Category: diet

what you eat has a direct affect on how your body deals with all kinds of things, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly through your general health

Posted on

Are you more likely to get cancer if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome?

woman looking into a microscope while seated at a desk
Share

Please note that I am not medically qualified. If you have concerns about your health you should seek advice from a medically qualified professional. The information provided is based on publicly available sources, and is no substitute for personal healthcare. It is important to understand that there is much more research needed into Gilbert’s Syndrome, and no single study is definitive. 

Summary

  • If you have Gilbert’s Syndrome your UGT1A1 gene and enzyme are affected. It is not proven, but some think that this may also reduce your ability to deal with cancer causing toxins and hormones as well as drugs which treat cancer.
  • Depending on your heritage you may have different variations of the Gilbert’s Syndrome gene.
  • The gene variant most commonly causing Gilbert’s Syndrome has been linked to colorectal and lung cancer, and oestrogen which may affect breast cancer. 
  • However, there are no proven direct links to Gilbert’s Syndrome and getting cancer
  • This gene is one small part of a very complicated puzzle. There are many other factors in the development of cancer. These include your environment, diet, health, gender, age, background, and many other genes. 
  • It would take a great deal more research to prove a clear risk. 
  • What can you do to ensure you reduce your cancer risk? A healthy lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk of cancer. A diet that focuses on plants, regular moderate exercise such as walking in nature, a resilient mindset, good sleep and social networks all help reduce your risk.

Read on to find out more…

The gene that is thought to increase risk of cancer. 

Gilbert’s Syndrome is caused by a variation in your genes. The gene usually responsible is the UGT1A1*28 variant. This means you have 30% to 40%  less of an enzyme that processes bilirubin and certain toxins in your body. There are other variants that have been found to cause Gilbert’s Syndrome, such as UGT1A1*1, *6 and *36. These other variants are often linked to your heritage.

You can read more about the differences in some of the papers below

UGT1A1 is the only enzyme that can glucuronidate bilirubin.

When it comes to the relationship between the UGT1A1 enzyme, carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), and cancer risk, research has mainly looked at the enzyme’s role in metabolising certain drugs and toxins. Some carcinogens and toxins are processed by UGT1A1 through ‘glucuronidation‘, which helps your body get rid of them.

The role of UGT1A1 and its genetic variants to specific types of cancer can vary. Some studies have explored the link between UGT1A1*28 and certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer and lung cancer. The thinking behind these studies is that reduced UGT1A1 activity could affect the body’s ability to metabolise and eliminate certain carcinogens. It is thought that this potentially increases cancer risk. However, the results have been mixed and not always consistent across different populations and studies.

Digging deeper into the science

A number of case-control studies have investigated the thinking that the gene could be linked to cancer. These studies identified lots of different UGT variations in UGT1A and UGT2B genes as genetic risk factors for a wide variety of cancers. These include bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, and thyroid. These UGT variations may be cancer causing, or be linked to other UGT genes or neighbouring genes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26828111/

‘As recently reviewed [37], case-control studies have shown that a large number of genetic polymorphisms of UGT genes are associated with cancer development and progression. This is believed to be related to the critical roles of UGT enzymes in the systemic metabolism and clearance of carcinogens, cancer-modulating molecules, and anticancer drugs.’

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/17/4491/htm

Here are some of the studies looking into the link between the gene and cancer.

  • This study looked at the impact on breast cancer https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15111762/ ‘When stratified by age, carrying the *28 allele was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among women aged less than 40 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0-2.7) but not among women 40 years old and over (OR = 0.8; 0.7-1.1).’
  • Studies suggest that when people with this variant eat food containing cancer-causing chemicals, such as well-done red meat, less of the cancer-causing chemicals from the meat get deactivated [78].
  • A study in 765 people found that having two copies of UGT1A1*28 was associated with higher odds of having lung cancer [79].
  • Similar associations have been found for UGT1A1*28 and breast cancer (240 and 2130 subjects), and colon cancer (168 subjects) [80, 81, 82].

Conclusion

It’s important to note that cancer is a disease influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While the UGT1A1 enzyme’s role in metabolising carcinogens is relevant, it’s only one piece of the complex puzzle of cancer development. If you have concerns about your cancer risk you must consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalised guidance based on your medical history, genetic profile, and other risk factors.

How to reduce your cancer risk

You can’t reliably prevent yourself from getting cancer. But you can certainly reduce your risk considerably. Here are the top things you can do that are also great for you if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome = a win win!

If you need a health coach to help you achieve a healthy happy life with Gilbert’s Syndrome you can find out more here.

Share
Posted on

Calcium-D-glucarate helps fight Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms

Share

Studies show that Calcium-D-glucarate may help fight Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms. Here I unpack what it is and what it could do for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome. 

What is Calcium-D-glucarate?

Calcium-D-glucarate is naturally found in fruits and vegetables. It’s a combination of calcium with glucaric acid, and is similar to glucaric acid which is found in the body. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement due to its potential health benefits. 

What does Calcium-D-glucarate do and why does it help fight Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms?

Some studies show that Calcium-D-glucarate may have a positive effect on liver health and bile metabolism. It is believed that Calcium-D-glucarate may improve the detoxification process in the liver by increasing the excretion of certain toxins. Importantly for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome this includes bilirubin.

How does Calcium-D-glucarate help fight Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms?

It’s thought that Calcium-D-glucarate stops an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking the bond between glucuronic acid and toxins. This lets them be reabsorbed into the body instead of being eliminated. This means that by stopping beta-glucuronidase from working as well, Calcium-D-glucarate may help prevent the reabsorption of bilirubin and other toxins.

Here’s what happens in your body in medical terms: 

Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme that plays a role in the breakdown of bilirubin in the intestines. It acts by deconjugating bilirubin, converting it back into its unconjugated form, which is less water-soluble. Normally, bilirubin that has been conjugated by UGT1A1 in the liver is excreted into the intestines, where it is further metabolised and eliminated from the body. However, in individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome, the reduced UGT1A1 activity leads to impaired bilirubin conjugation. The presence of beta-glucuronidase in the intestines can cause an increased release of unconjugated bilirubin.

The increased activity of beta-glucuronidase can contribute to higher levels of unconjugated bilirubin. This makes the symptoms of Gilbert’s syndrome worse.

Here’s what this means in ordinary words-

Calcium-D-glucurate gets in the way of chemicals that increase bilirubin and so you can deal with it more easily, if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. 

Be cautious!

It is always important to note that the available research on Calcium-D-glucarate’s effect on bilirubin is limited. More studies are needed to establish how well it works in reducing Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms. 

Is it the right supplement for you?

Don’t forget – everyone responds differently to supplements too. You might have other conditions that mean that Calcium-D-glucarate isn’t right for you. It does other things, such as affect estrogen levels and some suggest its use for hormone related conditions :https://drbrighten.com/benefits-of-calcium-d-glucarate/. Make sure you check with your Doctor before taking it as it could affect other medications. 

You can increase your levels of the glucaric acid element by eating more apples, oranges, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. 

You can also decrease the beta-glucuronidase that may be worsening your symptoms by eating a healthy low fat diet, that includes plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Reducing smoking, alcohol and sugar may also help. Want to find out more about how your diet can help you live a happier life with Gilbert’s Syndrome? Check out this post https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/the-liver-diet/ You can find out more about food and nutrition to help with Gilbert’s Syndrome in the Posts ‘diet’ category here https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/category/diet/

If you decide you want to get a supplement, try this one. It has good reviews, although badged as for women due to its impact on hormones – you don’t have to be a woman to take it of course.

Want more help?

You can work with me as a health coach to support you in managing your Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms and improving your wellbeing. Find out more here https://wellandgoodlife.co.uk/

You can also take the Gilbert’s Syndrome Essentials course which gives you all the basics on Gilbert’s Syndrome and how to manage the top symptoms. Find out more here https://wellandgoodlife.co.uk/uncategorized/essentials-of-gilberts-syndrome-course/

So, it sounds like Calcium-D-glucarate just might have a positive impact on bilirubin levels by potentially enhancing the liver’s detoxification processes. However, further research is needed to fully understand its effects, and it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice if you plan to take a supplement. 

You can find out more here

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-136/calcium-d-glucarate

Share
Posted on

Fasting and Gilbert’s Syndrome

Share

I’m often asked ‘is fasting is ok to do with Gilbert’s Syndrome?‘.

I’d just like to unpack that question so we’re all on the same page.

Fasting can mean many things:

Restricting calories; not eating solid food or little solid food on selected days of the week; time limited eating – with a window of a specific number of hours; cutting out particular food groups. 

