Before you embark on that planned crash dieting or rapid weight loss program, it is very important you know that drastic dieting to cause rapid weight loss in fat people may lead to increased formation of painful gallstones.

What is gallstone?

Gallstone is a lump or hardened stone-like particles that develop in the gallbladder or bile duct. Gallbladder is a 4-inch, pear-shaped organ that is located under the liver in the upper right section of the human abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, a combination of fluids, fat, and cholesterol. These contents of the gallbladder solidify into either one large stone or several small ones. When the stone is formed in the gallbladder, symptoms such as pains in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen begin to manifest. The pain often radiates to the back or right shoulder or shoulder blade.

Obesity itself is a big risk for developing gallstone. Grossly overweight people, especially women are six (6) times more likely to develop gallstones, compared to others whose weight is average for their height. Even “slightly overweight” people face nearly double the risk of developing gallstones.

Not all gallstones are formed from cholesterol, and not all of them cause trouble. But when they plug up bile ducts, they trigger pain, swelling, jaundice and other problems, and sometimes requiring surgery.

Though, some drugs and treatments can slow the formation of stones or dissolve gallstones that are already formed. Sudden drastic dieting causes the liver to churn out bile that is overloaded with cholesterol, leading to the formation of gallstones.

Still, fat people are advised to lose weight, since obesity is a major health risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Using a stone-dissolving treatment along with a slowed down weight loss plan may reduce the risk of the formation of gallstones.

If you want to lose weight fast with a low-calorie diet, check with your doctor first about the relative risks involved.

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