Gallstones' Development Linked to Diet

Gallstones can be a nightmare and medical researchers say diet may play a major role in their development.

When bile containing too much cholesterol and not enough salts builds up in the gallbladder, stones form, causing attacks that lead to surgery. With both men and women over 60 most likely to develop gallstones, ThirdAgers might want to read the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' comprehensive fact sheet on gallstones.

Low-fiber, high-starch and high-cholesterol diets may contribute to their formation, medical experts say. Obesity, hormone replacement therapy and rapid weight loss are a few risk factors for gallstones, and women between 20 and 60, men and women over 60, Mexican American men and women and especially Native Americans are most susceptible.

A gallstone attack is usually a steady pain in the abdomen, back and shoulder lasting for about 30 minutes in the beginning and then lasting for several hours if not treated.