What Foods Are High in Bilirubin?

Bilirubin is the sum of direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, mainly existing in bile. Clinically, it is used for the diagnosis of jaundice and is also an important indicator of liver function. The level of bilirubin can be affected by many factors, resulting in elevated or decreased levels. If bilirubin levels are low, it is necessary to consume foods rich in bilirubin for supplementation, which can have a certain effect. So, what are the foods rich in bilirubin?

Patients with elevated bilirubin levels should consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, such as radishes, spinach, cauliflower, apples, grapes, papaya, hawthorn, oranges, etc., to supplement the vitamins needed by the body and improve the immune system. Patients with elevated bilirubin levels should consume more protein-rich foods such as beef, pork, fish, eggs, milk, and soy milk. These foods can repair damaged liver cells and promote liver cell regeneration. It is important to note that when consuming meat, it should be in moderation and preferably not cooked by frying or grilling to avoid adding burden to the liver.

Patients with elevated bilirubin levels should consume more foods rich in dietary fiber such as oats, corn, sweet potatoes, konjac, etc. These foods can promote digestion and thus reduce the metabolic burden of the liver. Patients with elevated bilirubin levels should consume more mushroom-based foods because they contain a large amount of nutrients, such as black fungus, mushrooms, shiitake, coprinus, kelp, etc. These foods can enhance the immune system and inhibit the occurrence of cancer.

1. Massive Destruction of Red Blood Cells: When there is massive destruction of red blood cells in the human body, indirect bilirubin in the body will increase significantly. At this time, the liver cannot convert it all, leading to an increase in indirect bilirubin in the blood. The main causes of elevated bilirubin at this time are leukemia, severe anemia, malaria, hemolytic anemia, etc.

2. Liver Disease: The relationship between the liver and gallbladder is closely related, and liver and gallbladder diseases generally occur simultaneously. Patients with poor liver function may find elevated bilirubin levels during examination. Because the liver is the site of conversion of direct and indirect bilirubin, liver diseases reduce the conversion capacity of both types of bilirubin, resulting in elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. At the same time, patients with liver diseases may have obstacles in the excretion of direct bilirubin, causing it to flow back into the blood.

Patients with elevated bilirubin levels due to liver disease may experience symptoms such as yellow skin, yellow urine, and yellow eyeballs.

3. Biliary Diseases: Elevated direct bilirubin is commonly seen in biliary diseases. Direct bilirubin enters the intestine through the biliary tract. If the biliary tract is obstructed, direct bilirubin cannot enter the intestine smoothly and flows back into the blood, leading to elevated bilirubin levels. The main causes of elevated bilirubin at this time are gallstones, bile duct tumors, pancreatic cancer, etc.

4. Blood Transfusion Error: During blood transfusion in a hospital, if the blood type of the transfused blood does not match the patient's blood type, hemolysis may occur, destroying red blood cells and leading to the release of a large amount of indirect bilirubin into the blood, resulting in elevated bilirubin levels.

5. Neonatal Jaundice: Many newborns are diagnosed with jaundice symptoms at birth. However, many people do not understand why neonates have jaundice. In fact, it is because the blood type of the neonate does not match the mother's, leading to hemolysis and elevated bilirubin levels. At the same time, congenital biliary malformations in neonates can also cause elevated bilirubin levels.