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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Is Carrot Juice Good for Jaundice?

Is Carrot Juice Good for Jaundice?

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Is Carrot Juice Good for Jaundice?
Carrots are a food rich in a variety of healthful nutrients. Photo Credit bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images
Carrots are a fat-free and cholesterol-free food that is low in sodium and high in fiber. The vegetable is a source of antioxidant nutrients and is particularly rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, a nutrient that contributes to a strong immune system. Carrot juice has long been a natural home remedy to treat jaundice -- a condition that makes the skin and whites of the eyes appear yellowish in color. Jaundice is a symptom that occurs when the level of the chemical bilirubin in the blood is abnormally elevated.

Jaundice

Bilirubin is a chemical found in the body’s red blood cells. It is a waste product that remains in the blood after the body removes the iron from hemoglobin. The liver then has the job of removing bilirubin from the blood by excreting it into bile. Individuals become jaundiced when there is too much bilirubin in the blood for the liver to remove. When bilirubin accumulates in the bloodstream, yellow pigment levels build up in the body causing a yellowish tinge in skin color. Over-production of bilirubin, chronic liver diseases, inflammation or blockage of the bile ducts and certain genetic disorders are some of the causes of jaundice. Generally, jaundice disappears as the underlying medical condition improves. In most cases, the treatment of jaundice focuses on treatment of the cause.

Nutritional Value of Carrots

Although people who consume large amounts of foods containing beta-carotene sometime develop a slight discoloration of the skin, eating too many carrots or other fruits and vegetables that are deep orange or yellow in color does not cause jaundice, according to the Merck Manual. In fact, carrot juice is a rich source of healthy nutrients including vitamins A, C, D, E and K. In addition to vitamins B-1 and B-6, carrots contain the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and copper -- all nutrients essential for good health. Use a stiff brush to clean the vegetable instead of peeling off the skin when preparing for juicing. Carrots lose nutrients when you wash them in water.

Healthful Benefits

Not only are carrots sweet to eat, the vegetable is loaded with nutrition. Carrots provide your body with lots of nutrients whether you eat them raw, cooked or juiced. As a root vegetable, carrots absorb minerals from the soil, making them a natural food source for minerals your body needs to stay healthy. Vitamin A nourishes the skin while vitamins A and C in carrots help to detox the liver. Carrots are particularly beneficial for the liver -- the organ responsible for removing the buildup of toxic chemicals in the bloodstream.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are the orange, yellow and red pigments found in many vegetables and fruits. The carotenoid beta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Cell damage can eventually increase the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, atherosclerosis and several types of cancer. Vitamins E and C and the carotenoids in carrots are essential antioxidant nutrients that work to boost the immune system and fight disease. These antioxidants may also play a role in preventing liver degenerative diseases.
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