Jaundice is a health condition characterized by a yellow hue in the whites of the eyes, as well as the skin. Although nutritional deficiencies are not directly linked to jaundice, an unbalanced diet may result in other health complications that have jaundice as a symptom. Consult with your health care adviser for diet recommendations and treatment options.
Background Information
According to MedlinePlus, there are three primary causes of jaundice: liver damage, more red blood cells than the liver is able to process or an unusually high amount of bilirubin, which is a chemical compound found in hemoglobin. If bilirubin is not eliminated quickly enough, it will accumulate in the bloodstream and be deposited in the skin, resulting in a yellow hue. Aside from the yellow hue, other symptoms of jaundice may include dark urine, light-colored stools, reduced appetite, vomiting, nausea, fever and abdominal discomfort.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Lacking certain vitamins or minerals may induce health conditions that are associated with jaundice. Anemia, for instance, is a blood disorder in which not enough red blood cells are produced. This condition often occurs due to a dietary lack of iron, folate or vitamin B-12. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the development of anemia as a result of vitamin or mineral deficiencies may result in jaundice.
Jaundice in Newborns
The Merck Manual states that nearly all newborns have yellow discoloration, or physiological jaundice; according to the March of Dimes, the figure is approximately 60 percent. Newborns can have breast milk jaundice, breastfeeding jaundice or physiological jaundice. Unlike physiological jaundice, breast milk jaundice occurs when a substance in the mother's milk interferes with the ability of the liver to break down bilirubin. If the newborn is not receiving enough milk, he may develop another type of jaundice known as breastfeeding jaundice. Jaundice in newborns is generally temporary and usually clears right up within the first month of diagnosis.
Considerations
While eating a nutritious diet may help to alleviate symptoms of jaundice, jaundice is usually an indication of a more serious health problem. If you experience other physical ailments alongside the jaundice, such as vomiting or abdominal discomfort, seek counsel from your health care provider as he may require that testing be done. Medical conditions that may cause jaundice include pancreatic cancer, viral hepatitis, noninfectious hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis or a blocked bile duct.
