I find this thread very upsetting.
From what I've seen, having a properly functioning gall bladder is a very good thing, and one needs to care for one's gall bladder and keep it healthy.
I have no idea whether a gall bladder flush works or not. I have my doubts, but am willing to consider the theory. It'd be useful to look at how to prevent gallstones in the first place and how-to encourage optimum bile production and flow and was hoping to read more about these on this thread and I'm thankful that
@prioris started it.
What I find upsetting is that sick people who share a need to find wellness would be bashing practitioners and modalities which might actually be able to help them, and praising websites like SBM, which seems to be populated many closed minded, arrogant doctors who have no interest in actually helping patients get well and are more interested in proving to each other how smug they are.
There are significant problems with "evidence based medicine." We are all genetically unique individuals, with unique environmental factors that may result in different outcomes for different patients. The people on this site seem to be more fragile than the general population - I have no reason to believe anything that works for a bunch of identical widgets will work for me, as I've suffered side effects from many things that don't bother other people.
I will, however, look at studies, whether large, double blind, etc. or simply individual case studies and think critically about whether something might work for me and try to understand the theory or mechanism.
As a patient, I want a toolbox full of tools to help me get well. What works for someone else may not work for me and vice versa. I don't need other people editing/censoring ideas down to only what they approve of, I want to hear all ideas that may help.
Many drugs are approved based on tests done only on men...if you're a woman, the same drug may work differently, and perhaps more dangerously on you. And not all trials are reported in studies...some are omitted as they didn't make the correct point the authors wanted to make.
There are political forces at work to bash many valid treatments. These interests have their own profits as a strong motive. They're big advertisers in major media, and can get articles suppressed. Some substances can't be patented and so there's no payback for clinical trials. Some substances were brought into use before the FDA.
As patients, we need to be curious, do our research, and look at different evidence and opinions. We are struggling to get well. I'd hate to miss the one thing that will finally cure me because it was bashed in SBM, didn't have the right study, or I didn't want to listen to the source.
My naturopathic doctor has helped me far more than any MD, aside from my oncology surgeon, to date. He's run conventional (LabCorp, Quest) and other tests, prescribed hormones, antibiotics, antivirals, nutrients, botanicals, and ozone therapies which have helped me. It's entirely legal where I live (Washington state) and I am very grateful. Everything he's done is rooted in science, and I've always been able to identify studies that support everything he does.
Many of these things are bashed on SBM, Quackwatch and similar sites. All I can say is, if you don't want to get well, keep reading those sites... they'll scare you away from many valid treatments.
I'm very grateful to read different peoples opinions, but find it upsetting when people who don't have factual information vehemently bash good ideas. It might be best to seek out the truth instead...there are always other points of view and other sources of evidence... and what you learn may surprise you.
Now, about gall bladders, I've been interested in this theory... I think he's on to something...
http://www.beyondmthfr.com/side-high-oxalates-problems-sulfate-b6-gut-methylation/
