The 5 Most Evidence-Backed Gallstone Supplements

• Fiber|
• Bile Acids|
• Probiotics|
• A-F Betafood|
• Milk Thistle, Artichoke & Green Tea|
• Supplements Not Supported By Evidence|
• FAQs|

Gallbladder symptoms are common, but they often appear in ways people don’t immediately connect to gallstones. Right-sided abdominal pain, shoulder discomfort after meals, or an increased sensitivity to fried foods may appear long before a clear diagnosis. During that time, many people turn to supplements with the hope of improving bile flow or easing symptoms.

In reality, a few supplements have solid research behind them, others have encouraging but early findings, and several are widely recommended without meaningful evidence. By having a better understanding of some of the major studies related to gallstone supplements, you can feel more comfortable making a decision supported by data, not guesswork.

This guide summarizes the research on the most commonly discussed gallstone supplements and highlights what may be useful based on current evidence.

1. Fiber

Dietary fiber plays a foundational role in digestive health, and gallbladder function appears to be part of that relationship. When fiber intake is low, bile can become more concentrated, which increases the likelihood of cholesterol crystallizing into stones.

A 2025 observational analysis of 8,782 adults found that every additional 10 grams of dietary fiber per day was associated with a twenty-one percent lower risk of gallstones 1. The study accounted for BMI, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, smoking, sedentary time, and macronutrient intake.

While this type of research cannot prove cause and effect, the pattern is consistent. Higher fiber intake may support healthier bile composition and motility, which can lower the chance that cholesterol will solidify into stones 1.

Nearly 95% of Americans don’t eat enough fiber. The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily fiber intake of 21-26 grams for women (depending on age), 30-38 grams for men, and 19-25 grams for children 2. Good sources of dietary fiber include lentils, raspberries, stone-fruit, broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, artichokes, onions, skin-on potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, nuts, and seeds. In the clinic, if someone is struggling to hit their fiber goals, we sometimes recommend a dietary fiber supplement to help them get enough fiber each day. 

2. Bile Acids

Most gallstones are made of cholesterol. They tend to form when bile becomes too thick, too concentrated, or unable to move freely from the gallbladder 3. Bile acids help thin bile and make cholesterol more soluble, giving the gallbladder a better chance of emptying and reducing the conditions that allow stones to form.

This is why you’ll hear UDCA and TUDCA mentioned in gallstone and bile-flow conversations.

• UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid) is a bile acid that’s used as a prescription medication in certain liver and biliary conditions. Clinically, it’s the better-studied option and is used to support bile flow and bile composition.

• TUDCA (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) is basically UDCA attached to taurine (an amino acid). That “taurine-conjugated” form can make it more soluble, and it’s often described as being more “cell-friendly”. It’s commonly discussed in the supplement space, but it has less clinical research than UDCA. 

Comparing the two, a 24-week randomized double blind trial in people with primary biliary cholangitis found that TUDCA performed similarly to UDCA. The study tracked alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a lab marker that reflects bile flow and bile duct injury in cholestatic liver disease. By week 24, about 76 percent of the TUDCA group and 81 percent of the UDCA group achieved an ALP reduction of more than 25 percent, and the difference between groups was not significant. In other words, on the trial’s primary outcome, TUDCA worked about as well as UDCA 4.

UDCA After Bariatric Surgery

The clearest evidence for UDCA comes from people who are at particularly high risk for gallstones after bariatric surgery. Multiple analyses suggest that UDCA meaningfully reduces the likelihood of new stones in this setting 5 6. Although these findings reflect a specific population, they demonstrate how UDCA can influence bile chemistry and lower stone risk when used appropriately.

UDCA with Omega-3s

Some research suggests that omega-3s may strengthen UDCA’s effects. In a trial comparing UDCA alone to UDCA plus omega-3s, both groups improved, but the combination made more progress in dissolving cholesterol stones 7. This points to a potential benefit for people who are already taking UDCA under clinical guidance.

These results suggest that if you are already taking UDCA, it may be worthwhile to discuss adding an omega-3 supplement with your health care provider. 

Why Omega-3s Matter for Gallstones

Bile is a fluid mixture of cholesterol, bile acids, and phospholipids. When the balance shifts toward thicker or more concentrated bile, cholesterol stones become more likely. Omega-3s appear to influence this balance in several ways:

• They may help keep bile less viscous, which supports more complete gallbladder emptying.
• They can reduce biliary sludge, an early stage of gallstone formation.
• When combined with UDCA, they seem to enhance cholesterol stone dissolution. This can be observed in a 2024 randomized controlled trial (RCT) where UDCA plus omega-3s outperformed UDCA alone 7.

Omega-3s come from fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. They can also come from fish oil and algal oil supplements that provide consistent Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Plant sources of omega-3s contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), but the body converts ALA to EPA and DHA very inefficiently. Because of this limited conversion, plant-based omega-3s may be less reliable than EPA and DHA for supporting bile flow and gallbladder health.

3. Probiotics

The gut and gallbladder communicate more than many people realize. Intestinal bacteria help shape the bile acids your liver produces. When the gut environment favors more inflammatory or secondary bile acids, stones become more likely. When that environment shifts in a healthier direction, bile often shifts with it 8 9.

The gut-gallbladder connection is one reason why probiotics are being explored as a supportive option for gallstone risk.

A 2022 randomized controlled trial compared TUDCA alone with TUDCA plus a probiotic containing L. acidophilus in adults with gallstones 10. After two weeks, the groups receiving probiotics showed healthier bile composition—calcium levels decreased, pH shifted in a favorable direction, and secondary bile acids such as DCA and LCA were reduced. With these changes can come a bile environment that is less prone to forming cholesterol stones.

TUDCA alone did not produce the same improvements.

While this study did not track symptoms or stone dissolution, it highlights a mechanism worth paying attention to. By improving the gut environment, probiotics may support bile chemistry in a way that reduces future stone risk.

4. A-F Betafood

Some formulas combine food-based compounds traditionally used to support bile flow, though evidence remains limited. A-F Betafood is a supplement that uses beet and carrot concentrates along with minerals, botanicals, and small amounts of animal (bovine) organ extracts. The question then is whether these ingredients meaningfully support gallbladder function.

In a randomized controlled trial, participants who took A-F Betafood showed improvements in gallbladder wall thickness and more efficient bile release, indicating reduced gallbladder inflammation and improved bile flow 11. As a note, this study was funded by the product’s manufacturer, so the findings should be interpreted with some caution.

These results are encouraging but still preliminary. A-F Betafood may offer gentle support for bile flow, but more rigorous research is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

5. Milk Thistle, Artichoke, and Green Tea

Milk thistle, artichoke, and green tea have each been studied for their beneficial effects on liver function and bile flow. They also provide antioxidant support. When combined, they may support bile sludge clearance, which is often considered an early stage of gallstone development.

A 2024 open-label trial in 65 adults with gallbladder sludge tested a blend of milk thistle, artichoke, and green tea at 300 mg per day of each ingredient 12. After three months, 64 percent of participants saw sludge reduced or resolved compared with 9 percent of the control group. Many participants reported fewer episodes of biliary colic, which is the sharp abdominal pain caused by gallbladder problems. Blood tests also improved: CRP (a marker of inflammation) decreased, suggesting less overall inflammation in the body. Levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-GT (enzymes that rise when the liver or bile ducts are under stress) also fell. This may indicate improved liver function and healthier bile flow.

Although the open-label study design limits interpretability, the difference between groups was notable and suggests potential benefit for people with early gallbladder dysfunction.

Supplements Not Supported by Evidence for Gallstones

Many supplements are promoted for gallbladder health, but the research varies in connecting their effects to gallstone physiology. These options may support general wellness, but they have not been shown to influence stone formation, bile chemistry, or symptom patterns in a meaningful way.

Magnesium

Magnesium is sometimes suggested for general digestive comfort because it can support regular bowel movements and may help relax smooth muscle. But it is not considered a proven “stone dissolver.” What we do have is population data: in a 2024 analysis of US adults (NHANES 2017 to 2020), people with higher dietary magnesium intake had lower odds of reporting gallstones. This does not prove cause and effect, but it does suggest magnesium-rich diets may be linked to lower gallstone risk, possibly through effects on lipid patterns such as the atherogenic index of plasma 13.

Turmeric

Turmeric is widely used for inflammation and liver support due to its active ingredient curcumin, but research does not show that it prevents or dissolves gallstones. It may increase bile flow, which can be helpful in some contexts 14; however, this same effect can worsen discomfort in people with active gallbladder pain. In addition, although turmeric is generally safe for most people, high-dose curcumin supplements have been linked to rare cases of liver injury, particularly in susceptible individuals or when taken long-term 15. Turmeric is therefore best viewed as a general wellness herb rather than a gallstone-focused intervention, and caution is advised with concentrated supplements.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E supports antioxidant balance and may benefit metabolic health 16, but it has not been shown to influence gallstone formation or improve biliary sludge. There are no clinical trials connecting vitamin E supplementation to gallbladder outcomes. For this reason, it does not belong in a targeted gallstone supplement plan.

General Liver Detox Formulas

Many detox blends contain herbs that support liver function, but liver support does not automatically translate to gallbladder support. Gallstones form based on bile composition and gallbladder motility, which are not reliably affected by most detox formulas. These blends may be helpful for overall wellness but are not particularly reliable for gallstone prevention or treatment.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact your clinician if you experience 3 17:

• Persistent or worsening right upper abdominal pain
• Pain after high-fat meals
• Pain that radiates to the right shoulder or back
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever or chills
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Dark urine

These signs may indicate active gallstones or a bile duct blockage that requires timely assessment.

FAQs

Do supplements actually help with gallstones?

Some supplements may support healthier bile flow or reduce the conditions that allow cholesterol stones to form. The strongest evidence is for bile acids such as UDCA, particularly in people with liver or gallbladder disease 6 7. Others, including probiotics and certain herbal formulas, show early but meaningful clinical study findings for improving bile composition or sludge.

Can supplements dissolve existing gallstones?

Only a few supplements show potential for contributing to stone dissolution, and results vary. UDCA, particularly when paired with omega-3s, has evidence for improving cholesterol stone dissolution 7. Most other supplements influence bile flow or bile chemistry rather than dissolving stones directly. If symptoms don’t improve, it’s important to see a medical provider for further testing. 

Can magnesium help with gallstones?

Magnesium is often recommended for gallbladder symptoms, but the research behind this does not explicitly show that it dissolves gallstones or treats gallbladder attacks. There are no clinical trials demonstrating that magnesium reduces stone size, prevents attacks, or changes bile composition in a meaningful way.

Magnesium may offer indirect support by helping with bowel regularity and smooth muscle relaxation, which can ease general digestive tension. This may improve some abdominal symptoms, but it does not address the stones themselves.

Magnesium is appropriate for overall digestive support, especially if constipation is present, but it should not be considered a treatment for gallstones. Persistent symptoms still require proper evaluation and imaging.

If I’m taking supplements, does that mean I can skip medical evaluation or imaging?

No. Supplements can support bile health or gallbladder function, but they should not replace proper evaluation. If you have predictive symptoms or recurring pain, imaging (like an ultrasound) and a clinician’s assessment remain essential.

Are there risks to using supplements like UDCA or herbal formulas?

As with any intervention, there are pros and cons. UDCA has been shown to be more useful in higher-risk situations, while herbal formulas and probiotics carry less risk, but with less developed evidence than UDCA.  Always discuss supplements with a clinician, especially if you have other health conditions.

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