Gilbert's syndrome (also known as Meulengracht's syndrome) was considered a disease for a long time. Affected people are slimmer, have a lower BMI, less body fat and better fat metabolism data. They are protected from oxidative stress and have significantly lower levels of inflammation - without having to live a particularly healthy life in return.

These thoroughly pleasant symptoms are due to a slightly increased bilirubin level, which is caused by a genetically determined underfunction of the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, explains Karl-Heinz Wagner from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Vienna: "People with Gilbert syndrome thus have an endogenous protection against type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases." [more]