Unveiling the Yellow Veil of Jaundice: Decoding its Massive Enigma through 6 Alternates

WHAT IS JAUNDICE?

Jaundice is an upsurge of bilirubin in blood. Bilirubin, a yellowish pigment released from the breakdown down of RBCs (Red blood cells) which cause jaundice. A significant increase in this pigment turns eyes, skin and gums to yellow.

The liver is responsible to filtering bilirubin from blood streams therefore jaundice is basically a liver disease or its failure.

The major occurrences of jaundice are found in new born and its more detrimental because 80% mortality among infants labeled due to it, children and the people who are immune compromised due to any disease or health issues.

The visible symptoms could be observed when bilirubin level raises up to levels of 2-3 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or in any further increase.

WHAT ARE TYPES OF JAUNDICE?

There are basically three types of jaundice which are as follows:

• Pre-Hepatic Jaundice

It commonly occurs before blood reaches out liver. It basically a condition which influences the red blood cells breakdown rate due to which bilirubin outflows to body tissues.

• Hepatic Jaundice

It is the health condition when the liver tissues activity becomes less effective in bilirubin filtration from blood.

• Post-Hepatic Jaundice

It happens due to certain blockages. Actually, such health condition happen when filtered bilirubin cannot drain out of body.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF JAUNDICE?

The jaundice could affect children, adults and old age individuals. It depends upon the health conditions to diagnose and prescribe solutions however there are some common symptoms of jaundice which are as follows:

• Yellow skin color
• The inside color of mouth becomes yellow
• Dark or brown urine
• Pale stools
• Pruritis (itching) may accompanied with jaundice

HOW GOOD DIET HELPS IN JAUNDICE RECOVERY?

Jaundice is related to certain liver disease. As we all know that human diet play a pivotal role in making or destroying human health. Balanced diet facilitate growth and development and conversely poor dietary options like sodas, beverages, junk foods and over eating leads towards adverse results.

It is observed that certain foods have better impact on human health and well being than others. Better diet results better recovery and prevention.

Actually, in the digestion process liver excretes bile which facilitates in fats breakdown. Liver also responsible for the metabolizing nutrients , toxins and medications.

Certain foods have friendly impacts on liver because liver has to perform certain degree of effort to process every food. Some foods digested easily than others. The foods like refined sugars, salt and saturated fats are the examples.

Whereas, the toxins like alcohols and certain medicines not only affects liver functioning rather destroys it as well and adversely affects metabolism.

Therefore, it is advised to consume those foods and drinks which assists in digestion and caused no further damage and helps in liver detoxification.

WHAT SHOULD ONE EAT/DRINK DURING JAUNDICE ENCOUNTER?

The concerned Doctors always prescribe certain type of food and drinks to overcome the issue of jaundice and facilitate detoxification and recovery.

The recommendation of food varieties and drinks solely based upon the severity of liver issue and stage of damage. On the basis of medical conditions and damage certain fruits , vegetables and drinks could be suggested which are as follows:

WATER AND JAUNDICE

While recovery and prevention of jaundice the water intake is of paramount importance. Water plays dual functions i.e. it helps in flushing out the toxins from liver and kidneys and also facilitates in digestion of food consumed effectively.

One should drink at least 64 ounces or 2 liters of water daily for proper detoxification of body. In case of any issue, one could add one teaspoon of lemon, lime or grapefruit juice to increase an additional dose of antioxidant.

ROLE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN JAUNDICE RECOVERY

The fruits and vegetables are rich sources of antioxidants and fiber which helps in further liver damage and smooth digestion of food. It supports the whole metabolism and digestion process manifolds.

Almost all fruits and vegetable exhibits the liver friendly characteristics yet certain fruits and vegetables have more friendly impact on liver and pose advantages as well. Those include:

• Grapes, blueberries and cranberries
• Whole citrus fruits like lemons, limes and grapefruit
• Melon and papaya
• Sweet potatoes, yams and pumpkins
• Olives
• Avocadoes
• Tomatoes
• Beets and carrots
• Ginger and garlic
• Spinach
• Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower vegetables
• Collard green

In order to get optimal benefits the people who are confronting from jaundice should eat whole fruits in place of their juice.

It is also suggested not to take refined sugars such as HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrups).

IMPACT OF COFFEE AND HERBAL TEA IN JAUNDICE PREVENTION AND RECOVERY

As we know the coffee and herbal teas are rich in higher levels of antioxidants features therefore it also recommended to use them in small quantities to stimulate digestion further. Caffeine may also help in digestion.

It is observed that the coffee is being used during liver condition od cancer and fibrosis to slow down the further damage progression.

SUPPORTING ROLE OF WHOLE GRAINS

Whole grains are beneficial for jaundice patients due to high levels of healthy fats, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. 

A study conducted in 2013 revealed that the patients who took oats which contain beta glucan for 12 weeks results in more improved liver functioning.

