Diet and Nutritional Factors Related to Symptomatic Gallstone Disease in Women

Abstract

Background: Gallstone Disease (GD) results from the interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental factors such as physical activity, diet and food habits that are characteristic of each culture. Female gender, aging, obesity and insulin resistance are strongly associated to gallstone formation. Female Mexican population presents high prevalence of obesity and GD. Hence our aim was to establish the relationship between GD, dietary constituents and nutritional factors in women with symptomatic cholelithiasis. Methods: We performed a case-control study in 93 women with symptomatic gallstones and 95 controls. Evaluations included clinical aspects, anthropometry, 24-hours dietary recalls, food habits and physical exercise. Results: Family history of GD was present in 53% of GD patients, 54% showed insulin resistance. GD women, compared to controls, had more overweight and obesity (83% vs. 69%), higher waist-to-hip ratio (0.869 ± 0.06 vs. 0.838 ± 0.063, p=.001), consumed lesser meals /day (2.91 ± 0.76 vs. 3.61 ± 0.81 p<0.001), ingested more energy (2186 kcal vs. 1366 kcal p<0.001), more total fat (65 vs. 43 g/day; p<0.001) and more portions of simple sugars per 1000 kcal (2.5 vs. 2.0 p=0.025). Fewer GD women consumed dietary fiber recommended allowance (3 vs. 25% p<0.0001). Overnight fasting periods were longer in the GD group. Most patients and controls had a sedentary life style. Conclusion: Obesity, abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance and nutritional factors such as excessive intake of total energy, total fat, simple sugar and long fasting periods; constitute risk factors for gallstone formation. Meanwhile, adequate dietary fiber intake is a protective factor in this population of Mexican women.