Fasting usually includes liquid, as it can be dangerous to become dehydrated. 

Why do people fast?

Cultural and religious traditions have included fasting throughout history.

People have used fasting as a tool to manage body weight, health, recover from illness, and manage resource availability where food or types of food aren’t available at times. 

There’s no doubt humanity has a long history of fasting – due to circumstances or design. 

But is it good for you?

If you are in good health and have no particular factors to consider  – such as a particularly active lifestyle, pregnancy, poor sleep, demands on time and emotional energy, then there can be many benefits. Certainly, from a religious and cultural perspective there are enriching elements to fasting. 

From a biomechanical point of view – is it good for your body, and your short and long term health? 

Many studies have involved male mice and healthy humans looking at intermittent fasting of various types. There are indications of improvements in some health measures such as blood pressure, glucose management, blood lipids (fats). In mice there have been some astonishing results demonstrating extended lifespan, which haven’t been replicated in humans. 

There are many different types of fasting studied, but it appears from recent research that keeping daily eating within a time window can be the easiest method of getting the most benefits. This is because it works with circadian rhythms – your body cycle, and takes advantage of when your body is best working to get the most from your food. 

Planning your eating, thinking about nutrition content, not eating too late, eating regularly – these are all excellent ways to support good health. This type of eating is in line with the best way to look after your body. 

I’ve written a post here about the issues you might consider if trying it out for yourself, and you have a chronic health problem….

… if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome then fasting for too long will trigger your symptoms. In fact, fasting is one of the ways Gilbert’s Syndrome is diagnoses for that very reason! Your body needs a steady supply of blood sugar for the reduced enzymes to work well. A 12 hour fast may work well for you, if you aren’t challenged by other issues and your liver isn’t over burdened. You will need to carefully monitor how you manage with fasting for your own context, and be aware it may not be the right thing for you.

If you want to explore fasting for health reasons, then there are a number of sources you might want to dig into. 

The US government National Institute of Health website, says:

Hundreds of animal studies and scores of human clinical trials have shown that intermittent fasting can lead to improvements in health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and neurological disorders. The evidence is less clear for lifespan effects. 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/research-intermittent-fasting-shows-health-benefits

Medical News Today has a good synopsis of some of the research, up to 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/intermittent-fasting-is-it-all-its-cracked-up-to-be#Potential-downsides

Dr Satchin Panda is a prominent researcher in the field of circadian rhythm and eating. You can listen to a recent Huberman podcast, where the most recent findings are discussed https://hubermanlab.com/dr-satchin-panda-intermittent-fasting-to-improve-health-cognition-and-longevity/

If you want to explore the topic further, check out the Circadian Code by Dr Satchin Panda, to find out how your body clock has an impact across your whole life experience. 

Fasting for cultural or religious reasons

Photo by Masjid MABA on Unsplash

If you are fasting for cultural or religious reasons, then I’d perhaps suggest considering some ways to make it less likely to trigger your Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms –

Manage your energy outputs whilst not eating. Plan as little activity as possible so that you don’t use up your energy stores. Your ability to efficiently access your energy stores may be limited due to your Gilbert’s Syndrome. Regular rest breaks may help you manage your energy levels. 

Emotional stress will also impact your symptoms – try to maintain a calm environment and reduce pressures during your fasting time. Don’t add heaps to your to do list, or schedule deadlines. Your brain uses up a great deal of energy, and you will end up with brain fog if you try to place mental pressure on yourself. This can also help if reflection is part of the fasting process.

When you do eat, try not to indulge in high sugar highly processed foods. These will create a boom and bust metabolic roller coaster. If your stomach is tender, then you might want to start with something light and easy to digest like a yoghurt, or a plain bread. Savour it slowly before taking the next bites. 

Replenishing nutrients will be important, so think about the balance of your meals – are there plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. The fibre in fruit and veg will also keep you fuller for longer too – balancing out any glucose spikes, and helping you manage your hunger into your next fasting period. 

Don’t over fill your stomach immediately or you may feel uncomfortable. For people with Gilbert’s Syndrome this is a particular problem as we have delayed gastric emptying. 

Hopefully some of these tips will help if you do fast for any reason. I wish you well on your fasting journey!

Have you been fasting with Gilbert’s Syndrome? Share your experience and help others who are considering it.

Share
Posted on

Beware B12 vitamin deficiency when you have Gilbert’s Syndrome

Share

Tell me more about B12…

B vitamins are vital for energy and to manage stress. Vitamin B12 is a superhero that helps support your red blood cells, nerves and is essential to your DNA, as well as many other processes in your body.

Why is understanding B12 vitamin deficiency even more important when I have Gilbert’s Syndrome?

For people with Gilbert’s Syndrome it’s particularly important to get enough of this vitamin because B12 deficiency can result in hyperbilirubinemia (the buildup of bilirubin in your body). Combined with Gilbert’s Syndrome this can be acute. But this symptom could also be dismissed because you have Gilbert’s Syndrome.  It’s vital to know you have Gilbert’s Syndrome, and its symptoms, so you can include that knowledge when in a medical situation. But it’s also important not to dismiss symptoms as JUST Gilbert’s Syndrome, when they could be something else. 

Having a B12 deficiency could give you similar symptoms to a Gilbert’s Syndrome flare up – so do not dismiss it when you feel unwell for longer than usual. 

If you don’t have enough B12 your ability to produce S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) is affected, which has been shown to help process bilirubin in people with Gilbert’s Syndrome.

Low on energy? Known as “The Energy Vitamin”, Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells and also helps maintain a healthy heart. A deficiency in B12 can cause you to feel tired and fatigued, affect your nervous system and can also cause anaemia. Click to learn more and for your discount!

From Dr Vegan

Cases and research showing impact of B12 deficiency on Gilbert’s Syndrome.

Case reports and research: 

You might be interested to read about this case, where a woman with vitamin B12 deficiency also had Gilbert’s Syndrome. Treatment with vitamin B12 led to much improved symptoms.

This article on ‘food fadism’ and GS increasing jaundice is also interesting.

(In my opinion, the headline is misleading. Many people will be eating a predominantly plant diet for a variety of reasons which may be economic, cultural or religious – not just a ‘fad’). It may be worth noting that in this study all but one of the patients are male, and this is in an Indian cohort – which has a different UGT1a1 string (the Gilbert’s Syndrome gene) to other populations. However the case report I also link to above is for a caucasian woman, and it does corroborate the findings. This means these findings are relevant across different biological variations of Gilbert’s Syndrome. 

The research illustrates the need to ensure your diet has the right nutrition, whatever foods you eat.

Many people may be below optimum ranges for B12. This study : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6540890/ shows that in India 47% of people may be deficient in B12 . Studies indicate that B12 deficiency may be at rates between 6% and 20% in the UK and US, 40% in South American countries, and up to 70% in countries on the continent of Africa. http://frankhollis.com/temp/BMJ%20B12%20deficiency%20review.pdf This is from a 2014 paper, and more recent studies 

Important things to take away from the research about B12 vitamin deficiency and Gilbert’s Syndrome. 

What’s important to note is that there are two main implications 

  1. You may have jaundice for a reason that is not directly due to Gilbert’s Syndrome, even if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome
  2. B12 deficiency will likely make your jaundice and other symptoms WORSE:

‘aggravating pre-existing indirect hyperbilirubinemia in Gilbert’s syndrome patients’

If you have jaundice that is not clearing up, or prolonged fatigue, brain fog etc – then it is always worth checking if there are other causes. If B12 deficiency is the cause then simple supplementation will have a considerable positive effect. Which is worth knowing!

What could cause B12 deficiency?

Causes of B12 deficiency are usually one of the following:

  • Age:  As we get older our stomach acid reduces which means we don’t break down the B12 into forms that can be absorbed easily by our body.  
  • Medical conditions: such as Celiac or Crohn’s disease will prevent the stomach from absorbing B12 properly, as will gastric bypasses or stomach parasites. You may also have a condition called pernicious anaemia, which results in B12 deficiency.
  • Some medications: such as metformin (used to support people with diabetes) and proton pump inhibitors (stomach acid suppressants) will interfere with how B12 is broken down and absorbed. 
  • Diet: if you aren’t careful to ensure that you are regularly eating food that contains B12, then you may become deficient over time. Modern industrial farming methods have depleted natural sources of B12 in our food.
  • https://www.nutranews.org/en–vitamins–is-everyone-lacking-in-vitamin-b12-why-is-there-such-widespread-deficiency-what-are-the-consequences–1481

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency – and why you should know about them if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome symptoms. 

For milder deficiency you may feel tired, be pale or jaundiced if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. You may get dizzy and feel weak, your heart may beat too quickly. A sore tongue and loss of appetite, plus other digestive disturbances might occur.

