The Gallbladder - Part 1
The Gallbladder – what does it do in the body?
Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked under your liver, and its job is simple but essential: it stores and releases bile.
Many of you have had your gallbladder removed in the past and were told, “it’s okay, you don’t need it anyways”. This is what most surgeons say.
It’s true you can survive easily without your gallbladder – but it’s harder to thrive, because without your gallbladder you’re more susceptible to certain nutrient deficiencies. It’s all fixable…but it’s important information you need to know :)
Bile is a digestive fluid your liver makes to help break down fats and absorb key nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K.
When you eat a meal—especially one with healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, or salmon—your gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to help with digestion.
Without this process, fats can’t be broken down properly, leaving you with digestive issues and potential deficiencies in your essential fatty acids (omega-3 &-6) and Vitamins A, D, E, and K.
The gallbladder also plays a role in detox. Bile helps your liver flush out toxins, waste, and excess cholesterol. When bile flows freely, everything works smoothly, and you feel energized. But when bile gets stuck or sluggish, it can lead to bloating, fatigue, and that frustrating "off" feeling you can’t quite put your finger on.
Quiet Symptoms of an Unhappy Gallbladder
Gallbladder problems often start quietly, with mild symptoms that are easy to ignore or blame on stress or diet. But if listen closely, you can nip any potential problems in the bud.
The first signs are often outside of your digestive system, they’re signs that your gallbladder hasn’t been doing its job properly. They’re body signs your fat digestion or absorption might be a problem.
There are many symptoms in this list that can be caused by other things, so take this first list with a grain of salt…and then watch for symptoms in the next list.
Dry, flaky skin
Without enough bile, you can’t properly absorb fat-soluble nutrients, leading to dry, dull skin that lotions can’t seem to fix.
Brittle nails or thinning hair
Fat malabsorption means fewer essential fatty acids and nutrients to nourish your hair and nails, leaving them weak, brittle, or slow to grow.
Chronic inflammation and joint pain
Bile plays a role in detoxifying the body. When it’s sluggish, toxins can build up, contributing to systemic inflammation and stiffness in joints.
Hormone imbalances (PMS, irregular periods, or menopausal symptoms)
Your body needs healthy fats to make hormones. Poor fat digestion can leave you hormonally out of balance, causing heavier periods, mood swings, or more intense menopause symptoms.
Low energy, especially after meals
When fat digestion is compromised, your body doesn’t get the steady, long-lasting energy that fats provide. Instead, you might feel tired or sluggish after eating, especially if your meal had any fat in it.
Constipation or irregular bowel movements
Bile acts as a natural lubricant for the digestive system. Without enough of it, stools can become dry and hard to pass, or your digestion may slow down altogether.
Pale, greasy, or floating stools
If fats aren’t being absorbed properly, they can show up in your stool, which may look pale or greasy—or even float on the surface of the water.
Skin issues like eczema or acne
When toxins build up due to poor bile flow, your body tries to eliminate them through the skin, leading to breakouts or flare-ups of eczema and other skin conditions.
Early Digestive Symptoms to Watch For
This next list of symptoms are a sign your gallbladder is sticking up its hand, asking for some support. These first symptoms can come and go and are often easily ignored (so they could go on for decades) but easily fixable (more on that in Part 3)
Bloating or gas, especially after eating rich foods or veggies from the cruciferous family (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc)
Burping or nausea after meals
A heavy or tight feeling under your right ribcage
Fatigue or brain fog, especially after eating
Pale or greasy stools (this can indicate fat isn’t being absorbed properly)
These subtle symptoms suggest that bile isn’t flowing efficiently. When bile gets stuck in the gallbladder, digestion slows down, leaving fats to sit in your system. Over time, this can lead to bigger problems.
If you have a few symptoms from the first list, and you’re starting to see the digestive symptoms, then it’s a good time to add some gallbladder support.
When Symptoms Become More Serious
If gallbladder issues continue, symptoms can become harder to ignore. You might experience:
Frequent indigestion, especially with fatty or fried foods
Greasy or foul-smelling stools
A dull ache or discomfort in your upper-right abdomen
Headaches or migraines linked to digestive sluggishness
These signs mean your gallbladder is struggling to keep up. Bile isn’t flowing the way it should, and fats aren’t being properly digested. This not only disrupts digestion but can also cause inflammation and discomfort. If bile continues to stagnate, gallstones can form, leading to even more complications.
What to Know About Gallstones and Gallbladder Attacks
Gallstones are small, hardened clumps that form when bile thickens and crystallizes. They can block the bile duct, causing inflammation or sharp pain—what’s known as a gallbladder attack.
Here’s what a gallbladder attack might feel like:
Intense pain under the right side of your ribcage, sometimes spreading to your back or shoulder
Nausea and vomiting
Fever or chills (a sign of infection)
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice, caused by blocked bile flow)
Tea coloured urine (dark brown)
If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider immediately. In some cases, gallstones require treatment, and if they become a recurring issue, removal of the gallbladder may be recommended. Go straight to hospital if you can.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Gallbladder
If you’ve already had your gallbladder removed—or you’re facing surgery—don’t worry. You can absolutely live a healthy life without it. However, digestion changes slightly once the gallbladder is gone.
Without a gallbladder, bile drips continuously from the liver into the intestines, rather than being stored and released when you eat. This makes it harder for your body to handle large or fatty meals, and you might experience bloating, diarrhea, or indigestion more often.
We’ll talk about what you can do to help your digestion in Part 3 :)
Wrapping it up
The gallbladder may be small, but it plays a critical role in digestion and detox. When bile flows smoothly, your body feels energized and clear. But when bile stagnates, symptoms like bloating, nausea, and fatigue can creep in.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s a good time to pay attention and make some small changes to support your digestion. Catching the problem early can prevent more serious issues like gallstones—or even surgery.
In Part 2, we’ll explore how hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause impact your gallbladder and bile flow, and why midlife is a critical time to support your digestion.
Got any questions or comments? Comment below, jump to our private Facebook Group, or the Ask Lisa page :).