Understanding the Sphincter of Oddi:

Top Tips for Managing Dysfunction

Managing gallbladder symptoms is rough.

Trust me, I know the feeling.

The sharp abdominal pain, the sudden onset of nausea, the fear of eating out, and the constant running to the bathroom…

Sometimes it seems so unfair to deal with gallbladder and digestive problems. But the key to effectively managing your symptoms is to fully understand what’s going on in your body.

As a gallbladder nutritionist, it’s my job to empower you to make informed decisions about your gallbladder health. And to have the tools to combat gallbladder symptoms when they come on fast.

The gallbladder is crucial to the breakdown of fats in your digestive system. But did you know one of the key components of your gallbladder health is a little valve called the Sphincter of Oddi?

Many people don’t know what the Sphincter of Oddi is all about. So this blog is dedicated to helping you better understand this mechanism so you can be fully equipped to take charge of your gallbladder health and symptoms.

An Overview of the Sphincter of Oddi

The Sphincter of Oddi (SO) is a smooth muscle valve that regulates the flow of biliary and pancreatic secretions into your small intestine.¹ The SO joins the common bile duct from the gallbladder and the pancreatic duct from the pancreas.

The SO has 3 main functions¹:

To regulate bile flow into the duodenum (the start of your small intestine)
To prevent reflux from the small intestine
To regulate gallbladder filling by moving bile into the gallbladder

If your SO isn’t working properly, you may experience SOD– or Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. SOD is characterized by biliary, pancreatic, and hepatic disorders if the SO isn’t relaxing at the right time, or it’s experiencing muscle spasms or irregular contractions.¹

SOD can be terribly uncomfortable.

So, I want to make sure you have the tools to regulate your SO and whole body system if dysfunction happens to you.

What Impacts the Sphincter of Oddi’s Functioning?

There can be many reasons why your Sphincter of Oddi malfunctions. Let’s look at the top reasons for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD).

SOD more commonly occurs:

After gallbladder removal
In women over men, likely due to differing hormone levels
If you have thyroid problems– specifically low thyroid hormone

The Sphincter of Oddi may be the link between gallstone disease and thyroid dysfunction. Your thyroid hormone plays a large role in the regulation of your SO.

Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that has an inhibitory effect on your SO– meaning if you don’t have enough thyroxine in your body, your SO may become more tense. ²

Additional studies confirm that adequate thyroid hormones have a direct pro-relaxing effect on the Sphincter of Oddi. ²

To break this down— thyroid hormones help to relax the SO. So low thyroid hormone levels lead to improper relaxation and dysfunction of the SO. ³

Another hormone linked to the Sphincter of Oddi is the female reproductive hormone, progesterone.

Progesterone affects the Sphincter of Oddi because it significantly impairs gallbladder emptying.⁴If you have too much circulating progesterone in your body, the gallbladder cannot function properly– causing complications at the Sphincter of Oddi.

Progesterone’s effect on this body system is a reason why gallstones and biliary motility disorders are more commonly seen among women.

So how do you know if you have SOD? Let’s look at some common symptoms of dysfunction.

Symptoms of Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Most patients who experience Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) present with biliary colic-type pain.

This type of pain is typically located in the upper stomach and right upper quadrant– sometimes radiating to the back and shoulder.

Pain can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, but it usually resolves spontaneously.⁵

Additional symptoms of SOD include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Jaundice– or yellowing of the skin and eyes (although rare)

In severe cases of SOD, recurrent or chronic pancreatitis may occur. ⁵

If you experience any of the above symptoms, especially with a diagnosis of gallbladder disease, read on to learn what you can do right away to keep your SOD symptoms at bay.

Tips for Relieving and Preventing SOD Symptoms

The good news is that diet and lifestyle adjustments can help you bounce back from frustrating symptoms of Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD).

Plus these tips are good for protecting your gallbladder AND nourishing your entire digestive system!