Longer term, more serious deficiencies can have very serious impacts. You may become clumsy as you lose nerve control and there is neurological damage. It may feel like you have dementia as your memory is impaired. You may even experience hallucinations and psychosis. Heart conditions and infertility can also result. 

What range is normal for B12?

The normal range for vitamin B12 can vary slightly depending on the lab. But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing. Below 200 pg/mL is low and more testing is needed.

More on deficiency

It can take a long time for deficiency to occur as the body stores last for a long time. 

How should I make sure I am not B12 vitamin deficient?

In the past we absorbed it from the soil that produced our food. Modern farming and intensive production have exhausted our soil and sanitised our food. Now, sources of food that have B12 have to be fortified. You can get B12 from eating animals, but that’s because they’ve been given supplements themselves. You can cut out the middle by going straight to the supplement. https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/vegan-diet/the-truth-about-b12-and-where-to-get-it-on-a-vegan-diet/

Taking a supplement is an easy way to get around a deficiency. It’s thought to be safe to take in any volume, as it is water soluble and so too much will be passed out of the body. Only a small amount of the supplement version is absorbed. This fact sheet gives different B12 amounts based on source, and the percentage absorption of separate supplements.

You may need more if you are older or breastfeeding, for example. If you are already deficient then extra may be taken for a while ahead of reducing to a maintenance supplement. 

If you have a condition that affects the stomach or bowel, such as Crohn’s, you may need injections rather than an oral supplement. 

How much B12 should I take?

In the US the National Institute of Health recommends 2.4mcg for an adult, more for a pregnant person. In the UK the  NHS recommends 1.5mcg.

Dietary supplements

Vitamin B12 is available in multivitamin/mineral supplements, in supplements containing other B-complex vitamins, and in supplements containing only vitamin B12. 

Multivitamin/mineral supplements typically contain vitamin B12 at doses ranging from 5 to 25 mcg (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional). Vitamin B12 levels are higher, generally 50–500 mcg, in supplements containing vitamin B12 with other B-complex vitamins and even higher, typically 500–1,000 mcg, in supplements containing only vitamin B12.

The most common form of vitamin B12 in dietary supplements is cyanocobalamin. Other forms of vitamin B12 in supplements are adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, and hydroxycobalamin .

No evidence indicates that absorption rates of vitamin B12 in supplements vary by form of the vitamin. 

Basically – you can take a little extra in the form of a multivitamin, or you can focus on your B vitamins or B12 in particular, in which case you’ll get a larger dose. However, the type of B12 and massively increasing the dose to above 1,000mcg isn’t going to substantially increase your level of B12 absorbed. 

This supplement from Drvegan is high quality and dedicated to keeping your B12 topped up!

Final thoughts on staying well

The great news is that it’s easy to treat deficiency with supplementation and mild symptoms will quickly improve. More importantly, many people could have less than optimal B12 levels, which shows how important balanced nutrition is. 

A plant based diet is great for health and yeast extract and yeast flakes can be an important addition. Or – cereal, bread, multivitamins may all include your essential B12. 

Not everyone has the resources to afford food that has the best nutrition, or age, illness or other factors may mean that their food isn’t providing what is needed for good health. 

In the UK we are fortunate that our NHS Doctors will usually seek a blood test when symptoms mentioned present themselves. This would quickly highlight any concerns. The solution is then simple and cost effective. 

With increasingly poor diet quality and depletion of soil quality, it is important to be aware that your food intake may need to be addressed to ensure you get the best from it. Simple adjustments can balance out any gaps. You could address issues that are making you feel much worse than you need to, and are exacerbating your Gilbert’s Syndrome! 

More background reading sources on B12:

By staying informed you are taking a step towards protecting your good health and wellbeing. Try out the health and nutrition tips on the website.

Stay up to date with the research through these posts by subscribing. 

Follow @GilbertsSyndrom on twitter for regular tips and support. 

Get health coach support to ensure you are looking after your wellbeing with someone trained to help.

Wishing you good health and wellbeing!

image Michelle Blackwell Unsplash https://unsplash.com/photos/przZDqzZKpk

Share
Posted on

Free apps to help you live well with Gilbert’s Syndrome

Share
Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash

There are lots of free apps available that could add to your quality of life. This post shares some that you might like to try. Maybe they can help you to deal with symptoms of Gilbert’s Syndrome, such as anxiety, as well as to support a healthier lifestyle. I’ve focused on free to use ones, so that there are no barriers to access (apart from having a smartphone!). Some also have websites if you don’t have a phone. Why not share any you have found useful by adding a comment?

Anxiety is a main symptom for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome.  There are plenty of apps that have tried and tested methods for helping people with anxiety and other mental health issues.

Insight timer is an app (and website) that provides free meditations and soothing soundscapes. You can listen to recordings, join classes and even add your own content! It’s a lovely community of folks from every tradition and there’s bound to be something that will fit your needs. The website is here https://insighttimer.com/

Calm is a well regarded app with free elements, although you can access most of its features if you pay a subscription. Check out the website here https://www.calm.com/

Sleep is closely associated with anxiety, and the two apps above may help improve your sleep. There are some that specifically deal with sleep. A good night’s sleep is really important if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. It can help manage anxiety and prevent fatigue.

Tide. The app plays relaxing music that lulls you to sleep. It can actually stop the track once you’ve fallen asleep! Tide has a light wake-up alarm that awakens you during your lightest sleep phase. It also has calming breathing exercises, where your breathing in and out is guided by sound. Find out more here https://tide.fm/en_US/

PrimeNap. This app comes with sensor-assisted sleep tracking and an activity log so you can see how your day’s choices affect your sleeping patterns. Extra bells and whistles include a screen dimmer, sleep sounds, and dream journal. It doesn’t appear to have a website, however.

Food is a key ingredient in managing your health and wellbeing. Making positive choices will boost your energy, reduce unpleasant symptoms, and help you feel happier.

Feeleat – as a health and nutrition coach I’m always looking for an app to help people keep track of what they’re eating and how it affects them. It’s the first step in any food for health journey. Recording what you eat and how you feel is really powerful especially if working alongside a coach to find the best nutrition that works specifically for you. You could just begin by using it along with tips on gilbertssyndrome.org.uk , and see how you get on.  Here’s their website https://www.feeleat.fr/en/

Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen. Highly rated, this app gives you a simple way of tracking easy healthy additions to your food. Dr Greger’s science backed approach is also not for profit – all proceeds from his books, etc go to charity.  The full website is here (you can also get a regular email) https://nutritionfacts.org/

Exercise is important in dealing with your mental health, sleep and energy levels. It can be a tricky subject if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome, as exercise must be moderated alongside your symptoms. If you over do it, you may kick off side effects such as fatigue, jaundice and nausea. In my experience moderate intensity exercise that you have built up to tolerate well will offer you the main benefits of exercise.

BetterPoints – get rewarded for exercise! There are a few apps that award vouchers or prizes for walking or exercising check out your app store to see which will work best for you https://www.betterpoints.ltd/app/. I use one that rewards me for walking the dog, which I love, called Biscuit, https://biscuitpetcare.com/ but you may not have a dog!

Couch to 5k, is an app produced by the NHS in the UK. This app aims to give you support to get yourself to a foundational level of fitness that will actually transform your health and wellbeing. Great if you are starting out to explore how to gently get yourself fitter.  You can find out more on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-and-aerobic-exercises/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

Tree ID is a lovely app for identifying trees when you are out on a walk. Makes a walk more fun and educational!  Find out more here at the Woodland Trust website https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/tree-id-app/

Life saving! I had to add this one, as it just might save your life or someone else’s.

St John Ambulance first aid app is highly regarded for supporting lifesaving actions if you are ever in a situation where it is needed. It will walk you through how to deliver simple lifesaving actions. Worth knowing whatever happens!  You can find out more about the lifesaving work of St John Ambulance here https://www.sja.org.uk/ and more about the app here https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/free-first-aid-app/

I hope you find some useful and interesting applications here. There are always new ones coming on to the market too. Why not share any you know of that have helped you, by adding to comments below. That way we can help each other life a better life with Gilbert’s Syndrome.

Share
Posted on

Tips for Gilbert’s Syndrome and holiday celebrations

Share

Here are some tips for a healthy happy celebration if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome, and a free gift from me to you. If you can help with a gift in return, you’ll be supporting the thousands of people who come to this website to find information to help them live better with Gilbert’s Syndrome.

