Exercise 'cuts risk of developing painful gallstones'

London, Feb 10 (ANI): Intense exercise lowers the risk of developing painful gallstones, say British researchers.

In the University of East Anglia study of 25,000 men and women, researchers found that those who were the most active had a 70 percent reduced risk of those complaints, reports The BBC.

Writing in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, boffins said one reason might be reduced cholesterol levels in the bile.

They said exercise also raised levels of "good" cholesterol and help improves movement through the gut, all of which could contribute to the lowered risk.

Study leader Dr Paul Banim, a clinical lecturer at the University of East Anglia and a specialist registrar in gastroenterology said: "It is difficult to prove a link between lifestyle and disease but we weren't surprised to see these results.

"If everyone was to achieve the impossible and do the same amount of exercise as those in the most active category, gallstones could be reduced by 70 percent." (ANI)