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A surprising number of people with thyroid issues also struggle with gallbladder dysfunction and fatty liver – even when standard labs look “normal.” In this episode, I interview gallbladder and fatty liver nutritionist Olivia Haas to map the connections between thyroid hormones, bile flow, and gallbladder health. We talk about early warning signs (hello, pale/“sticky” stools), what to do if fats make you nauseous, and why “just remove the gallbladder” isn’t the only path.
Olivia shares practical, gentle ways to stimulate bile (without triggering attacks), smart testing beyond basic liver enzymes, and how to support your body with or without a gallbladder. If you’ve had your gallbladder removed, or you’re trying to avoid surgery, this conversation will help you navigate diet, digestion, and liver support with confidence.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Fat intolerance is a bile story – start with flow. Nausea after fatty meals, reflux, and pale, sticky, or floating stools point to sluggish bile. Instead of staying low-fat forever, Olivia explains how to gently improve bile composition and flow so you can digest fats again.
- Bitters are a simple first step. Radicchio, dandelion (tea or greens), lemon water, and diluted apple cider vinegar can quickly nudge bile flow and ease fat sensitivity, especially when used before meals. Olivia shares when to start bitters, how often, and how to scale up safely.
- The thyroid–gallbladder loop runs both ways. Low thyroid can thicken bile (cholesterol supersaturation) and weaken gallbladder contraction (low CCK), while poor bile flow can impair T4-to-T3 conversion and raise toxin burden – fueling a vicious cycle.
- Fatty liver is common, and can be reversible when you catch it early. Don’t wait for elevated liver enzymes. Patterns like high triglycerides, low HDL, insulin resistance, fatigue, 3 a.m. wake-ups, clay-colored stools, and PMS can flag trouble earlier and justify an ultrasound/FibroScan.
- Post-cholecystectomy? You still need a plan. Without the gallbladder’s “regulator,” bile can drip constantly and irritate the gut – or be too weak to digest fats. Olivia’s priorities: individualized digestive support (enzymes/bile salts/ACV), mineral repletion, fiber, and steady liver support.
- Myth-busting time. “Low-fat forever saves your gallbladder” (it doesn’t), “you can eat anything after surgery” (please don’t), and “it’s just genetics” (choices and exposures turn genes on) all miss the bigger picture of bile flow, metabolism, and toxins.
Freebies
- Free masterclass: How to Reverse Digestive Issues, Fatty Liver, and Metabolic Challenges with No Gallbladder
Guest Resources / Connect with Olivia Haas
- Learn more at The Gallbladder Diet website
- Follow Olivia on Instagram and TikTok
- Listen to The Gallbladder Diet podcast
- Join the Gallbladder Saver Society
- Join the Gallbladder Gone Support Society
Supplements We Discussed
- Rootcology Liver & Gallbladder Support: support bile flow for the normal processing and elimination of toxins through a specialized combination of nutrients and herbs.
- Bile salts (ox bile; TCA bile salts): support fat digestion and bile flow; dosing must be individualized.
- Choline (phosphatidylcholine; CDP-choline): supports fat metabolism and bile composition, and helps prevent liver fat buildup.
- Amino acids: foundational for detox and bile acid conjugation. Consider Rootcology Amino Support.
- Fibers like acacia fiber, SunFiber, and psyllium seed husk: bind toxins/estrogens and support regularity.
- Minerals: magnesium, zinc, and potassium for liver detox phases, thyroid uptake, and glycemic support.
- B-complex (methylfolate or folinic acid options): for methylation and bile composition. Consider Rootcology MTHFR Pathways.
- Herbal supports: milk thistle (choleretic), dandelion + artichoke (cholagogues; add when the gallbladder is less reactive).
- Apple cider vinegar: diluted before meals may help with fat intolerance, post-meal symptoms such as reflux, and blood sugar balance.
Other Tools and Resources
- Join my Root Cause Reset Program for just $77! This self-paced 30-day program features 4 modules to help you gently reset your liver, clear toxins, and release symptoms in as little as two weeks. Jumpstart your healing to feel brighter, happier, and more alive. On sale for a limited time, through Dec 2nd, for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (regular price is $397).
- Bitter foods & teas: radicchio, dandelion greens, dandelion root tea, lemon water, diluted apple cider vinegar.
Books and Articles About Thyroid & Related Topics
- IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Dr. Izabella Wentz’s upcoming book will be released on March 17th, 2026, and is available for pre-order now. Most people with Hashimoto’s have leaky gut/intestinal permeability, which can trigger autoimmunity – yet, most are never told about it. Many are also told their gut symptoms – including bloating, cramping, or digestive pain – are “just irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)” or something they’ll have to learn to live with. Whether you’ve been struggling with gut issues for years or you were just diagnosed with IBS, this comprehensive guide will help you figure out the root causes of gut issues and help you heal.
- Hashimoto’s Protocol by Dr. Izabella Wentz: Learn foundational liver/gallbladder support strategies to support thyroid healing.
- How Your Gallbladder Affects Hashimoto’s and Fat Digestion
- The Ultimate Guide To Using Enzymes with Hashimoto’s
- Pancreatic Elastase, Fat Digestion and Hashimoto’s
- How Supporting the Liver Is Key to Recovering from Thyroid Disease
- The Benefits of Amino Acids for Hashimoto’s
- Got Acid Reflux? And Hashimoto’s?
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
- Follow me on Instagram: @izabellawentzpharmd
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Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will be released on March 17, 2026, and is available for pre-order here.
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About Our Guest
Olivia Haas is passionate about empowering individuals on their gallbladder journey to lead healthier lifestyles so that they can live a long, happy, and fulfilling life with or without a gallbladder! As a gallbladder and fatty liver nutritionist, her goal is to give people resources and sources, whether they are working to save their gallbladder, transition well through surgery, or improve their health months to years post gallbladder surgery.
Olivia has a Master of Science in Integrative Science. She is a board-certified nutritionist and certified nutrition professional.
Olivia became passionate about all things health and wellness from her own personal health struggles. After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism in her early 20s, she was given a choice to take several different medications or change her lifestyle. Olivia left the doctor’s office that day and focused on changing her lifestyle. She became obsessed with learning how to heal herself naturally. It was not always a smooth road, and unfortunately, Olivia developed gallbladder disease years later. Again, she made the choice to heal herself naturally and has prevented gallbladder surgery to this day. A healing journey can be difficult at times, but so rewarding in the end.
Olivia’s health struggle became her blessing. Today, Olivia works with individuals working to save their gallbladder, reverse fatty liver, or improve their health without a gallbladder.
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