  1. Alcohol can be a pleasure and a pain. If you do drink alcohol, know your limits and if you do choose to drink then decide ahead of time how much and when – don’t get caught up and feel appalling for days afterwards. Read more about alcohol here

2. Rest – if you’re reaching an end of year celebration and holiday, or a celebration after a period of fasting or preparing for a large family gathering, you may be emotionally depleted after a hard year. Be kind to yourself and remember to take time to rest. Your body will feel more tired during winter, for example, due to short daylight hours. Take Vitamin D to support your immune system. Ironically, if you are rested and less stressed your sleep will also be better.

3. Exercise – just 20 to 30 minutes a day in the fresh air will invigorate you. Use it as time to reflect on the things you are grateful for and you’ll have a double boost. Thinking grateful thoughts has been scientifically proven to improve mood for the long term. You’ll be taking care of your body and mind this way. 

4. Eat right – ok, we’re all looking forward to some special foody treats during celebration periods. If you have Gilbert’s Syndrome you are probably already familiar with the ‘food hangover’. Rich, fatty, sugary food = nausea, indigestion and abdominal discomfort. It can leave you feeling sluggish and with brain fog the next day. You don’t have to cut it all out – just don’t overdo it. Again, it’s important to know your limits and work out your toleration levels. Remember to include some of the foods that are really good for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome and may be abundant if you are reaching an end of year celebration: broccoli, cauliflower, greens, brussel sprouts, beetroot etc. See your free gift below…

5. Be kind to others. Kindness actually makes you feel good! There’s science behind that one.

My gift to you is a free recipe booklet with simple recipes that will help you feel healthier and live better with Gilbert’s Syndrome. Yes, it does include a burger, fries and apple crumble AND it’s healthy!!! If you can make a kind gift to help provide life changing advice for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome please click here:


Share
Posted on

Fatigue – or how can I boost my energy?

Share

As many as one in five people feel fatigued at any time. If you’ve been feeling exhausted then you’ll want to know: Why am I so tired all the time; how can I get more energy?

Fatigue – what is it?

Fatigue is a symptom of many health conditions and life circumstances. Technically fatigue is one or more of these:

  • Overwhelming exhaustion that lingers beyond a good night’s sleep
  • Sleepiness and a lack of motivation to move about that doesn’t go away if you rest
  • A limiting lack of energy that prevents you from getting normal tasks done
  • Feeling like your muscles are too heavy and moving about takes energy you don’t have
  • Foggy achy head, finding it difficult to think or concentrate
  • Apathy and disinterest – everything feels too much

If you feel like this for more than a few days, for a reason that’s not clear, then you must see your doctor.

Is fatigue common?

Yes! Numerous studies across different populations show fatigue is common. You can find many studies, such as this one https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5557471/ which illustrate that women tend to report fatigue more than men, and those of lower socioeconomic status also experience more fatigue. Across populations it appears above 20% of people report fatigue. 

What causes fatigue?

Excessive tiredness can be caused by simple or serious health conditions. Common deficiencies of vitamins and minerals have tiredness as a symptom. There are many life circumstances which can leave you feeling exhausted. Let’s look at a few in more detail:

Life Stage : A new baby, a new job, grief or a crisis, moving house, caring responsibilities, overwork, stress at home or in the workplace.

Medical conditions: commonly, as you can see on the NHS website, and the Mayo Clinic , conditions causing fatigue include diabetes, depression, cancer, thyroid, coeliac disease, fibromyalgia, liver problems, MS, hormonal changes, heart disease and sleep apnoea, and so many more. This is why it is so important to receive a diagnosis if you experience fatigue which doesn’t let up over time. 

Deficiencies: Iron deficiency (experienced by many women with heavy or prolonged periods), Vitamin D deficiency (common if you live in the northern hemisphere where we aren’t exposed to strong sunlight which generates vitamin D), magnesium (particularly common in women), and an imbalance in good nutrition generally. Some people have metabolic conditions which prevent them from absorbing nutrients well and this can result in multiple deficiencies.

Poor choice of foods which attack energy levels: Food high in sugar or refined carbohydrates provide instant energy. Your body will then have a crash in blood sugar which will make you feel exhausted. Wholegrains, plant based proteins, and wholefoods containing natural sugars will balance your energy levels and make you feel a whole lot better. A high intake of caffeine may also leave you struggling later in the day. (For more about the pro’s and cons of caffeine read this).

A combination of the above!

Unpicking the causes of your fatigue is really important. You must rule out serious health problems, working with your Dr.

Does Gilbert’s Syndrome cause fatigue?

For people with Gilbert’s Syndrome lack of energy is a really commonly reported symptom. I hear all the time from people desperate with debilitating exhaustion, with energy levels that are unpredictable.

There are a number of reasons why people with Gilbert’s Syndrome may feel exhausted. 

  • Reduced liver function. If you eat highly refined carbohydrates such as white bread or sugary things, your blood sugar will rise and fall a lot. This means the enzyme we’re deficient in cannot work as well as it needs blood sugar. The result is your liver won’t do its cleaning job effectively and certain toxins and bilirubin will build up in your body. Typically feelings of exhaustion, jaundice, itching and nausea are reported. You may feel a bit like you have a persistent hangover.  Of course consuming toxins may add to that effect, eg alcohol.
  • Delayed gastric emptying. Food takes longer to leave your stomach if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. I’m sure many recognise the abdominal discomfort that entails! This has been linked to fatigue .  It is also worth noting that it is also linked to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Which itself has often been linked to Gilbert’s Syndrome.
  • Excess serotonin. People with Gilbert’s Syndrome have defective processing of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals that send messages around the brain and nervous system). This can lead to raised levels of Serotonin for example, which is linked to feelings of lethargy and lack of motivation as well as anxiety.

How do I get more energy?

Assuming you don’t have a particular condition or issue that is causing you to feel exhausted, then there are four simple foundations to build your energy on

  1. Good Nutrition
  2. Exercise 
  3. Good Sleep
  4. Mental resilience

The great thing about these four things is that they support each other. 

Eat well and be properly nourished and you’ll exercise better and get better sleep. Better sleep will help you be mentally resilient and give you more muscle energy for exercise. Exercise will help you be more mentally resilient etc etc 

  1. Good Nutrition. A plant based whole food diet has been overwhelmingly shown to provide you with the most sustained energy, lifespan and wellbeing. Eating a variety of plants, legumes, nuts, seeds and wholegrains will ensure you don’t need any vitamin supplements. With all food patterns you need to make sure you aren’t missing anything out. For vegans that means ensuring you get Vitamin B12. Things that will suck your energy and not enhance your wellbeing include refined sugar, other refined and processed foods. If you want the ultimate nutrition facts then dig in here nutritionfacts.org and buy the book ‘How not to die’ . I offer other thoughts on foods to eat here https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/the-liver-diet/ https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/detox-diets-and-gilberts-syndrome/ https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/sesame-magic-for-your-liver/ The How Not to Die cookbook has lots of tasty recipes and you can see from the reviews that many readers report increased energy.
  2. Exercise should ideally be a mix of activities that raise your heart rate and which challenge your posture and muscles both in terms of flexibility and density. Walking briskly combined with pilates (plenty free videos on youtube) are simple cost free and energising. If you aren’t up to a great deal of exercise, then just start with walking a small distance and build up. Even standing up for a while engages muscles. Adding in exercise is something that needs to become a habit or you won’t stick to it. Stand up whilst you are on the phone or watching a favourite programme, take a 20 minute walk at lunchtime, do squats in the shower or whilst brushing your teeth, dance to a favourite song for 5 minutes when you get home from work. Every bit of movement is helping you stay fit and well.
  3. Good quality sleep is vital. Research shows that our circadian rhythm (our body clock) is really important to when we feel awake and when we sleep well. Just making sure your bedroom is really dark can make a big difference to your body clock. Getting plenty of light in the morning will also help you feel alert and awake during the day and sleep better in the morning. There are lots of ways to deal with bad sleep – which I won’t go into here. It’s enough to say that regular sleep hours in a dark room without interruption are fundamental to good quality sleep. There are many books on the subject. Try the popular ‘Sleep Smarter’ by Shawn Stevenson  
  4. Mental resilience is a quality many of us feel we could develop more. It enables you to put the ups and downs of life into perspective. With mental resilience you will better cope when something bad happens in your day or your life, and will worry less about it. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t worry, be upset, grieve or be without feelings. It means you can do those natural things and then move on in time. If you want to understand more about living without anxiety you can buy ‘The Anxiety Solution’ by Chloe Brotheridge or find resources at www.calmer-you.com and Chloe’s podcast. You can also find out more about mental resilience and ‘grit’ here https://positivepsychology.com/5-ways-develop-grit-resilience/ Another great way to build up your mental resilience is through meditation. If it isn’t something you have considered or have found difficult in the past, then you could try these simple and effective tools from Mind Cards:

If you are doing the right things and are still feeling fatigued then you really need your doctor’s help to look into underlying medical conditions. 

