The link between obesity and gallstones
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Surgery, Phuong Dong General Hospital, obesity is an important risk factor for the development of gallstones. Many studies have shown that obese people are at higher risk of gallstones than people with normal weight. This risk may be related to many factors such as metabolic changes, diet and lifestyle behavior in obese people.
The rate of gallstones in obese people is much higher than in people with normal weight. According to research, the risk of gallstones in obese people can be 2-3 times higher than in non-obese people.
Research from the Framingham Heart Study shows that about 33% of obese women and 20% of obese men have gallstones, compared to 9% in women with normal weight and 4% in men with normal weight.
Mechanisms explaining why obese people are prone to gallstones
The increase in the risk of gallstones in obese people can be explained through many mechanisms, including:
Changes in lipid metabolism
Increased cholesterol levels in bile: Obese people often have higher blood cholesterol levels, leading to increased cholesterol secretion into bile. When cholesterol levels in bile exceed the solubility of bile salts, cholesterol crystallizes and forms stones.
Reduce bile salt levels: Obese people tend to have a lower bile salt/cholesterol ratio, reducing the solubility of cholesterol, promoting the formation of stones.
Reduced activity of the gallbladder
Gallbladder deposition: Obese people often have less physical activity and a diet high in fat, leading to reduced gallbladder contraction activity. This causes bile to be depositioned longer in the gallbladder, creating favorable conditions for cholesterol crystallization.
The presence of metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome: Obesity is often accompanied by metabolic syndrome, including increased blood sugar, high blood pressure, increased triglycerides and decreased HDL cholesterol. These factors also increase the risk of gallstone formation.
Effects of hormones
Obese people, especially women, often have higher levels of estrogen. Estrogen can increase cholesterol levels in bile and reduce gallbladder contractions, increasing the risk of gallstones.
