Experiencing Symptoms Of Jaundice? Follow These Dietary And Lifestyle Modifications For Fast Recovery!

What to eat in jaundice?

• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables packed with digestive enzymes such as orange, lemon, avocado, apple, pineapple, papaya, mango, green leafy vegetables, garlic, beetroot, carrot, among all. These help in reducing bilirubin levels and curing jaundice. Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi etc., are also rich in digestive enzymes that improve liver function.

• Drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of purified or boiled water. It will help remove the excess bile produced by the liver while suffering from jaundice.

• Include milk thistle in your diet. It a herb (rich in antioxidants and contains silymarin) that helps in repairing damaged liver cells and clears toxins from the body. Include it in your salads, snacks or consume it by brewing it as a herbal tea for optimum results. But, in special cases like pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you are on prescribed medication, better consult a doctor before opting for milk thistle.

• Have more fibers, particularly soluble fibers. Eating high-fiber food such as whole grains, oatmeal, almonds, brown rice, quinoa etc., at each meal helps in removing excess bile from the liver and reducing toxicity.

• Stop consuming fried, oily, fast foods, and non-vegetarian food as these are packed with saturated and trans fat, which are difficult to digest and can aggravate jaundice and other liver failure conditions.

• Say no to packaged foods such as canned or smoked foods, especially deli meats, raw fish, shellfish, and canned vegetables. These contain high amounts of salt and preservatives, which can dehydrate the body and put stress on liver function.

• Avoid alcohol and tobacco completely. The toxic effect of alcohol and tobacco cause chronic inflammation of the liver and reduce liver function, thus aggravates jaundice.

• Restrict intake of refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta, soda, and baked foods, as all these contain high amounts of refined sugar. And consuming too much sugar can also build up fat in the liver.

• Get enough sunlight. The rays from the sun help in breaking down bilirubin, the agent causing yellowing of the skin in jaundice patients. Various studies also recommend sunlight therapy as a treatment for jaundice, especially in the case of neonatal jaundice.

• Take bath with warm water as it helps reduce stress and anxiety caused by jaundice. You may take immersion bath for 10 to 15 minutes in warm water mixed with neem leaves.
• Practice yoga forms like Matsyasana (fish pose) yoga, savasana, pranayama, bhujangasan, and uthanpadasan pose. These are very much beneficial and they promote fast recovery.
• Consider taking enough rest as it relieves the liver from its functions for that duration while recovering from jaundice. Take enough bed rest and do not engage in strenuous physical activities.