Itchy Skin May Be linked to Problems with Bile Flow.

Bile helps you digest fats and absorb important nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K. When bile becomes thick and sluggish — a condition called biliary stasis — problems can develop in the liver and gallbladder. One early sign may be itchy skin. Over time, biliary stasis may contribute to gallstones and other digestive problems.

Symptoms of Biliary Stasis

Symptoms may include:

• Itchy skin
• Dry skin
• Pain under the right rib cage
• Nausea after greasy foods
• Clay-colored stools
• Fat or grease in the stool
• Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth
• Constipation that does not respond to other treatment
• Reflux that does not respond to other treatment

Biliary stasis is also a possibility in pregnant women with severe itching.

Sugar, Insulin Resistance, and the Gallbladder

Insulin resistance is linked to fatty liver and biliary stasis. Fatty liver can progress to serious liver problems over time. Research has linked insulin resistance and high sugar intake to gallstones, fatty liver, biliary disease, and even biliary tract cancer [1-5].

Try This

• Follow the Roadmap to Health diet to help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.

• Berberine: 500 mg, 3x/day.

• Gallbladder supplements often contain ingredients like artichoke extract that may help support bile flow.

Educational only — not medical advice.

Related Articles

Fatty Liver

Insulin Resistance

Signs of Gallbladder Problems

Berberine and Blood Sugar Control

Selected References:

  1. Br J Cancer. 2011 Oct 25;105(9):1424-9 Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in relation to biliary tract cancer and stone risks: a population-based study in Shanghai, China
  2. Carcinogenesis 2008 May;29(5):944-8 Polymorphism of genes related to insulin sensitivity and the risk of biliary tract cancer and biliary stone: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China
  3. Ann Oncol. 2013 Sep;24(9):2449-55 Diabetes mellitus, insulin treatment, diabetes duration, and risk of biliary tract cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma in a European cohort
  4. J Hepatol. 2001 Nov;35(5):550-7 Impact of liver inflammation on whole body insulin resistance : a case report on primary biliary cholangitis
  5. Nutrients 2013 May 10;5(5):1544-60 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its connection with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease