Understanding Gallstones: Can You Dissolve Them Naturally?

• Can Gallstones Be Dissolved?|
• Natural Ways to Support Gallstone Reduction|
• Gallstone Symptoms & How to Read Your Situation|
• When to Consider Surgery|

If you’ve been diagnosed with gallstones, one of the first questions you may ask is whether they can be dissolved without surgery. The answer is more nuanced than most headlines suggest.

Some gallstones, particularly small cholesterol-based stones, may respond to non-surgical strategies that improve bile composition and gallbladder function. Others, including pigment stones or calcified stones, do not dissolve and often require medical or surgical management.

This article breaks down what the research shows. We’ll cover when non-surgical approaches may be reasonable to explore, which strategies are supported by evidence, and when surgery is the most appropriate option.

Can Gallstones Actually Be Dissolved Naturally?

To answer this question clearly, it helps to understand how gallstones form and what the gallbladder is designed to do.

The gallbladder plays a central role in digestion and metabolic balance. It stores bile produced by the liver and then releases it into the small intestine, especially in response to dietary fat. Bile helps break fats into tiny pieces called micelles, making them easier to digest and absorb. Bile also supports the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, contributes to cholesterol balance, helps eliminate metabolic waste products, and plays a role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome 1.

How Gallstones Form

Gallstones develop when bile composition becomes imbalanced. Bile is made of mostly water, bile salts, fats (including cholesterol), and bilirubin. The exact composition of bile depends on individual factors like diet and even the gut microbiome 2. 

About 90 percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones that occur when there is too much cholesterol in the bile, and the gallbladder is sluggish. The combination of a slow gallbladder and too much cholesterol, along with rapid formation of crystal-like solids, results in gallstones 2.  

The Three Key Factors That Influence Gallstone Formation

Understanding these underlying drivers helps clarify why some gallstones may respond to non-surgical strategies while others do not.

• Bile Composition: The quality and balance of your bile are critical. If bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts, cholesterol can crystallize and form stones. When bile is well-balanced, it acts more like a solvent, keeping cholesterol dissolved.
• Gallbladder Motility: A healthy gallbladder contracts efficiently to release bile. If the gallbladder does not empty fully or frequently enough, bile can become stagnant and overly concentrated. This hypomotility creates ideal conditions for cholesterol crystals to aggregate into biliary sludge and, over time, gallstones.
• Inflammation Control: Chronic inflammation in the gallbladder can further disrupt bile flow and motility, making stone formation more likely over time.

Not All Gallstones Behave the Same Way

This distinction matters when discussing natural or non-surgical options.

In the United States, an estimated 10 to 20 percent of people have gallstones 3. Some people don’t have any symptoms and may never know they have gallstones. If you do not have symptoms from gallstones, you probably don’t need treatment to dissolve them 4. 

As mentioned earlier, about 90 percent of gallstones are cholesterol stones, while roughly 10 percent are pigment stones, which are formed from bilirubin rather than cholesterol.

Small, cholesterol-based gallstones are the type most likely to respond, at least partially, to non-surgical medical therapies that alter bile composition. One example is bile acid treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which may be used when stones are small, symptoms are mild, and the cystic duct remains patent 3.

Other types of gallstones are not addressed as candidates for dissolution therapy in this context. As a result, non-surgical approaches have limited applicability, and surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) remains the most definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease 3.

In short, sometimes surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the only way to get rid of gallstones 3 4.

What “Dissolving” Really Means

When people talk about dissolving gallstones naturally, it helps to be clear about what that actually involves. 

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), also called ursodiol, is a prescription medication sometimes used to dissolve gallstones, but it only works for certain people. UDCA is a type of bile salt that is most effective when 3:

• The stones are small
• The stones are mostly made of cholesterol
• There are only mild symptoms
• The gallbladder can still drain normally

Studies show that UDCA dissolves gallstones in about one in three patients and may help reduce gallbladder pain over time, but it is not highly effective at completely dissolving them 3.

Another method for dissolving stones is extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). First used in the mid-1980s, this treatment uses shock waves to break gallstones into smaller pieces so they can pass through the bile ducts and into the intestine. While it can work, it also carries risks, including inflammation of the pancreas or bile ducts.

It tends to be most helpful for larger gallstones that don’t show up on X-rays. Even so, symptoms often come back—about 30–50% of people have recurring gallbladder pain, and up to 60% experience a return of stones within five years. The treatment only works if the gallbladder can still drain properly, and because the gallbladder is left in place, new stones can form over time 3.

Other non-surgical approaches focus on changing the conditions that allow gallstones to form in the first place. The goal is to make bile less likely to hold onto excess cholesterol and to help the gallbladder empty more normally.

Evidence-Backed Ways to Support Gallstone Reduction

When gallstones can be managed without surgery, the following strategies are most often used. Although pigment and calcified stones do not dissolve, cholesterol-based stones may be influenced by targeted dietary and supplemental strategies.

Here’s what the evidence supports.

Dietary Strategies That Support Gallbladder Health

Rather than focusing on individual foods alone, gallbladder health appears to be influenced by broader dietary patterns that affect bile composition, cholesterol balance, and gallbladder motility.

Research suggests that gallstone risk is lower when diets emphasize:

• Adequate fiber intake which helps reduce cholesterol saturation in bile. Every 10-gram-per-day increase in dietary fiber helps reduce the risk of gallstones by 21%, according to a large study of over 8,000 people 5
• Moderate amounts of healthy fats, which support regular gallbladder emptying 6
• Minimal intake of saturated and trans fats, which increase bile cholesterol 6
• Limited refined carbohydrates and added sugars 6

In contrast, very low-fat diets, highly processed foods, fast food, diets low in vitamin C, and diets high in refined sugars and fructose have been associated with increased gallstone risk 6 7

Dietary Patterns That May Be Helpful

Several well-studied dietary patterns naturally incorporate these principles and may be reasonable options for people looking to support gallbladder health:

• Mediterranean-style diets, which emphasize vegetables, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, and moderate fat intake
• Whole-food, minimally processed diets, such as Paleo-style or Low FODMAP approaches, which reduce refined carbohydrates and support fiber intake
• Balanced weight-loss diets that avoid extreme fat restriction, particularly during periods of rapid weight loss 7

These patterns may support healthier bile flow without relying on severe restriction or cleanses.

Supplemental Support for Gallstone Management

In some cases, targeted supplements may be used to support bile composition, gallbladder motility, or gut health. These approaches are not intended to rapidly dissolve gallstones or replace medical care. Instead, they may be useful for prevention, symptom support, or early-stage management of cholesterol-based stones.

Bile Acids

Bile acids play a central role in keeping cholesterol dissolved in bile. Prescription bile acids, like UDCA, are sometimes used under medical supervision to dissolve small cholesterol stones over time 3. In other cases, supplemental bile acids, such as ox bile, may be used to support bile flow and cholesterol balance, particularly when bile appears thick or sluggish. However, there is no strong research to back the use of supplemental bile acids, although they have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine 8.

For a deeper breakdown of when bile acids are appropriate and how they’re used, see our full guide to gallstone supplements.

Probiotics

The gut microbiome influences bile acid metabolism and cholesterol handling. Microbial imbalance may contribute to gallstone formation by increasing the absorption of secondary bile acids and cholesterol.

Probiotics may help support microbial balance and bile metabolism, particularly in people with digestive symptoms or a history of gut disruption 9.  

To learn more about probiotics and their benefits, see our detailed guide to probiotics.

Herbal and Nutrient Support

Certain herbs and nutrients are traditionally used to support bile flow and liver–gallbladder function. These are best viewed as supportive tools, not stone dissolvers, and may be most helpful when used alongside dietary strategies.

For a full breakdown, see our gallstone supplement guide. 

Cleanses and Flushes

The concept of a “gallbladder flush” or “liver cleanse” is popular in some circles. These typically involve consuming a mixture of olive oil, citrus juice, and sometimes herbs or Epsom salts over a short period. The idea is that this concoction will stimulate the gallbladder to expel stones, which are then supposedly visible in stool.

It’s crucial to address this with extreme caution and a clear understanding.

At this time, there is no reliable evidence that cleanses or flushes dissolve or safely remove gallstones.

Gallstone Symptoms and How to Read Your Situation

It can be tough to decide whether gallstones are something to monitor or require active treatment. Symptoms can offer meaningful clues. 

Most Gallstones Never Cause Symptoms

Gallstones are common, and most never cause problems. About 10 to 20 percent of adults in the United States have gallstones, yet up to  80% percent of those people will never develop symptoms or complications 3. Many people learn they have gallstones only because imaging was done for an unrelated reason.

If gallstones aren’t causing symptoms, surgery is usually not urgent, and conservative management is often appropriate.

Signs That Gallstones Are Becoming an Issue

When gallstones do cause symptoms, it’s usually because bile flow is disrupted or the gallbladder becomes irritated.

Common symptoms include 3:

• Intermittent pain in the upper right or central abdomen, often after meals and lasting more than 30 minutes
• Pain in the right or central abdomen at night
• Pain that radiates to the back or right shoulder
• Intolerance to fried and fatty foods
• Nausea 
• Vomiting

These episodes are often referred to as gallbladder attacks. Some people experience them rarely. Others notice they recur or worsen over time. Recurrent attacks are a key signal that gallstones may require more active management.

When to Consider Surgery

Gallstones become a medical concern when they stop behaving quietly.

Persistent pain, fever, jaundice, worsening nausea or vomiting, or signs of infection should always prompt medical evaluation. These symptoms can indicate complications such as gallbladder inflammation, bile duct obstruction, pancreatitis, or biliary infection 3.

At this stage, conservative strategies are often no longer enough.

Situations Where Surgery Is Typically Recommended

Recurrent or Severe Gallbladder Attacks

Frequent episodes of intense upper abdominal pain (biliary colic), especially when they interfere with daily life, often indicate ongoing obstruction or irritation. In these cases, surgery is typically the most definitive treatment.

Gallstone-Related Complications

Surgery is usually recommended when gallstones lead to complications, including 3:

• Acute cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, often accompanied by fever, nausea, and persistent pain
• Choledocholithiasis, when stones block the common bile duct, potentially causing jaundice, liver injury, or pancreatitis
• Gallstone pancreatitis, a serious condition requiring hospitalization and often gallbladder removal once inflammation resolves

Large or Calcified Gallstones
Non-surgical approaches are unlikely to be effective for large stones or stones that have become calcified. In these cases, surgery offers the only reliable solution.

High-Risk or Atypical Situations
In some cases, surgery may be considered even when symptoms are minimal, such as with very large stones (greater than 3 cm) or other features that increase the risk of future complications.

What Surgery Typically Involves

Most gallbladder removals are performed using a laparoscopic approach. This minimally invasive procedure involves small incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to open surgery.

Deciding whether and when to pursue surgery should always be done in close consultation with a healthcare provider. Factors such as symptom severity, stone characteristics, overall health, and personal preferences all play a role. In many cases, surgery provides the most reliable path to lasting symptom relief and prevention of serious complications.

Bringing It All Together

Gallstones are common, and their management is rarely one-size-fits-all. Some gallstones, particularly small cholesterol-based stones or biliary sludge, may be managed with dietary strategies, targeted medications or supplements, and careful monitoring. Others require medical or surgical intervention to prevent complications.

At the Ruscio Clinic, we approach gallstones by first understanding the full clinical picture. That includes symptom severity, stone type, bile function, digestive health, and the role of the gut microbiome. From there, we help patients decide whether conservative management is appropriate or whether more definitive treatment is needed.

If you’re navigating gallstones and unsure about your next step, working with a clinician who understands both functional and conventional approaches can help you make confident, informed decisions. The goal is not to avoid surgery at all costs, but to choose the safest and most effective path forward for your individual situation.

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