Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited disorder where there is a defect in the ability of the liver to excrete bile pigment (bilirubin). This can lead to yellow skin and eye discoloration (jaundice), which fluctuates in degree.

How is it diagnosed?

Gilbert’s syndrome is detected by finding a slightly raised bilirubin level in the blood with no other abnormalities of liver function and no signs of liver disease. Bilirubin is a major breakdown product of hemoglobin.

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is the major breakdown product that results from the destruction of old red blood cells (as well as some other sources). It is removed from the blood by the liver, chemically modified by a process called conjugation. The water solubility of bilirubin allows the bilirubin to be excreted into bile. Bile is then used to emulsify fats, to promote absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins. The bilirubin secreted into the bile, passes into the intestine and to some extent is reabsorbed from the intestine.

It is basically the pigment that gives feces its brown color.

Is it common?

Gilbert’s syndrome is surprisingly common, affecting approximately 2% to 5% of the population.

What are the symptoms?

Gilbert’s syndrome is generally harmless and does not produce any symptoms, although some sufferers complain of excessive fatigue. Gilbert’s syndrome does not require medical treatment or long term medical attention, and patients with this syndrome should not be led to believe that they have a liver disease. The major importance of establishing the correct diagnosis is so that the patient can be informed they do not have a serious disease, and unnecessary investigations can be avoided in the future.

Treatment and general recommendations

Those with Gilbert’s syndrome need only follow a healthy diet and avoid liver toxins such as excessive alcohol and liver toxic drugs. Bilirubin levels tend to rise if the diet is poor, and during fasting, or mild illnesses, which may cause the skin to yellow.

Recommended books

• ‘The Liver Cleansing Diet” contains the eight week eating plan to help improve liver function.
• “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life”. This book contains carefully designed juices to help with common health problems – this is a complete A to Z Guide of diseases and their specific healing juices.

Raw juicing

Raw juices are an incredibly powerful healing tool and can improve the function of the liver, bowels and kidneys. This increases the elimination of toxins and waste products from the skin.

Appropriate juice recipes found in “Raw Juices Can Save Your Life” book are as follows:

 Liver Tonic Juice

Ingredients

• 1 carrot
• 4.5 oz (125 g) fresh asparagus
• 4.5 oz (125 g) cucumber – leave skin on
• 1 orange
• 2 dandelion or 2 cabbage leaves

Method

1. Wash, trim and chop all ingredients and process in juicer.
2. Drink 2 to 3 small cups daily.

Liver Cleansing Juice

Ingredients

• 2 dandelion leaves or 2 spinach leaves or 2 large cabbage leaves
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets
• 1/4 cauliflower or 2 large Brussels sprouts
• 1 clove garlic or 1 small radish (optional)
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 1 apple, whole
• 1 lime or 1 lemon

Method

1. Wash, trim and chop produce and process through juicer. This juice is high in Vitamin C and sulfur compounds to cleanse the liver. This is a very strong mixture and may be diluted 1 part juice to 1 part water or you can dilute it with cold herbal or fruit flavored tea.
2. Drink 8 to 16 oz (250 to 500 ml) daily.

Options

• You may sweeten this juice by adding the following – strawberries, carrot and a small amount of beetroot.

Diet

• Follow the principles of ‘The Liver Cleansing Diet”.
• Avoid ALL dairy products – dairy foods contain high levels of antibiotics, steroids and artificial growth hormones, as this is what the herds are treated with in today’s high tech dairies to prevent disease and boost milk production. As with humans where substances go through into breast milk, it is the same for cattle.
• Avoid ALL margarines and similar type spreads manufactured from hydrogenated damaged fats.
• Avoid deep fried and fatty foods.
• Limit chicken and turkey and eggs that are not free range/organic as these often contain artificial growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids that increase the liver’s workload.
• Avoid artificial sweeteners.
• Follow the vital dietary principles such as often include – gluten free whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables, beetroot, artichoke, carrots, turmeric, lecithin. Indeed, 40 percent of the diet should consist of raw fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on green leafy vegetables.
• Drink eight glasses of water daily. Purified water with lemon is also excellent. Avoid – all processed and refined foods, refined sugars, fatty foods, fried foods, ‘junk’ foods, coffee, tea and soft drinks. Avoid overeating; eat small regular meals.

Diet for a healthy liver

The Liver Cleansing Diet is an 8-week eating plan that gives you plenty of variety and well balanced, nutritional meals.

Following The Liver Cleansing Diet, your metabolism will improve rapidly and you will start to burn fat. Then the process of weight loss begins naturally and without great effort from you. Conversely, if you eat the wrong foods, your liver will manufacture more fat so that you become a fat storer.

The Liver Cleansing Diet is not a trendy weight loss diet (although it is extremely effective for obesity), in contrast, it will become established as a household name for a long, long time because people who have used it sing it’s praises far and wide. Many fad diets come and go and indeed may be dangerous or make you miserable because they are far too restrictive and difficult to follow. In contrast, The Liver Cleansing Diet is easy and safe and is really a form of awareness or consciousness, which will give you the key to a strong immune system and healthy blood vessels.

Furthermore, The Liver Cleansing Diet is not a “kill joy” diet which only goodie goodies can follow. After the 8-week cleansing, you may continue to enjoy nice wines and spirits and if you desire, lean fresh red meats in moderation. If you don’t want to follow the 8-week plan, then that’s OK too, simply follow the vital principles for a healthy liver (see chapter 5 of “The Liver Cleansing Diet” book) and pick and choose recipes and foods that you enjoy. There are hundreds of delicious and easy recipes for soups, salads, dressings, sauces, dips, main courses and desserts and much more- there is so much variety you will never be bored or hungry!

By following the principles of The Liver Cleansing Diet and using nutritional supplements and liver tonics, it is possible to reverse many types of liver disease. This is even more so if these strategies are followed in the early to medium stages of disease.

Recommended supplements for Gilbert’s syndrome

• Livatone Plus Powder or Livatone Plus Capsules
  Take 1 teaspoon twice daily in juices or water, or 2 capsules twice daily – A good formula consisting of B vitamins, taurine, St Mary’s Thistle should be included to help the liver excrete bile pigment.
• N Acetyl L Cysteine (NAC)
  Take 2 capsules daily. N-acetyl cysteine increases glutathione production, which reduces inflammation and enhances detoxification.
• MSM Plus Vitamin C
  Take 1/2 teaspoon twice daily in juices or water – MSM is an organic sulfur which is vital for efficient liver function and detoxification.
• Fibertone
  Take 2 teaspoons and built up to 1 – 2 tablespoons over 2 weeks if necessary – A gluten free fiber powder is appropriate for everyone including vegetarians.
• Selenomune
  Take 1-2 capsules daily in water or raw juice – Selenium possesses anti-inflammatory effects and is an essential trace mineral that assists in the protection of many parts of the body.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.