BENEFITS OF NUTS AND LEGUMES IN JAUNDICE RECOVERY

The nuts and legumes are rich sources of vitamin E, antioxidants , healthy fats, fiber and phenolic acid.

The studies also support that walnut and other nuts and legumes have certain benefits for the liver functioning.

LEAN PROTIENS ROLE IN JAUNDICE

It is revealed through studies that the lean proteins like in fishes, legumes and tofu are more liver friendly than red meat due the fact of easy digestion.

The salmon and mackerel which have omega 3 and zinc also facilitates in metabolism of alcohols, carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES WHICH ARE DETRIMENTAL FOR JAUNDICE PATIENTS AND BADLY AFFECTS LIVER FUNCTIONING

The balanced diet and recommended food intake has pivotal prevention during jaundice. Any relaxation in food regimen may results in serious damage to liver and overall health. The foods and beverages which must be avoided are as follows:

ALCOHOLS

Alcohol is considered extremely detrimental for liver and overall health of any individual irrespective of jaundice due to its toxicity. The excessive consumption of alcohol may results in serious inflammations, liver issues and may leads towards fibrosis.

Therefore, the use of alcohol is strictly prohibited for better liver functioning and well being.

USE OF REFINED CARBOHYDRATES

The unhealthy diets like sodas, baked items, white breads and pastas all are detrimental for health and cause serious threats to overall health liver functioning.

The excessive sugar intake must be discouraged because it may cause serious health issues lie obesity and type 2 diabetes.

AVOID PACKED, CANNED AND SMOKED FOOD ITEMS

The dairy product which is rich in saturated fats must be avoided. The packed, canned and smoked food items should also be avoided because they contain higher levels of preservatives which spoil overall health and cause serious injury to liver.

The main ingredient of such preservatives is salts like nitrates and sulfates which are detrimental for health. The interesting fact is the salts dehydrates body and make the whole process of digestion and metabolism slow. It exerts more pressure on liver and cause difficulty in food digestion.

The lower quantities of salts are recommended to avoid damage. The recommended consumption of salt is less than 1.5 grams salt per 100g i.e. 0.6 g sodium. Equal or higher than this range may be considered as high in salt diet.

IMPACT OF TRANS FATS AND SATURATED FATS

The fast foods, oily foods and fried food items are rich in saturated and trans fats which pose serious problems in digestion and exerts more pressure on liver. The intensity may also multiply if the said food is prepared in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

The point to ponder is to avoid cheese food items, whole milk and yogurts because of higher levels of saturated fats.

Despite of visible research gaps, the available research suggests that the consumption of trans and saturated fats leads towards liver damage and also enhance insulin resistance. Insulin facilitates in controlling sugar level.

The excessive intake of trans and saturated fats may also results in malnutrition and obesity which again pose serious threats to health and detrimental impacts on liver profiling.

The researchers suggest avoiding trans fats totally from diet and minimal intake of saturated fats in food may be suggested up to 5-6 % of entire calories.

AVOID UNDER COOKED FOOD ITEMS

It is suggested to avoid eating raw or under cooked food items because they may cause serious health hazards. Especially, raw or undercooked fish and shellfish must be avoided because they contain viruses, bacteria and parasites which destroy overall liver functioning and cause serious problems to overall digestive system.

USE OF BEEF AND PORK

The available body of research suggests avoiding meat, beef and pork in jaundice because of presence of animal amino acids which are difficult for digestion.

In spite of red meat, one could have other food sources for protein intake like fish, poultry, plant based proteins like tofu, legumes etc. to minimize strain to liver.

LIVER FRIENDY FOOD BENEFITS FOR ALL

The balanced diet is the basic ingredient for better, healthy and disease free life. The inclusion of alcohol, trans fats and saturated fats spoils the whole fabric of well being therefore they should be avoided.

The following are the main stakeholders who could reap benefits from liver friendly foods than others.

• The pregnant women and the mothers on breastfeeding
• The newly born children
• The individuals who are immune compromised stage
• The people who already exposed to liver issues like hepatitis, bile duct obstructions like hall bladder stones or tumors.
• The alcohol addicted people
• The people with fatty liver issues
• The people who are taking medications like pain killers or steroid.
• The people who are having certain hereditary conditions like Gilbert Syndromes or Dublin Johnson Syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

The main symptom of jaundice is an excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood, however the actual cause might be anything.

Jaundice is determined by your body’s ability to break down blood cells, filter blood in the liver, or remove waste from the blood.

If you observe a yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, consult a doctor very away. You could require emergency medical care if you have any alarming or serious symptoms. There are some jaundice causes that can be fatal.

The jaundice must be dealt with great attention and in a cautious manner. One must follow a strict diet regimen to cure and prevent jaundice because if remain untreated it main become very serious for health. Balanced diet, avoidance of alcohol and trans as well as saturated fats facilitates in timely recovery.

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