Mixed
Very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs, <800 kcal/day) significantly increase the risk of symptomatic gallstones requiring hospitalization and cholecystectomy compared to low-calorie diets (LCDs, 1200-1500 kcal/day) during commercial weight loss programs.
If you choose a very-low-calorie diet (around 500 calories/day) for rapid weight loss, be aware that your risk of developing symptomatic gallstones requiring hospital care is about three times higher than if you ate a standard low-calorie diet (1200-1500 calories). Although the absolute risk is still low, discuss this with your doctor, especially if you have other risk factors. Some studies suggest supplements like ursodeoxycholic acid might help reduce this risk.
The risk of symptomatic gallstones requiring hospitalization or cholecystectomy, albeit low, was 3-fold greater with VLCD than LCD during the 1-year commercial weight loss program.
Why this rating
Large matched cohort study (n=3320 per group) with long-term follow-up and linkage to national health registers, though non-randomized.
Source
Risk of symptomatic gallstones and cholecystectomy after a very-low-calorie diet or low-calorie diet in a commercial weight loss program: 1-year matched cohort study
Kari Johansson et al. · International Journal of Obesity · 2013
DOI 10.1038/ijo.2013.83
Related findings · Mixed
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