It is possible to follow a carnivore diet without a gallbladder although you may need some adjustments and modification, so be careful. The gallbladder performs the crucial task of storing the bile that processed your fats. Without a functioning gallbladder, the liver must produce more bile, and you would need to adapt the carnivore diet slightly to avoid digestion issues and fat malabsorption.

Yes, this is excellent news for any carnivore (or potential carnivor) without a gallbladder out there! However, don’t forget that feeling comfortable in your lifestyle is essential. Adapting your diet to your needs is vital to feel, look and perform your best.

What Is A Gallbladder

A gallbladder and is small organ that you might have thought was insignificant. You might not have ever given it much thought. Yet, when you are looking at switching to or continuing with an all-meat-based protocol, the optimal functioning of your gallbladder suddenly becomes vital.

The gallbladder is a hollow, pear-shaped sac located just under the liver on the right side of your abdomen. This pouch produces bile during the day, while you are not eating, and becomes the size of small fruit as it fills up. 

The most important task performed by the gallbladder is to store the bile produced by the liver.

As you enjoy a meal that contains some fats, the bile leaves the gallbladder through ducts and reaches the small intestine, where it starts to process these fats and lipids. After your meal, the gallbladder is empty and returns to its original size.

What happens if the gallbladder is removed?

While the gallbladder is a vital part of our digestive process, it is entirely possible to live a healthy and vibrant life without it.

However, since the bile produced by the liver will no longer have an adequate storage facility, it will be transported directly into your small intestine. This process allows you to continue to break down and absorb most foods and meals without an issue. 

The challenge becomes that your intestine will not be able to have enough bile on request as it would if you had a gallbladder. The result is experiencing difficulty in properly and adequately digesting larger meals or high amounts of fats at once.

Often and especially before your body becomes used to it, you might experience digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and gas.

Furthermore, it is important to note that foods that are tougher to digest, including high-fiber, greasy, and fatty ingredients, can make the adaptation process much slower.

Gallbladder Removal

Each year, over 500,000 people have their gallbladder removed  and the majority of these people maintain a normal and healthy life after the surgery.

One of the primary reasons for removing the gallbladder relates to the complications arising from the accumulation of old bile on the walls of this gallbladder. These deposits are often referred to as gallstones.

Their size can vary greatly they result in painful symptoms including severe discomfort, inflammation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.

Other medical conditions that could call for a gallbladder removal include:

·       Biliary dyskinesia – this condition prevents your gallbladder from moving properly and, as a result, it is not able to empty the stored bile into the small intestine. 

·       Cholecystitis -Inflammation of the gallbladder itself

·       Pancreatitis - Inflammation of the nearby, connected pancreas

·       Choledocholithiasis - another accumulation of bile that moves down, and results in blocking the tubes connecting the gallbladder to the intestine.

While these conditions can sound severe and life-altering, it is important to address these issues by treating them promptly. As soon as you find out about your condition, it is important to consult with your health care practitioner regarding all your options.

A Carnivore Diet Without A Gallbladder

Gallbladder-removal surgery has become a standard procedure that results in minimal post-operative side effects. The body has an outstanding ability to adapt to the new situation. 

Never-the-less, it is essential to modify your eating habits and diet to some degree to take the best care of your digestive tract, especially your intestines. Following a strict carnivore diet already encourages the elimination of hard-to-digest high-fiber foods by excluding all foods containing fibers, carbs, sugars, and plant-based foods. 

An all-meat, zero-carbohydrate diet asks encourages your body entering a state of ketosis to source the required energy and calorie intakes from proteins and fats only.

Both of these macronutrients are essential in to get all the nutrients, vitamin and minerals necessary to thrive.

The problem arises because once the gallbladder has been removed, the intestine might have trouble processing such high amounts of fats. 

Some useful suggestions to adapt you’re a carnivore diet to not having a gallbladder include:

Reduce Fats

While the gallbladder removal is a standard, non-threatening surgery, your body might still need some time to adapt to the new situation. Following a carnivore-type diet requires one to introduce high amounts of fats to gain all the energy you need to fuel your lifestyle.

It is important that during the first period after the surgery, or when starting a carnivore diet with no gallbladder, you should limit your fat consumption to a minimum. During this time, opt for leaner cuts of meat and avoid cheese, bacon, beef, or other fatty ingredients such as lard.

Increase the fat intake gradually after the first two weeks to get your intestine to adapt to the new digestive system.

Supplement Wisely

Supplements are a controversial topic when following a carnivore diet, with many believing that supplements are not essential because you can get the all the necessary nutrition when the diet is optimized.  However, without a gallbladder, your digestive system might need a little extra help to process a large number of fats. 

In the case of low-carbohydrate diets, health care professionals recommend introducing ox bile supplements, which can aid with lipids digestion. Alternatively, if you feel low on energy due to the limited fat intake, opt for MCT supplements, which are fatty acids that are easy to digest and absorb without much bile.

Experiment With Ginger Tea

Of course, the only two beverages you can drink without reservations while on a carnivore-type diet are water (carbonated or natural) and bone broth. How you follow your carnivore diet is personal and dependant on your individual goals, needs and concerns and many prefer to add tea and coffee to their lifestyle. 

Some infusions, such as ginger tea, can help relieve the effects of indigestion, gas, and bloating. These substances are plant-based, and you should introduce them only in limited amounts while following the carnivore diet. These are plants used as medicine, as opposed to nourishment.

Stay Hydrated

Adequate hydration is essential for an optimal digestion process. While omnivores tend to acquire their water supply from vegetables, fruits, and other types of plants and carbohydrates, you might need to make an increased effort to keep yourself hydrated.

To begin, try to drink at least 50% of your body weight in liquids every day, calculated in ounces. Alongside your water intake, focus on providing your body with enough sodium, potassium, and magnesium, adding appropriate supplements if and when they are needed.

Eat Less, More Often

One of the most popular benefits of the carnivore diet is that there is absolutely no need to calculate calories or portion sizes. You can eat as much as you want until you feel satisfied and full.

Contrary to this philosophy, after a gallbladder removal surgery, it is important to adapt your daily eating routine to the reduced capacity of your digestive system. By eating smaller yet more frequent meals, you can make the best out of the bile flowing through from the liver.

Finally

The gallbladder performs an important digestive task, but it is not an essential organ for processing fats in otherwise healthy individuals. You can begin or continue with your carnivore diet without a gallbladder without too much challenge. 

Nevertheless, you might find that adapting your eating habits to the new, limited performance of your digestive system by eating smaller, more frequent meals, and introducing supplements allows you to continue to experience the maximum benefits this type of nutrition plan offers.