Gilbert's Syndrome
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Gilbert Syndrome: Symptoms, Triggers and Natural Support

| Modified on Sep 20, 2026
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Gilbert syndrome is a common inherited condition that causes mildly elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Some people occasionally notice a yellow tint to the whites of their eyes or skin, particularly when bilirubin rises.

Although Gilbert syndrome involves bilirubin processing in the liver, it is not considered progressive liver disease and usually requires no treatment. For most people, the most useful approach is understanding what causes bilirubin levels to temporarily rise and minimizing those triggers when possible.

What Causes Gilbert Syndrome?

Bilirubin is produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin so it can be eliminated from the body.

People with Gilbert syndrome have reduced activity of an enzyme called UGT1A1, which helps process bilirubin. As a result, unconjugated bilirubin can temporarily accumulate in the bloodstream.

Gilbert syndrome is genetic. It is not caused by poor diet, toxin accumulation, alcohol use, or inadequate liver detoxification.

What Triggers Higher Bilirubin?

Bilirubin levels in Gilbert syndrome naturally fluctuate. Common triggers include:

  • Fasting or skipping meals
  • Very low-calorie diets
  • Dehydration
  • Illness or infection
  • Stress
  • Strenuous exercise
  • Menstruation

For some people, avoiding these triggers reduces episodes of visible jaundice.

Research Snapshot

Gilbert syndrome is considered a benign inherited condition and generally does not require treatment. There is currently no established supplement or herbal remedy proven to correct Gilbert syndrome. Maintaining hydration, eating regularly, and recognizing personal triggers may help minimize temporary increases in bilirubin.

Natural Ways to Support Well-Being

Because Gilbert syndrome itself usually does not need treatment, lifestyle measures are primarily aimed at avoiding known triggers and supporting general health.

  • Stay well hydrated: Dehydration can increase bilirubin levels.
  • Eat regularly: Fasting and severe calorie restriction can trigger higher bilirubin.
  • Eat a balanced diet: There is no special Gilbert syndrome diet, but a varied diet provides nutrients needed for overall health.
  • Manage stress: Stress can trigger higher bilirubin in some people.
  • Exercise sensibly: Regular activity is beneficial for general health, although unusually strenuous exercise can temporarily increase bilirubin.
  • Get adequate sleep: Consistent sleep supports general health and may make other triggers easier to manage.

What About Supplements and Herbs?

Earth Clinic readers have discussed supplements such as milk thistle, turmeric, NAC, selenium, alpha-lipoic acid, and other products commonly marketed for liver support.

These substances have been studied for various biological effects, but that does not mean they have been shown to treat Gilbert syndrome or reliably lower bilirubin in people with the condition. Evidence specifically demonstrating a meaningful benefit for Gilbert syndrome is limited.

What to Know

Gilbert syndrome affects the UGT1A1 enzyme, which is also involved in processing certain medications. Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist that you have Gilbert syndrome, particularly before starting a new prescription medication.

When Yellow Eyes Need Medical Evaluation

A yellow tint to the whites of the eyes can occur with Gilbert syndrome, but jaundice has many other possible causes. It should not automatically be attributed to Gilbert syndrome unless the condition has been properly diagnosed.

New or unexplained jaundice, persistent abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, significant itching, fever, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or other new symptoms warrant medical evaluation.

About the Reader Reports Below

Earth Clinic readers below discuss their experiences with Gilbert syndrome and approaches they have considered for elevated bilirubin or yellowing of the eyes.

These reports are personal experiences and may include supplements or theories that have not been clinically demonstrated to treat Gilbert syndrome. They should be considered anecdotal rather than evidence that a particular remedy lowers bilirubin or corrects the underlying condition.

