 ounces of the Epsom salt solution, rinse, and/or drink water afterwards.
STEP 7: Now we move on to the Olive Oil and Grapefruit Beverage
STEP 8: After drinking your first two doses of the Epsom salt drink, you create this mixture at 9:45 pm on Day 6, “Flushing Day.”
- Mix ½ cup olive oil and 2/3 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (about two grapefruits), being mindful of removing the pulp.
STEP 9: Before drinking the Olive oil and Grapefruit beverage, massage your liver firmly to help to release the stones. To effectively massage your liver, you need to push your fingers firmly under the right side of your upper rib cage. This may feel slightly uncomfortable as you loosen the trapped stones.
STEP 10: At 10:00 pm, you drink the olive oil and grapefruit mixture while standing. Even though it may taste yucky, try to drink it within five minutes. Holding your nose and chugging it may help.
You may feel slightly unwell after drinking this, but most people report feeling fine.
STEP 11: Then rest very still, lying on your right side for twenty minutes. Using a hot water bottle or heating pad (not too hot) over your liver can help. Some have reported feeling the stones travel through the bile ducts, but this is not a painful process.
STEP 12: After 20 minutes, go to bed and rest.
STEP 13: The following day at 6:00 am or whenever you wake up, drink another 6 ounces of the Epsom salt mixture, but do not go back to sleep.
STEP 14: Two hours later, drink another 6 ounces of the Epsom salt mixture. You will probably need to use the toilet by this time and maybe passing stones. Also, be aware that Epsom salts act as a laxative, so you will likely experience loose stools.
STEP 15: Two hours after this, you may begin to eat, but not anything heavy or greasy. By dinnertime, you can eat normally, and you should be recovered with all stones safely passed.
Even though this gallbladder and liver cleanse can be safe, you may feel tired for 1-2 days. Please be sure to be kind to yourself and allow plenty of rest.
This cleanse is safe to perform once per year.
After the cleanse, try to stick to a healthy meat-based diet to prevent these stones from forming again and dramatically decrease the possibility of these stones forming again.
Eating a diet high in saturated animal fat and low in industrial seed oils will go a long way in preventing gallstone formation.
If you are on your healing journey and are looking for support for your liver and gallbladder or any other aspect of your health, consider taking NwJ’s Symptom Burden Assessment and scheduling a consult with the Nutrition with Judy team.
We are currently accepting new clients and can support your healing journey.
DISCLAIMER: The content is for educational purposes only and we are not providing medical advice. Whenever you start a new diet or protocol, always first consult with your trusted practitioner.
January Louise
October 8, 2022 at 8:24 amPlease please add an exception to this protocol!!! It is dangerous to advise that this is safe for everyone, it is definitely not! If someone has large gallstones it is not safe to try to expell them from the gallbladder, they can get stuck and cause serious complications! This protocol should only be suggested to people who have had a report detailing the size of their gallstones and therefore those with small stones. Please please share this protocol responsibly.
Nutrition with Judy
October 8, 2022 at 12:58 pmDisclaimer added!
Rose
October 8, 2022 at 12:54 pmThe flush really works. I struggled to get my gallbladder to cooperate when I went high fat. My picture looks just like the one in the article but a little darker green. 6 months later I did it again and very little came out. After this my gallbladder did much better with fat. Amazing.
Jill
October 8, 2022 at 12:54 pmHello!
My husband and I were doing Andreas Moritz’ Liver and Gallbladder cleanse and had some success early on. Lately we have been reading about heavy metal/mercury toxicity. In our reading we learned that doing kidney and liver cleanses can do more harm than good if you have mercury. My husband had crazy symptoms flare up after we did a kidney tea cleanse that we had previously had good results with.
I would love to hear a podcast on mercury/metal toxicity. It has even made sense of my food “sensitivities” b/c I learned that some people with heavy metal toxicity become sulphur intolerant so it makes sense why I can’t handle dairy, eggs and salmon.
Let me know if you have done any research on this subject and I think it could make an interesting podcast!/blog post! Thanks for your work!
Julia
October 8, 2022 at 12:55 pmIts pretty easy to proof that the “gallstones” that come out is simply hardened olive oil. I have done it many many years ago, when I was dumb and believed everything I read. This was such a stress for my already overburdened liver and gallbladder….”Gallstones” came out, of course, except they weren’t gallstones at all.
anthea
May 5, 2024 at 3:44 amIncorrect. Before taking the oil concoction (after 2 bouts of epsom salts) I started passing stones already. I have taken epsom salts many times (not olive oil) and passed them (they are light green or pale colored).
Cammi
October 8, 2022 at 12:56 pmHi there!🍁
Gallbladder flushes are debunked! Check out videos on the topic. The so called “stones” that come out is literally soap-stones made from the ingredients mixed together with the bile. Best regards!🍁
Deb Miller
May 26, 2024 at 1:14 pmIncorrect. If you put on gloves and handle the stones, you can wash the oily substance off to reveal the stone material inside. It would be impossible for the body to convert olive oil into stones in a matter of a few hours.
Sarah
October 8, 2022 at 12:56 pmThank you for your hard work!
Robert
May 2, 2023 at 1:05 pmVery frustrated. I first switched to keto and then to (almost) carnivore – eating heavy cream and yogurt , cheese, eggs a few times a week. Doing this because after eating fatty meats I feel really nauseous. Obvious sign of gallbladder trouble, right? Well, yesterday I developed severe pain on the right side of my body, originating where my gallbladder is and radiating up my back to my shoulder. Went to the doc and suggested it might be gallbladder and he said it could be anything and we have to rule out pneumonia with chest x-rays. I know I don’t have pneumonia. I’m also getting an abdominal ultrasound but that could take weeks.
So now I don’t know what to do? If I keep eating (towards) carnivore, won’t all the fats increase the gallbladder trouble?
Li
August 7, 2023 at 2:57 amHow are you now? Did you continue carnivore?
Jennarie Joseph
October 8, 2023 at 8:23 pmI did this flush and OH MY GOSH, I released so many gallstones! I did this flush because I wasn’t tolerating fats. I assumed my liver was sluggish due to years of low fat dieting. I had no idea I had stones. Thank you Judy for posting this!!!
Lesley
December 3, 2023 at 5:00 pmHi!! If we want to take malic acid (teaspoons/tablespoons, not pills) how do we convert the correct amount? I don’t want to have the apple juice. and would prefer an increase in malic acid.
Kelly Gillespie
July 6, 2024 at 9:45 pmIs this flush beneficial even if you don’t have a gallbladder? I’m wondering if it would clear the bile ducts? I recently had pancreatitis. The MRI showed no stones but the GI team said there could be “sludge” in the bile ducts that may need be cleared out.
Maria
September 23, 2024 at 11:54 amThe protocol is very well explained. The only thing I did different is last 2 days I was juice fasting as no fat should be consumed and I had antispasmodic tablet. I passed loads of sones they were different shapes, sizes and colours. I felt like I had surgery for couple of days after that, but after a week I gained some energy back and nothing was moving the needle for me for years on carnivore. It’s life changing for me. I just have done 2nd flush and didn’t pass any more stones. Will try liver supplements now. I recommend this flush for CIRS, MCAS and ME/CFS fighters:)
M
December 8, 2024 at 8:10 amYears back my husband suffered from gall stones. Went to emergency twice but they couldn’t do anything and sent him home with a strainer. I saw the articles about gallbladder flushed. So he tried the olive oil/lemon juice treatment at home. Lo and behold he passed few dark color stones. As they were saying while lemon juice helps shrink the size of the stones and the oil helps to glides out easily.