Your personal biology will need a personalised response so that it works the best way it can for you and your circumstances. 

Sometimes this may mean prescription medication or balancing up other elements of your nutrition, supplements or lifestyle. 

Beating fatigue in Gilbert’s Syndrome

So, let’s take a look at what this might mean if you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. As mentioned, there are specific reasons you’ll feel fatigued. Everyone with Gilbert’s Syndrome will have other things going on for them too – other chronic conditions, lifestyle or life stage issues, hormonal changes etc. This means that some things may work some of the time and you may need to adjust because of what is going on for you right now. 

What you put in is key to what you get out

Many people with Gilbert’s Syndrome steer clear of alcohol as it really messes with their wellbeing and energy levels. You may want to consider this for other chemicals and potential toxins to lighten the load on your liver. This would mean a plant based wholefood diet which avoids processed and refined foods. Ideally organic! Particularly good foods include broccoli, nuts and seeds. https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/the-liver-diet/ . Keep it low in refined sugar and make sure to include limited good fats of plant origin. 

Drinking plenty of water will also ensure you stay hydrated and support the removal of toxins from your body. 

Eat little and often. For a couple of reasons. 

1) to maintain stable blood sugar levels 

2) with delayed gastric emptying a large meal will make you feel uncomfortable and make it harder to move about. 

This isn’t an excuse to pack in more food, unless that means eating more vegetables! Look at what you would like to eat over the day or week and portion it out. If you do it ahead of time you won’t have to think about it. 

Antidepressants in the form of SSRI’s (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) can help for some people. If you feel your anxiety or low mood are overwhelming then you must speak to your doctor and get their advice and diagnosis. These are also prescribed for IBS (again, something that people with Gilbert’s Syndrome have a high rate of) and may be a useful treatment option to consider – in dialogue with your doctor. This may improve your sleep, mental resilience and energy levels. However, as some people with Gilbert’s Syndrome may have raised levels of serotonin, as mentioned above, then you need to be cautious of side effects. Some brands may work better than others.

Supplements. Extra ingredients that can give you a boost or added support to your system are basically just plants in powdered form in a capsule. Some of the supplements offering additional energy balancing and support include types of ginseng, rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha etc available at Approved Vitamins and have been used safely for thousands of years. I list some supplements you can try in the Resources section. https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/resources/

I use rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha and have seen an impressive improvement in my ability to function. I occasionally add in gotu kola towards the end of the week or if I’ve not had a great night’s sleep, or have extra physical or mental demands. It works like a really gentle caffeine that doesn’t have the come-down effects.

Some people find caffeine works well at the right points of the day – find out more about caffeine here and let us know how it makes you feel https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/gilberts-syndrome-and-caffeine/

Sleep appears to be a really important factor in feeling well, when you have Gilbert’s Syndrome. A good 8 hours can make a world of difference. Some of the supplements I mention above can help sleep. Follow the suggestions in the four foundations section above. Resist the temptation to lie in bed and doze or rest without sleep. This won’t help you sleep later. Keep bed for specific night time hours if you can, and keep your sleep routine and hours regular. Being active during the day will help you sleep better later.

Anxiety can stop you sleeping and suck your energy whilst awake. If it’s overwhelming then seek help from your Dr. I mention Chloe Brotheridge’s work above, but also Mind and other websites have many pointers for help. Mindfulness is a well founded technique for calming your mind and should guarantee better sleep and more energy. You can find some free apps here. As mentioned above, these are also a really simple and effective tool to help try mediation:

I’d really like to hear what your experience is. If you follow the lifestyle above has it changed your energy levels? I found becoming vegan, eating plant based, adding in supplements and building mental resilience transformed my energy levels. What’s worked for you? Please comment. 

Remember – many people feel fatigued. There are basic principles to seize more energy. Plus – there’s the magic ingredient of you and your physiology to consider. Get medical support where needed, and understand your health conditions. You’ll then be in control of your energy and your life. 

Share
Posted on

Sesame – magic for your liver!

Share

Can you take a moment to help with a survey on caffeine use? It won’t take a minute or two and the information could help us all live better with Gilbert’ Syndrome.

These small seeds pack a protein punch and produce more oil than most nuts or seeds. They bundle in calcium, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorous and Vitamin B1. Sesame seeds have properties that protect the liver, reduce inflammation and pain, level out blood sugar and reduce cholesterol. They are purported to be anti-cancer, anti-aging, and are antioxidant. 

‘A 2013 study by researchers from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences reported that 40 grams of sesame seeds were better than Tylenol when it came to alleviating the pain caused by knee arthritis.’

Wow! With that much going on – why not get the wok out and start stir frying with a dash of sesame seed oil, ginger, garlic and some sliced veg right now! 

Studies indicate that sesame could be a ‘hepatoprotectant’ or liver protector. 

So what does sesame do?

Your liver faces stresses from toxins all around us: pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fumes and particulates in the environment, additives in food and overindulging in alcohol or other toxic stimulants and relaxants. It seems that sesame could be a much needed support for the liver, struggling with modern toxic impacts.

The technical bit: sesame maintains levels of glutathione (a potent antioxidant), reducing free radicals and inhibiting the oxidation of fats. (Antioxidants fight free radicals which damage the cells of your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced because of environmental pressures on your system). 

So, in more straightforward terms – sesame helps the good stuff in your body fight off the damage to your body caused by those toxins that we’re swallowing and surrounded by. 

Sesame also appears to be safe for you. As sesame can change blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure, then do be careful if you have diabetes or already low blood pressure. 

If you want to protect your liver, boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, reduce cancer risk and boost vital nutrients, then adding sesame into your diet is a great choice. Tahini (sesame seed paste) and sesame seed oil, as well as the seeds themselves, are available in all supermarkets, and can be used in cooking, spread on toast, added to dressings, used to make hummus, stir frys and so much more. 

To buy :

For recipes try this : ‘the magic of tahini’
Whilst you’re at The Vegan Kind Supermarket, you can stock up on these store cupboard essentials:

Meridian organic sesame oil 
Suma organic sesame seeds 
Al Fez tahini

Or from Amazon: Hatton Hill 1kg of sesame seeds

For more resources, food and supplements go here: https://gilbertssyndrome.org.uk/resources/

Sources:

https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/sesame-oil-may-heal-liver-damage

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1514/sesame

Sesame seeds may relieve liver damage caused by modern drugs
Share
Posted on

Hack your liver to improve your mental health

Share

We’re all talking more about mental health and that’s really important for people with liver conditions. Liver condition or not – looking after your liver and your mental health will lead to a happier healthier life. 

There’s a ton of evidence that liver disease relates to mental health:

These are serious clinical problems, but whether or not you have a liver condition,  if you aren’t looking after the organ that cleans all the rubbish out of your system (yes, that’s your liver), then you will feel like the bottom of a well used cat litter tray!

This is a two-sided coin – look after one and the other improves. Great! That means you’ve twice the opportunity to feel better. 

There are signs that your liver is stressed, and you should always go to your doctor if you experience jaundice, aches and pains, digestive problems, fatigues, darker urine, mood swings, weight loss, etc https://pharmeasy.in/blog/7-signs-you-suffer-from-liver-stress/

I’m not a doctor and this is not medical advice, this information is from research I’ve linked to (if you want to dig deeper) and curated with additional resources from well regarded books by scientists, doctors and other reputable authors. Links to those books will give me a small commission if you choose to make a purchase – just so we’re clear 😊

Diet

Everything you eat or drink passes through your liver – so let’s start there. 

Alcohol is a well known liver toxin. It’s also an emotional crutch and widely abused. You feel bad so you drink more, it harms your liver, you feel worse, you drink more – it’s a vicious downward spiral. Any alcohol will stress the liver, and if you have a liver condition it will do so even more. If you want to save your liver, and your mental health, save the alcohol for never if you have a liver condition, or in moderation if you are otherwise healthy. Here’s more on that:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alcohol-good-or-bad#section15

Sorting out the health effects of alcohol

Good food feels great! There are tons of wonderful foods that will help your liver and you feel great! Eat more of the good things and you will also keep a healthy weight which will prevent you from getting a fatty liver too.

