Do People With Gilbert’s Syndrome Need to Avoid Certain Foods?
Gilbert’s syndrome is a harmless condition in which the liver doesn't properly process and excrete bilirubin, a yellowish pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. No specific treatment or diet recommendations exist for managing Gilbert’s syndrome due to its mild nature, but certain eating patterns may trigger jaundice in some people.
What Is Gilbert’s Syndrome?
Normally, bilirubin travels through your bloodstream to the liver, where the enzyme breaks down the pigment and removes it from the bloodstream.
Gilbert’s syndrome occurs due to an inherited gene mutation, and around one-third of all people with it don’t experience issues with day-to-day function. However, people with Gilbert’s syndrome can easily develop jaundice, which shows up as yellowing in the skin and whites of the eyes. No treatment is necessary for the mild symptoms of Gilbert’s syndrome.
Feeling under the weather is a common trigger for jaundice in those with Gilbert’s syndrome, says Talal Adhami, MD, a spokesman for the American Liver Foundation and a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “If there’s any febrile illness [fever], maybe an upper respiratory infection, this can increase the production of the bilirubin, which accumulates in the blood [of people with Gilbert’s syndrome],” Dr. Adhami says.
People with the syndrome may be more susceptible to jaundice when they are having a menstrual period, Adhami says, while fatigue and overexertion — running a marathon, for example — are other triggers. Dehydration, skipping meals, and stress can also serve as triggers.
Eating a Simple, Balanced Diet for Gilbert’s Syndrome
“There are no specific foods to avoid with Gilbert’s syndrome, and you should just aim for a normal caloric intake and balanced diet,” Adhami says. The condition doesn’t have any impact on your weight, but fasting can trigger symptoms, he adds.
“When you don’t eat for maybe 12 to 24 hours, this increases how much bilirubin moves from the fat tissue, which can enter the blood. In people with Gilbert’s syndrome, this can trigger an episode of jaundice,” Adhami explains. “A very low-fat or low-calorie diet can also stimulate jaundice symptoms,” he says.
How Hydration and Caffeine Affect Gilbert’s Syndrome
Monitoring fluid levels is also crucial for individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome. “Dehydration can trigger levels of bilirubin to rise,” Adhami says. People who are more prone to dehydration are those with diabetes, older adults, and people who take medication with a diuretic action (such as some blood pressure tablets that make you pee more).
The caffeine in your cup of joe can also act as a diuretic, Adhami says, so people with Gilbert’s syndrome might need to watch how much coffee and other caffeinated beverages they drink, particularly if they also take diuretic medication.
A good reminder of how much to drink comes from checking the color of your urine. If it’s clear, pale, or straw-colored, your hydration levels are healthy. If it’s darker, you may be dehydrated and should drink some more fluids — plain water being preferable.
Complications of Gilbert’s Syndrome
“Gilbert’s syndrome isn’t a disease and isn’t life-limiting or altering, but it can complicate other conditions,” Adhami says. Specifically, people with the syndrome who also have another condition that increases bilirubin levels, such as sickle cell anemia, run a higher risk of getting gallstones.
Having Gilbert’s syndrome may mean you may also not clear some medications from the body as quickly, including the cancer chemotherapy drug irinotecan (Camptosar) and specific protease inhibitors that form part of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). If you have Gilbert’s syndrome, always discuss this with your doctor when receiving a prescription for a new drug.
While it’s not a complication, people with Gilbert’s syndrome who have higher levels of bilirubin may actually have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, as low levels may increase the risk of hardened arteries (known as atherosclerosis).
The Takeaway
Gilbert’s syndrome is a mild liver condition that typically doesn’t require specific treatments or dietary changes, although doctors recommend maintaining a balanced diet.
Fasting and dehydration are potential triggers for jaundice in individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome, so staying well hydrated and avoiding prolonged periods without food are key.
Those with Gilbert’s syndrome should monitor their caffeine intake because it can cause dehydration and may interact with some medications.
While Gilbert’s syndrome itself isn’t dangerous, it may complicate conditions that similarly affect bilirubin levels. Consult with a healthcare provider about any new medications or underlying health concerns.
