Active Lifestyle Lowers Risk of Gallstones

When the bile within the gall bladder collects and settles it has the potential to form gallstones. Although most gallstones dissolve on their own without producing symptoms, about 15 percent of people with stones experience pain that, in some cases, requires surgical removal. A recent study confirms that exercise helps reduce the risk of developing gallstones. Regular activity may "shake up" the bile, preventing it from crystallizing into stones. Researchers looked at rates of physical activity and the occurrence of gallstones in more than 25,000 adults aged 45 to 79 and found that the more exercise they performed, the lower the risk of developing gallstones. The study took into account exercise habits, obesity, alcohol use, and reproductive history. Compared to a sedentary lifestyle, those who were active decreased their risk of gallstone formation by about 60 percent.