Some of the foods that work best for supporting the liver include broccoli (and other ‘cruciferous’ veg such as cabbage, cauliflower and radishes), avocados, tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, fruits (apples, lemons, grapefruits) and nuts (Nuts are a good source of glutathione, omega-3 fatty acids that help the liver evacuate ammonia, the substance responsible for certain diseases. They also promote blood oxygenation https://www.myliverexam.com/en/detoxification-some-food-to-cleanse-your-liver/), garlic and turmeric. If you eat healthy food I guarantee you’ll feel better all round. I’m vegan and totally advocate for a completely plant based diet if you want to feel great, full of energy and bright-eyed (yup, helps with the jaundice). You can find out more about food and diets in the books below. 

Sugar – sorry, but it really does make you feel rubbish. Especially if you have a liver condition, such as Gilbert’s Syndrome, your liver will work better if you have a steady blood sugar level https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390583/. This is because the chemicals used by liver processes need steady blood sugar levels to be able to work. Plus, your liver does the hard work in managing your blood sugar levels when they’re high or you need to draw on energy for your muscles http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2012/feb/the-liver-s-role-how-it-processes-fats-and-carbs.html Too much sugar means your liver bgins to store it as fat and ultimately damages the liver. Keeping steady blood sugar levels can be achieved by  eating little and often, and not going long periods without food, plus not relying on high sugar snacks when you feel lethargic. For those of us with liver conditions who have trained their body to love good food just looking at a piece of cake can make me feel sick. If it’s a real treat for you though, don’t deny yourself completely, just don’t make it a daily crutch that keeps you on the uphill treadmill of feeling knackered and rough. 

Read this :

Oh my gosh – Dr Greger is just the most-evidenced expert in nutrition I have ever come across. Honestly, this should be your bible for living a healthy life and feeling great. It’s so persuasive you will be completely convinced and so much more likely to stick to a healthy way of eating: How Not To Die: Discover the foods scientifically proven to prevent and reverse disease by Dr Michael Greger

The Dalai Lama and Daily Mail both think Dr Greger is on the money!

This book may help those who are susceptible to illnesses that can be prevented with proper nutrition. — His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Dr Michael Greger reveals the foods that will help you live longer, Daily Mail

Get the cookbook to go with it: The How Not To Die Cookbook: Over 100 Recipes to Help Prevent and Reverse Disease

#BOSH! Healthy Vegan: Over 80 brand-new recipes with less fat, less sugar and more taste. As seen on ITV’s ‘Living on the Veg’ by Henry Firth, Ian Theasby

Healing Through Nutrition: The Essential Guide to 50 Plant-Based Nutritional Sources by Eliza Savage

Mental wellbeing

There are so many resources that can help your mental health. The less stressed you are the better your liver will work too. ‘Growing scientific evidence has demonstrated the detrimental effects of psychosocial stress on liver diseases in humans and animals ’http://www.ijcem.com/files/ijcem0089076.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16460474/

You can get pretty much instant results from some simple activities, and longer term calm through regular practice. 

Breathing deeply and slowly has a powerful impact on your nervous system. You feel calm instantly! https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/ways-relieve-stress/

Be kind – just do one kind thing, and your brain actually produces happy hormones! https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/kindness_makes_you_happy_and_happiness_makes_you_kind

Meditation has been clinically proven to alter your brain for the better, https://www.healthline.com/health/meditation-for-depression#how-to-try-it

Exercise – a total liver/brain/body hack. Fortunately you don’t have to be a gym bunny or have an olympian body to do this one. Just get outside for a half hour stroll every day for starters. Yes, you WILL feel better. 

Here are some resources to check out to explore this one further. Find what works for you and your lifestyle:

Read this :

The 4 Pillar Plan: How to Relax, Eat, Move and Sleep Your Way to a Longer, Healthier Life Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Chloe Brotheridge is trained in so many disciplines and has a hungry mind for finding ways to live more calmly and confidently. Check out her website and podcasts, at calmer-you.com and buy her book The Anxiety Solution: A Quieter Mind, a Calmer You

These are books by scientists who use proven methods to improve your mental wellbeing –

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World (Includes Free CD with Guided Meditations) by Professor Mark Williams, and Dr Danny Penman

The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive by Dr Kristin Neff, a world leading expert in this field

Other resources:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/self-care-for-anxiety/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategies

Meditation and mindfulness websites https://www.calm.com/ / https://www.headspace.com/

For young people https://youngminds.org.uk/

For men https://www.thecalmzone.net/

If you need more help, then you can try these helplines and websites

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Extra Science bit for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome

People with Gilbert’s Syndrome may experience anxiety and IBS / gut symptoms. Findings that may explain this are the relationship between serotonin levels in the blood and your brain / gut. There’s a tendency for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome to have too much serotonin in the blood – something called hyperserotoninaemia http://www.hormones.gr/759/article/non-tumoral-hyperserotoninaemia-responsive-to-octreotide%E2%80%A6.html

Anxiety is a common reported symptom of Gilbert’s Syndrome. ‘At the molecular level, recently emerging data have established the increased frequency of dual genetic polymorphisms in UDP glucuronosyl-transferases 1A1 and 1A6 in approximately 87% of patients with Gilbert’s syndrome, leading to defective glucuronidation not only of bilirubin but of several other endogenous and exogenous substrates, such as serotonin, coumarin and dopamine derivatives.7,8

Increased serotonin levels have been reported in patients with Gilbert’s syndrome, suggesting a possible explanation for the nonspecific symptoms described in these patients that are commonly attributed to anxiety.9,10’

There are also studies showing that this and ‘unconjugated bilirubin’ (associated with Gilbert’s Syndrome) may be more evident in people with bi-polar disorder, autism and schizophrenia. In fact people with those conditions are also more likely to have Gilbert’s Syndrome. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16736395/ https://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/2014/05/neonatal-jaundice-and-risk-of-autism.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5924810/

So, if you’re more likely to have problems with your mental health, then it’s really important to look after yourself. Following the advice above and keeping to a healthy diet, exercise and mental wellbeing routine will absolutely help you lead a better life with Gilbert’s Syndrome.

Because your support helps keep this research and website alive, please donate today:

Share
Posted on

links and notes that might help people with Gilbert’s Syndrome

Share

Find out more about how Milk Thistle works. The effective ingredient is sylmarin, and you need enough of a dose for it to have an impact. Read more here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/138.html

Diet plays a really important part in managing your health and wellbeing, and especially in helping your liver. However, there is an industry out there just waiting to push the latest ‘superfood’ your way. NHS ‘Choices’ gives the latest lowdown on the claims and offers the evidence to counter / support them here

Find ordinary household paints make you feel unwell? I’ve been using these for years and they are brilliant! www.ecosorganicpaints.co.uk Odourless, solvent free, totally non-toxic.

Share
Posted on

Liver help – the basics

Share

The liver is the body’s largest solid organ. It responsible for detoxifying many of the potentially harmful substances that can pollute the body.

The liver also plays a critical role in many other body processes including energy production, digestion, and nutrient storage.

What will help my liver?

The cornerstone of any liver-friendly programme is a diet that makes it easier for your liver to work. Lots of fruits and vegetables will help you and your liver work better.

Not only do these foods tend not to tax and stress the liver, they also contain an lots of nutrients such as vitamin C and carotenoids (e.g. beta-carotene) which can support liver function.

Organic produce is best as this is relatively free of potentially toxic herbicides, pesticides and fungicides.

Drinking plenty of water (about one and-a-half to two litres a day) really helps your body and your liver work well.

What won’t help my liver?

Foods that contain artificial additives such as sweeteners, colourings, flavourings and preservatives might cause your liver more problems.

People with Gilbert’s Syndrome often find that drinking alcohol gives them symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog and jaundice. Alcohol is hard for your liver to process and the less you drink the less stressed your liver will be. Watch out for hidden alcohol! You might find some herbal tinctures or food contains alcohol – worth avoiding if you are particularly sensitive.

You might also find fatty food makes you feel sick, and carbohydrates like sugar and white bread or pasta leave you drained and feeling rough. In Gilbert’s Syndrome you need to keep balanced blood sugar levels to help your enzymes work as well as possible (check out ‘What is Gilbert’s Syndrome’ for an explanation), so refined carbs are best avoided.

Share
Posted on

Recipes for your liver

Share

BETTER than a sandwich!

For a quick boost try the following super tasty liver loving lunch:

Quick pitta lunch

Wholemeal pitta bread, sliced open, spread with humous or tahini, add slices of avocado, a handful of watercress and spinach, and season with a dash of lemon juice, salt and black pepper. For extra nutrition and yumminess add sesame seeds or pine nuts or sunflower seeds. Scrumptious.

Wow! Tasty, quick POWER salad.

