Gallstones can be composed of which of the following substances?

Gallstones can indeed be composed of cholesterol, which is the correct answer. Cholesterol gallstones are the most common type and form when there is an imbalance in the substances that make up bile, leading to the crystallization of cholesterol. Factors that can contribute to this process include excessive cholesterol within the bile, decreased bile salts, and reductions in phospholipids, which normally help to dissolve cholesterol.

The formation of gallstones is influenced by various physiological factors, including diet, obesity, and certain metabolic conditions. While other types of gallstones exist, such as pigment stones, which are typically made of bilirubin and may form due to liver disease or hemolysis, cholesterol stones remain the predominant type associated with gallbladder disease.

The other substances listed—vitamins, sugars, and proteins—do not typically compose gallstones. They play diverse roles in the body but do not have a direct association with gallstone formation. Understanding the composition of gallstones is essential for diagnosing and managing conditions related to them.