The etymological origin of the word bilirrubina is found in Latin and comes from a conjunction of different definitions: Bile which means gall, rubrum which means red and ina which is translated as substance.
The word Bilirrubina refers to a yellow-orange liquid that is part of bile and is formed when red blood cells (hemoglobin) are broken down.
Bilirrubina is produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
The function of this substance is to help digest fats through the liver, where our body usually eliminates it through fecal matter.
When an abnormal accumulation of bilirrubina occurs, what is known as jaundice occurs, which is characterized by an increase in the yellowish color of the skin and eyes of people who suffer from it, as well as dark-colored urine.
Having high bilirrubina is a common thing in newborn children who are diagnosed with jaundice and where the treatment consists of having them for a few days in lamps (light therapy or phototherapy) to reestablish bilirubin levels and thus the yellowish tone disappears.
Another of the conditions that can appear when having high bilirrubina are cirrhosis, fatty liver or anemia.
In most cases with high bilirrubina, it is recommended to have a healthy diet to take care of the liver based on vegetables, legumes and fruit, avoiding carbohydrates and refined foods, as well as alcohol.
Finally we cannot fail to mention that this substance became known through the famous singer-songwriter Juan Luis Guerra.
The Puerto Rican practically achieved fame with his song “La bilirubina”, where he made reference to the rise of this substance due to love sickness.