Puy lentil salad with soy beans, sugar snap peas & broccoli

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 200.0g Puy lentils
  • 1.0l hot vegetable stock
  • 200.0g tenderstem broccoli
  • 140.0g frozen soya beans , thawed
  • 140.0g sugarsnap peas
  • 1 red chilli , deseeded and sliced

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • juice 1 lemon
  • 1 garlic clove , chopped
  • 40.0ml reduced-salt soy sauce
  • 3cm piece fresh root ginger , finely grated
  • 1 tbsp clear honey

 Boil lentils in stock until just cooked, about 15 mins. Drain, then tip into a large bowl.

  1. Bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil, throw in the broccoli for 1 min, add the beans and peas for 1 min more. Drain, then cool under cold water. Pat dry, then add to the bowl with the lentils.
  2. Mix together the dressing ingredients with some seasoning.
  3. Pour over the lentils and veg, then mix in well with the chopped chilli. Pile onto a serving platter or divide between 4 plates and serve.

Per serving

302 kcalories, protein 22.0g, carbohydrate 42.0g, fat 7.0 g, saturated fat 1.0g, fibre 8.0g, sugar 9.0g, salt 1.41 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine.

Day or night, alone or with friends – tasty goodness.

Avocado and black bean wraps

Serves 4 for a filling meal, or halve the quantities and serve with a leafy salad for a lighter lunch.

Ingredients

  • 8 wholemeal wraps (in world food isle with Mexican stuff, or in bakery section)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion , chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves , chopped
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 5 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp clear honey
  • 3 x 400g cans black beans , rinsed and drained
  • choose a few toppings-  diced avocado, salsa, sliced jalapeño peppers
  • crème fraîche / yoghurt or Tabasco / hot pepper sauce, to serve

Serve with green salad, sliced tomatoes, or green beans and sweetcorn.

  1. In a large frying pan, heat the oil. Add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5 mins.
  2. Add the spices, vinegar and honey. Cook for 2 mins more.
  3. Add the beans and some salt / pepper, and heat through.
  4. Remove from the heat and mash the beans gently with the back of your spoon to a chunky purée.
  5. Spread some beans over wraps, scatter with your choice of toppings and add a spoonful of crème fraîche / yoghurt to cool down, or a splash of Tabasco / hot pepper sauce to spice it up.
  6. Roll up and YUM!

Sin free sinning!

This wonderful recipe is from a very good friend:

Fat free fudgy wudgy brownies

Preheat the oven to 180C

Dry ingredients:

¾ cup of wholemeal flour

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ cup white flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ cup Demerara sugar (or brown sugar)

¾ cup broken walnuts (optional)

Handful dark chocolate chips (optional)

Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Wet ingredients:

1 ½ cups black beans (one tin drained and rinsed well)

1 cup pitted medjool dates (this can be anywhere from 7-10 dates depending on their size, or just use ordinary dried dates if you don’t want to fork out for medjool)

¼ cup maple syrup (or date syrup, which is particularly tasty, or indeed any other kind of syrup)

Whiz the wet ingredients together in a food processor until completely smooth.

Then add:

1 TB balsamic vinegar (or cider vinegar)

3 tsp instant coffee (optional but enhances the flavour)

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 TB flax meal (ground flax seeds) or other ground seeds such as hemp powder

1 cup water

Whiz that all up until it is smooth, then mix in with the dry ingredients.

Spoon into a greased 9×12 or 9×13 pan.

Bake for 14 minutes then take the pan out and rotate it and put it back in for another 14 minutes. Test with a toothpick to see if it comes out clean. If not put it in for 2 more minutes.

Let cool before you slice. Slice it into 16 brownies-4 by 4.

Store in an airtight tin. I think they taste better the next day. Yum!

 

Share
Posted on

Detox diets and Gilbert’s Syndrome

Share

I’ve been monitoring the ‘de-tox diet’ phenomenon for many years, and each year my scepticism grows. Avid marketers have spotted a desire for many people to find a solution to the modern malaise of feeling tired and sluggish, and there is a proliferation of products – powders / pills / soups /  excercises / regimes / books / websites / treatments etc that claim to help powerfully cleanse the body and leave you lighter, fresher, and generally bright eyed and bushy tailed.

However, on the one hand many run of the mill Doctors will tell you that the liver does a perfectly good job of dealing with toxins. On the other hand many people feel generally under par much of the time. Although I agree that the liver generally does an excellent job, some of us may need a wee bit more help for our liver to do the job we want it to.  Given the disadvantage that those with Gilbert’s Syndrome experience, with a reduced capacity to process certain toxins, it makes sense to me to look after my diet so that I can help my liver. But I don’t want to burden my body with the shock of suddenly changing my diet to all fruit or liquid or pureed broccoli or whatever. My message would be to make a lifestyle choice to ensure you feel better EVERY day.

So, what can we all agree on?  Well, water is good for you. Drink plenty of it. Alcohol may be ok in small quantities, but personally it makes me feel awful so I avoid it. Caffeine can mess up your blood sugar levels and so reduce your ability to maintain consistent energy, particularly because those with Gilbert’s Syndrome are lacking in an enzyme that needs stable blood sugar levels for it to work properly. Eat little and often to keep your energy up, but make sure you stick to wholefoods such as brown rice, wholemeal bread, crackers, jacket potatoes etc and plenty of vegetables and fruit and not high fat food. This will help you maintain a steady weight, not experience hunger pangs, as well as avoiding over burdening your liver with fat processing. Protein is supposed to help with extra energy. I avoid eating animals and animal products for environmental reasons as well as health and compassionate reasons, so my sources of protein tend to be marmite (full of an awesome range of vitamins), and nut butters, such as peanut butter and cashew butter (high in fat but replace margarine and used as my only source of fat– don’t rule it out completely as your body does need fat), avocado, hemp powder added to soups and dressings, plus lots of soya milk.

Star liver foods include: broccoli, garlic, turmeric, avocado, beetroot, apples, lemons, walnuts.

If you need caffeine then try swapping to green tea which is better at cleansing the liver, and more gentle to your system than coffee.

Don’t forget a little naughty treat is ok. But use it as a reward for staying generally more liver conscious and once a week rather than every day. I like the 80 / 20 rule – stay 80% within a good diet, then the other 20% ain’t so bad.

Share
Posted on

Helping your liver deal better with toxins

Share

Good news! The detox process of the liver which won’t work as well for people with Gilbert’s Syndrome is called Glucuronidation and this process can be helped with Calcium D-Glucarate, glycine, magnesium, and b vitamins.

  • Calcium D Glucarate can be taken as tablets or capsules, but is also available in apples, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and bean sprouts.
  • Glycine is an amino acid and in high-protein foods, such as fish, meat, beans, milk, and cheese. Glycine is also available in capsule and powder forms, and as part of many combination amino acid supplements.
  • Spices, nuts, cereals, coffee, cocoa, tea, and vegetables are rich sources of magnesium. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach are also rich in magnesium as they contain chlorophyll. Magnesium supplements are widely available and often with calcium and vitamin c which help its absorption. The best absorbed types of magnesium are citrate and malate, rather than the cheaper form of oxide.
  • B vitamins are available in many different foods (see the NHS website), but the easiest ways of accessing them are through yeast extracts such as Marmite, and fortified cereals.

So why not help yourself and make sure your diet contains a good balance of foods that may help your liver to work better.

Share
Posted on

The Liver Diet

Share

The great news is that you can easily help your body work better by choosing tasty food that gives you the best nourishment.

The more plants you eat the healthier you will be. Your gut bacteria, immunity, liver function, skin, eyes, cholesterol, blood sugar, energy levels and more will thrive if you add in plants. By plants, I mean everything from herbs and spices to grains such as rice and wheat, as well as nuts, seeds, and fruit – not just salad!

There are lots of tips in this article. Take what works for you. You don’t have to do it all at once! If you need support to change your lifestyle then you could try a health coach.

There are recipes on the site and more information about nutrition that could help you find what works. Explore further, and share your ideas in the comments.

Think Raw
Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables and orange, yellow, purple and red coloured fruits and vegetables. Try to eat some raw fruits or vegetables a few times a day as they contain living enzymes, vitamin C, natural antibiotic substances and anti-cancer phytonutrients. Snack on a carrot, have an apple after breakfast, add berries to your dessert, add a tomato to your sandwich, squeeze lemon juice on a salad, garnish a curry with fresh coriander…

Oil but Don’t Grease Your Body
If your liver needs some help then I recommend avoiding all animal milks and substituting them with oat, rice, almond or soymilks. Avoid the fats that make life hard for the liver and gall bladder. These are full-cream dairy products, margarines, processed vegetable oils (hydrogenated fats), deep fried foods, foods that are not fresh and contain rancid fats, preserved meats, animal skins and fatty meats.