If you have Gilbert syndrome, we invite you to share what seems to trigger changes in your bilirubin or jaundice and which lifestyle strategies have been helpful for you.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Gilbert’s Syndrome Remedies

Posted by Shannan (Uk - Suffolk) on 06/06/2024

Any help and advice on Gilbert's syndrome

Hi all,

Please do you have any advise for me in regards to Gilbert's syndrome? I have yellowing of the eyes… I have no idea why! But I apparently got Gilbert's syndrome after having my first child in 2015.. I wasn't awake back then for myself but was for my child (no jabs) I believe I had the whooping cough whilst I was pregnant but nothing else The whites of my eyes are yellow, I had tried to search high and low to find out how I can fix or sort this out… Do you have any advice at all? I get married in July 2027 and dread the spotlight being on me Please any advice or guidance will be appreciated Yours faithfully Shannan

Replied by Jo
(Europe)
06/06/2024

Hey, the good thing is that in your case, GS is mostly harmless and is 'condition free'. I know your condition the yellowing of the eyes is annoying to say the least, but on one hand be thankful that you don't have some other serious conditions that can occur from GS. Since it is a genetic liver condition (passed from one or more of your relatives), there may not be a lot you can do, but...I would focus on cleaning up your liver as best you can. Use supplements directed at your liver (not really a thing despite what you read online), but some things like milk thistle, curcumin do work to a degree to aid in liver function. The whole liver cleaning is not a thing so to speak, it is that people need to clean up their entire body and the liver gets healthy. I think more of a general cleaning you need to do. That might help. You need to clean up your diet as best you can, get some exercise regularly, and supplement, supplement, supplement. A, B's, C, D3, E, Iron, Selenium, Zinc, Lugols Iodine, Quercetin, NAC, Magnesium...are the most important. While it is not known if you can cure this yellowing you speak of-I could not find any relatable studies or evidenciary based reversals-but I did find a few stories where people eyes did fade. So...I will end with saying I wish you the best and I understand your concern. I hope it works out for you.

Replied by Jo
(Europe)
06/06/2024

Hello again, sorry for the quick post again, but I do have a unique treatment idea.

H2O2 therapy. I know...Peroxide? But let me explain.

So I have thousands of papers on research in regards to health, as well as old medical both traditional and alternative books. Something that has come up recently is H2O2 a lot.

I, or we have first hand research on H2O2 currently.

Lately after years of trying several natural or organic or safe deodorants to no avail...we tried H2O2. Natural/Organic deodorants never work. Either they are greasy, too dry, do not hide smell when heating up, and since we hit the gym 6 days a week, run and hike, we like to smell as good as we can while doing it!

Never found anything that worked. Well, worked but not good. Unfortunately the toxic stuff is the best! Funny how that it. But I am digressing here.

So I was going through some notes and found H2O2 papers. A long story short, we have been using it for 2 weeks now, and it works amazing. Just put it in a spray bottle, spray it in the armpits. You can rub it in as it will leak. But it wasn't the amazing affect as a deodorant/antiperspirant that got us. Some interesting things started to happen. Myself, had some scars start disappearing. Some skin issues I had since a baby on my knees and elbows have healed! It feels like brand new skin replacing the old. But another great affect is energy. We can't believe the energy we have now. Its not a 'boost' or turbo effect, but just like another level up.

So I dug into more research and found that indeed these are some of the effects when using H2O2 on your body.

Of course there is the H2O2 therapy where you drink drops of it, the Gerson therapy where you rub it all over your body and about a dozen other papers I found that refer to it's amazing effects.

So to put it into simplicity, when H2O2 enters the body, essentially it is harmless to healthy cells. But when it finds sick/damaged/dying/defective cells, it kills them off.

Leading to improving health. I did find one small study that refered to someone using it for a long time, and noticed that their skin got better, their joint pain got better, their eyesight got better and so on. Of course no one can know if that is confirmed since there are no large studies done, but on top of everything else, it could...could work. I hope it helps.

Replied by Art
(California)
06/06/2024
2949 posts

Hi Shannan,

The yellowish whites of the eyes in Gilbert's Syndrome is generally caused by elevated bilirubin levels. Selenium has shown the ability to lower bilirubin levels as discussed here :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24191312/#:~:text=Sodium selenite supplementation markedly reduced, the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis.

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

' Sodium selenite supplementation markedly reduced total bilirubin and ALT activity and restored the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH) and MDA and catalase activity. These results indicate that sodium selenite successively attenuates the thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis. '

Given that you are dealing with the liver, you should discuss trying selenium as Selenomethionine with your doctor for approval and supervision by your doctor as regular testing may be needed to confirm the Selenomethionine is lowering an elevated bilirubin level.

Art


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