Diet in jaundice

What is the diet for jaundice?
(29 Aug 2007)

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Jaundice is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom. It is manifested by the trademark yellowing of the skin and the conjunctiva of the eyes. It is caused by an excess of Bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin is a waste product that is normally excreted from the body in the form of urine. It is yellow in color and gives urine a yellow tint. The liver is responsible for the removal of Bilirubin from the blood.

However in the case of jaundice patients, Bilirubin levels are elevated. Elevated Bilirubin levels cause the staining of the skin. If the levels are only mildly elevated the staining is a deep yellow color. However if the levels of this chemical are very high, the staining is generally more brown in color. The increase in Bilirubin is often caused by its excess production. In other cases, it may be causes by the inability of the liver to remove the Bilirubin in the blood. In rarer cases, a blockage of the bile ducts hinders the flow of Bilirubin from the liver into the intestines.

Patients with jaundice must be advised complete bed rest and must refrain from consuming any form of oily or spiced food. A diet of fresh fruits, fresh fruit juices, soups, thin and light broths and fresh vegetables juices are highly recommended. Some of the preferred fruits that must be consumed during jaundice include oranges, lemons, and grapes, pears while juices made from fresh carrots and fresh beets are excellent as diet for patient with jaundice. Barley water, consumed several times in a day, is believed to be a good remedy for jaundice. One cup of barley boiled in six to seven pints of water must be simmered for a few hours before cooling and drinking the preparation.

Nutritionists believe that regular consumption of citrus fruits and its juices aid in faster recovery from the disease and such items can be consumed in liberal amount. One must avoid fatty foods; food products made from saturated fats, clarified butter, heavy milk cream and oils, full-fat dairy products, red meat, and alcoholic drinks during any stage of the disease and especially after the treatment have been completed, for a minimum period of 5 months. Most importantly consult with your physician before making any dietary changes for jaundice.
Diet therapy and complete bed rest is useful in curing a mild form of jaundice quickly. Recuperation is, however, sluggish when patients with jaundice have obstruction in the bile ducts.

answered by G M on 19 May 2009, 2:01:19

Mild form of jaundice can be treated effectively by following some dietary guidelines.

Include lots of fluid in your diet in the form of water, barley water, lemon juice, coconut water, all fruit juices, juice of bitter luffa and sugarcane juice. This will help in frequent urination which in turn will help to eliminate excess bile pigments from blood.
Avoid fatty, oily and fried foods all together. Also avoid fats like clarified butter, butter, oil and cream for at least two weeks. Start fat in the form of butter and olive oil after two weeks. A light carbohydrate diet with least spices added and derived from fresh vegetables and fruits should be preferably consumed.
Have a bland food and avoid coffee, pickles, tea, meats, condiments and pulses.
Learn to relax and rest. Avoid any kind of physical or emotional stress as far as possible.

answered by S P on 7 Sep 2007, 9:06:55

Diet in jaundice

What is the diet for jaundice? (29 Aug 2007)

What is the diet for jaundice?
(29 Aug 2007)