Eat the “good fats” which contain essential fatty acids in their natural unprocessed form. These are found in cold pressed vegetable and seed oils, avocados, algae oil, raw fresh nuts, raw fresh seeds such as flaxseeds (linseeds), sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, alfalfa seeds, pumpkin seeds and legumes (beans, peas and lentils).

Seeds such as flaxseeds can be ground freshly everyday (in a regular coffee grinder or food processor) or bought ready ground, and can be added to cereals, smoothies, fruit salads and vegetables.

Spirulina, evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, borage oil and lecithin also contain healthy oils to help the liver.

Do not use butter and/or margarine on your breads and crackers. There are so many tasty replacement options with added nutrients that are great for you. Replace them with tahini, humus, pesto, tomato paste or relish, freshly minced garlic and cold pressed oil (chilli or other natural spices can be added if enjoyed), nut-spreads, fresh avocado, cold pressed olive oil or yeast extract.

Good fats are essential to build healthy cell membranes around the liver cells. We need to “oil” our bodies and not “grease” our bodies.

Think Natural
Avoid artificial chemicals and toxins such as insecticides, pesticides, and artificial sweeteners and colourings, flavourings and preservatives. The easiest way to do this is to prepare meals from plants yourself. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming, or cost a lot of money. In fact, if you eat seasonal food it can be much cheaper than including more expensive animal products and pre-prepared packets in your shop.

Just google ‘easy plant based recipes’ for tons of ideas. You can start here

Be Diverse
Consume a diverse range of proteins from grains, raw nuts, seeds, legumes (lentils and every type of bean) and soya products such as tofu. It is both safe and healthy to be a vegan, so long as you are eating a diverse range of plants, however you may need to take supplements of vitamin B 12 and be sure to eat healthy essential fatty acids perhaps in the form of an algae oil supplement (walnuts, flaxseed and other nuts and seeds also help keep up the protein and essential fatty acid levels).

Let Food Be Your Medicine
Many diseases can be overcome by eating healing foods that contain powerful medicinal properties. Optimal health and the prevention of disease is only possible by including these healing foods regularly in the diet.

The healing substances found in certain foods or therapeutically active chemicals are known as phytochemicals. The culinary habits of different cultures have been recognised for decades as being influential in the incidence of diseases. Mediterranean countries have a lower prevalence of cardiovascular diseases because of the protective effect of traditional Mediterranean foods, such as olive oil, tomatoes and legumes.

Broccoli and other vegetables in the cruciferous family are known to reduce the risk of bowel cancer, but it is only recently that scientists have isolated the phytochemicals which confer this protection. Broccoli has been found to contain a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which enhances the phase two-detoxification pathway in the liver.

Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene, which according to a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1997:66:116-22), is the most powerful of all the dietary carotenoids. The researchers found that the dietary intake of lycopene was linked to a lower risk of prostate problems. They also found that higher levels of lycopene in the blood lowered the risk of cell proliferation, which would theoretically exert a powerful anti-cancer effect. Cooking or chopping tomatoes increases the absorption of lycopene into the body. Cooking tomatoes in oil increases the availability of the lycopene to the body, which is another reason that Mediterranean cuisine confers health benefits.

Beetroot is a beautiful deep purple colour because it contains the antioxidant anthocyanidin. Constituents of beetroot have been shown to exert anti-viral and anti-tumour effects in animal studies. Other foods, which have these properties, although to a lesser degree, are red and green peppers, red onion skins, paprika and cranberry. These foods contain healing phytonutrients such as carotenoids, capsanthin and anthocyanins.

Certain foods have high concentrations of plant hormones, which are known as phytoestrogens. Examples of these are the isoflavones genistein and daidzein (found in soya beans and red clover), and lignans (found in flaxseed).

Asian communities consume a high intake of soy (approximately 25 – 50 grams daily), and have a significantly lower incidence of hormone dependent cancers of the prostate, uterus and breast. All legumes such as beans, peas and lentils contain beneficial phytoestrogens.

A study published in the British Medical Journal in 1990, looked at a group of postmenopausal women who were given 45 grams of soy flour for 2 weeks, followed by 25 grams of flaxseed meal for 2 weeks, and then 10 grams of red clover sprouts. This produced improvements in various blood hormone levels and menopausal symptoms.

Asian and Mediterranean cuisines are now integrating themselves into the old fashioned Western diet consisting of meat, bread and a limited range of vegetables. This culinary multiculturalism has enormous and proven benefits for our health and also for our enjoyment. We all know that variety is the spice of life, and Asian and Mediterranean foods can add spice to our often-bland ways of eating.

A wide range of Asian foods is now available from supermarkets and greengrocers as well as Chinese grocery stores. Typical Asian foods and vegetables such as ginger root, chilli, garlic, Chinese water spinach, bok choy, lemongrass, coconut, tumeric, curry, Chinese mushrooms and many others can be experimented with, and gradually introduced into the diet if you want to expand the horizons of your taste buds.

Watch That Sweet Tooth
Use natural sugars from fresh fruits and juices, dried fruits, molasses, fruit sorbets, fruit cakes, fruit jams, carob, date sugar, maple sugar or syrup or rice syrup. Avoid refined white sugar and candies, fizzy drinks, cakes and biscuits made with refined sugars.

Pre diabetes and Type II diabetes are spreading like wildfire thanks to western style diets high in processed sugar and fat.

Balanced blood sugar helps your liver work better and supports your energy levels. Fresh fruit and vegetables and natural sources of sugar will help you from see-sawing blood sugar.

Rehydrate Your Body
Drink large amounts of fluids such as water, raw juices and teas (green tea, herbal and regular weak tea is fine). Aim for 2 litres of fluid daily and this will avoid constipation problems and help your kidneys to eliminate the toxins that the liver has broken down.

The liver is the major organ involved in detoxification, however it is still important to support the other body organs of elimination. The skin and the kidneys eliminate toxins through sweating and urine and this is why some people suggest that saunas and a high intake of filtered water can reduce symptoms of toxic overload.

Some people think it’s important to have a water filter, and depending on what is in your water where you are, this may help you.

Go Organic
Although it is ideal to be able to buy organically grown food it’s not always possible. Don’t worry if you can’t manage to include organic food in your life, it’s important to do what you can, and not stress about what you can’t. It’s much more important to focus on the right types of food.

Not many people want to eat fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed repeatedly with insecticides and fungicides, ripened with ethylene gas and perhaps waxed with an insect secretion. Livestock animals may have been fed antibiotics and the ground-up remains of thousands of dead animals, and had potent sex hormones implanted to accelerate growth.

Organic food is sometimes called biodynamic food and should be produced without synthetic herbicides, insecticides, fertilisers, post-harvest fungicides, antibiotic growth-promoters, or size enhancing hormones. Foods certified as organic must be grown on farms that are inspected and fully certified according to a stringent set of standards.

It’s a positive choice if you can make it, and it protects the environment. You could also try growing your own with a packet of courgette seeds in a window box!

Pamper Your Liver
Eat foods to increase nutrients beneficial to liver function. Here are some more tips:

  • Vitamin K – green leafy vegetables and alfalfa sprouts.
  • Arginine – this helps the liver to detoxify ammonia, which is a toxic waste product of protein metabolism. Arginine is found in legumes (beans, peas, and lentils), carob, oats, walnuts, wheatgerm and seeds.
  • Antioxidants – found in fresh raw juices such as carrot, celery, beetroot, dandelion, apple, pear and green drinks like wheatgrass and barley-grass juice, and fresh fruits, particularly citrus and kiwi fruit.
  • Selenium – sources of the antioxidant selenium are brazil nuts, brewers yeast, designer yeast powders (very good source), kelp, brown rice, molasses, seafood, wheatgerm, whole-grains, garlic and onions.
  • Methionine – is essential for detoxification. Is found in legumes, garlic, onions and seeds
  • Essential fatty acids – Fresh avocado, fresh raw nuts and seeds, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), wholegrain, wheatgerm, green vegetables such as spinach, green peas and green beans, eggplant/ aubergine, cold pressed fresh vegetable and seed oils, freshly ground seeds, especially flaxseeds (linseed), evening primrose oil, black-currant seed oil, star flower oil. Essential fatty acids are required for healthy membranes in every cell of the body and plentiful amounts are required for healthy liver function. This is why strict low fat diets are not beneficial for general health, weight control or liver function.
  • Natural sulphur compounds – are found in garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and brussel sprouts.

So – the take away here is ‘eat a diverse range of plants’. Just add more plants and you will feel and be healthier. You can focus on areas where you need to bring in more nutrients – such as cruciferous veg and essential fatty acids, or reducing processed sugar and fats. If you need support then you can work with a health coach. If you have particular questions then do post in the comment!

Share