Jaundice is a term used to describe a yellowish tinge to the skin and sclera (the white part of the eye) that is caused by excess of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). The body fluids may also be yellow.
Bilirubin can be described as a yellowish-brown substance found in bile, which is produced when the liver breaks down old red blood cells. It is eliminated from the body in the form of faeces and is the substance that gives the stool its standard colour. Certain factors can cause the bilirubin level in the body to increase, including alcohol, certain spices, specific medications, and acidic foods. A high level of bilirubin in the body is accompanied by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. An excess of bilirubin in the body can lead to jaundice. Therefore, following a healthy bilirubin diet is essential, which involves limiting the consumption of nutrient-rich foods, oils, spices, and alcohol, among other substances. Foods that should be part of a healthy bilirubin diet include coconut water, radishes, dried fruits, and tomatoes.
The simple form of jaundice can be cured rapidly by diet therapy and exercise. Recovery will, however, be slow in severe cases, which have been caused by obstruction or pressure in the bile ducts. The patient should rest until the acute symptoms of the disease subside.
The patient should be put on a juice fast for a week. The juices of oranges, lemons, grapes, pears, carrots, beets and sugarcane can be taken. A hot water enema should be taken daily during this period to ensure regular bowel elimination, thereby preventing the absorption of decomposed, poisonous material into the bloodstream.
After the juice fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for another three to five days. In this regimen, s/he should have three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges and pineapples, but no bananas.
SIMPLE JAUNDICE DIET
Breakfast: One fresh juicy fruit such as an apple, a pear, a mango, a papaya, or some grapes. One cup wheat broken wheat or one slice of wholemeal bread with a small quantity of butter.
Mid-morning: Orange or pear juice.
Lunch: Raw vegetable salad, two small whole-wheat flour tortillas, and a steamed leafy vegetable, such as. Spinach, or a carrot, and a glass of milk.
Mid-afternoon: Coconut water or apple juice.
Dinner: One cup of strained vegetable soup, baked potato and one other leafy vegetable like fenugreek seeds, spinach, etc.
Before retiring: A glass of hot skimmed milk with honey if desired.
All fats, such as clarified butter, butter, cream, and oils, must be avoided for at least two weeks. After that, butter and olive oil may be included in the diet, but their consumption should be kept to a minimum. A light carbohydrate diet, excluding fats, best obtained from vegetables and fruits, should be followed.
The patient should take plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit juices. Raw apples and pears are especially beneficial. Barley water, consumed several times a day, is considered a valuable remedy for jaundice. One cup of barley should be boiled in six pints of water and simmered for three hours.
Digestive disturbances must be avoided. No food with a tendency to ferment or putrefy in the lower intestines, like pulses and legumes, should be included in the diet. Drinking a lot of water with lemon juice can help protect damaged liver cells.
The jaundice patient can overcome the condition quite easily and rebuild their sick liver until it functions normally once again. A recurrence of liver trouble can be prevented with reasonable care in diet and lifestyle, regular moderate exercise, and frequent exposure to sunshine, fresh air, and adequate rest.
Research has shown that the liver has an excellent capacity to regenerate itself, provided all essential nutrients are adequately supplied. Diets high in complete proteins. Vitamin C. And B vitamins, particularly choline. Vitamin E can also hasten its regeneration. Even after recovery, it is essential to maintain the diet for an extended period to prevent recurrence of the trouble.
Jaundice Foods to Eat, Avoid
DIET: Raw juice diet for 3 to 5 days. Oranges, lemons, sugarcane, and carrots can be used to make juices. During this period, the bowels should be cleaned daily with a lukewarm water enema. An all-fruit diet for a further 3 to 5 days, with three meals a day at five-hourly intervals.
AVOID: Fried and fatty foods, too much butter and clarified butter, meats, tea, coffee, pickles, condiments and pulses.
OTHER MEASURES
- Drink plenty of water with lemon juice.
2. Adequate rest.
3. Avoid digestive disturbances.
4. Moderate exercise
People who are suffering from or are recovering from jaundice need to be very careful about what they eat. Consuming the wrong type of foods not only aggravates the condition but could also lead to a relapse in people who are already on their path to recovery. Therefore, following the tips and guidelines for jaundice nutrition is extremely important to expedite the recovery process.
Several dietitians and other health experts advise patients with jaundice to switch to a jaundice diet for a couple of weeks, or at least until the condition improves. In most cases, a patient is asked to follow a juice and liquid diet for about a week. This prevents dehydration and, at the same time, provides the body with foods that are easy to digest yet high in nutrition. Fresh vegetable juices (beetroot, carrot, and spinach), fruit juices (orange, pear, grapes, and lemons), and vegetable broth are perfect for consumption at this time. The liquid diet may also be extended till the acute symptoms of jaundice subside. While following this diet, a hot water enema may be recommended to facilitate proper bowel elimination, thereby preventing the body from absorbing decomposed or toxic material into the bloodstream.
After the juice diet, a patient may be asked to follow an all-fruit diet for approximately 3 to 5 days. Hence, the three or four meals consumed per day should consist of fresh fruits, such as apples, pineapples, grapes, pears, and oranges. Bananas should never be included in the jaundice diet. However, the liquid and fruit jaundice diet should only be followed as prescribed by your dietitian.
Once the fruit diet is complete, a dietitian’s recommendation should be followed, incorporating a diet that includes everyday foods cooked with minimal oils and spices. A jaundice patient should strictly avoid alcohol, caffeine, whole dairy products, sweets and red meats till the condition is completely cured.
Jaundice is a serious condition which could even be fatal if it is not treated appropriately. Jaundice nutrition and supplements are an integral part of treatment for jaundice. Therefore, it is best to have a dietitian closely monitor the diet and recovery process to prevent relapses or other complications.