Here are my top tips for easing your SOD symptoms:

1. Get Your Fiber In!

Make sure you’re eating a balanced fiber-rich diet.

Some of my favorite fiber-rich foods include lentils, celery, leafy greens, and broccoli.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration is a top tip for nourishing ANY system in your body. But adequate water intake is key for easing gallbladder and SOD symptoms.

You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should drink at least 70 oz. of water each day.

3. Cut the Fat

Limiting your fat intake– especially trans fats or fats from processed foods is a must. Fatty foods are a massive trigger for SOD symptoms.

One of the easiest ways to manage your fat intake is to cook more meals at home. That way, you’re in charge of exactly what oils, butter, and fats go into your meals– rather than trusting what goes on in a restaurant kitchen.

Plus, you’re saving money– it’s a win-win!

4. Eat a Balanced, Whole-Food Diet

Vegetables, fruits, and proteins are KEY to helping keep gallbladder and SOD symptoms away. I always build my plates with a source of fiber, lean protein, and healthy fat.

Avoid packaged, processed meals or snacks– and try to always eat fresh when you can!

5. Maintain a Regular Eating Schedule

This one is a must! Make sure every day, you follow a consistent meal schedule.

Wake up and have a protein-filled breakfast, eat your lunch at the same time daily, and make sure you have dinner at least 2-3 hours before you go to bed.

Another key tip is to practice mindful eating– meaning NO DISTRACTIONS during mealtime! This helps your digestive system slow down and process foods and fats much better– minimizing those GI and gallbladder symptoms.

Become an Empowered Gallbladder and SOD Patient!

The Sphincter of Oddi plays a large role in your gallbladder and digestive health. Knowing how to properly take care of it is a must for gallbladder patients.

If you’ve been struggling with gallbladder disease or SOD symptoms– you’re not alone. As a functional nutritionist focusing on all things gallbladder, I know the feelings myself.

With my knowledge from years of nutrition training PLUS going through my own gallbladder journey– I’ve now been able to help hundreds of gallbladder patients prioritize their health and improve their symptoms for good.

So… if you’re a gallbladder warrior who’s recently had your gallbladder removed– or you’re planning on having the surgery soon–you have to check out my Gallbladder Removal Reset Program!

The Gallbladder Removal Reset Program has everything you need to take charge of your post-op gallbladder symptoms– including SOD which is common after gallbladder removal.

This program is packed with post-op education, gallbladder-friendly recipes and meal ideas, live monthly support calls, and tons of post-gallbladder removal resources.

So don’t wait… join The Gallbladder Removal Reset Program today, or connect with me one-on-one here to discuss ways I can guide you on your journey to becoming an empowered gallbladder patient.

I can’t wait to support you soon!

Resources

Afghani E, Lo SK, Covington PS, Cash BD, Pandol SJ. Sphincter of Oddi Function and Risk Factors for Dysfunction. Front Nutr. 2017 Jan 30;4:1. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2017.00001. PMID: 28194398; PMCID: PMC5276812.
Laukkarinen J, Sand J, Aittomäki S, Pörsti I, Kööbi P, Kalliovalkama J, Silvennoinen O, Nordback I. Mechanism of the pro relaxing effect of thyroxine on the sphincter of Oddi. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Jun;37(6):667-73. doi: 10.1080/00365520212492. PMID: 12126244.
Ravi P, Thugu T, Singh J, et al. (September 12, 2023) Gallstone Disease and Its Correlation With Thyroid Disorders: A Narrative Review. Cureus 15(9): e45116. doi:10.7759/cureus.45116
Tierney S, Nakeeb A, Wong O, Lipsett PA, Sostre S, Pitt HA, Lillemoe KD. Progesterone alters biliary flow dynamics. Ann Surg. 1999 Feb;229(2):205-9. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199902000-00007. PMID: 10024101; PMCID: PMC1191632.
Crittenden JP, Dattilo JB. Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction. [Updated 2023 Feb 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557871/