What are the benefits of Gilbert’s syndrome?

Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited condition often discovered by accident, such as when someone has a blood test. It occurs due to a defect in the processing of bilirubin by the liver. The syndrome may cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to have a yellow tinge due to the build-up of bilirubin. Gilbert’s syndrome is typically harmless and treatment isn’t required.

What are the benefits of Gilbert’s syndrome?

On the other hand, people with GS have a lower tendency to accumulate fat in old age; when young they present a lower body mass index than those without GS (22.5 vs 23.5 kg/m2) and are less likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes. All these data explain why people with Gilbert syndrome have a longer life.

Studies also show that increasing bilirubin levels decreases liver fat content and reduces oxidative stress in obese mice, improving adiposity and blood glucose (19–22). Other work has shown that aerobic exercise protects the liver and cardiometabolic health and adipose tissue remodeling under metabolic stress (23).