Health.India.com » Liver

Coffee can protect your liver from alcohol damage!

India.com Health — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 02:18:42 +0000

A new research suggests that heavy alcohol users who drink a lot of coffee could actually be protecting their livers! Heavy coffee consumption may protect against liver damage in men who drink alcohol, a new study has claimed. Researchers asked nearly 19,000 Finnish men and women between ages 25 and 74 about their coffee and alcohol consumption.

‘Our findings suggest a possible protective effect for coffee intake in alcohol consumers,’ said study researcher Dr Onni Niemela, of Seinajoki Central Hospital and the University of Tampere in Finland. Researchers measured participants’ blood levels of the liver enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), MyHealthNewsDaily reported. Drinking alcohol raises levels of GGT in the blood. Over time, drinking can also lead to alcoholic liver disease. People with liver disease show higher levels of GGT in their blood.

Men in the study who consumed more than 24 alcoholic drinks per week, or about 3.5 drinks daily, had the highest levels of the liver enzyme – about three times higher than men who did not drink alcohol. But among the men who were heavy drinkers, those who also consumed five or more cups of coffee daily showed a 50 per cent reduction in GGT compared with men who drank no coffee.

The researchers found no significant association between coffee consumption and GGT levels in female drinkers. In addition to drinking alcohol, smoking, older age and being overweight can also raise GGT levels. While there were no differences in these variables among heavy drinkers, moderate drinkers, former drinkers and non-drinkers in the study, the researchers cannot determine for sure whether some interaction between alcohol and one of these factors affected the results.

The researchers found that the way that coffee was prepared whether it was filtered, boiled or served as espresso, for example – did not seem to make a difference in the findings. Previous studies have suggested that drinking coffee may decrease GGT levels, and that caffeine may play a role in this. It remains unclear whether elevated levels of the liver enzyme correlate with symptoms of liver disease.

The study was published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.

New hangover cure on the cards?

India.com Health — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 09:24:34 +0000

A tiny capsule that mimics the liver in processing alcohol could provide a speedy cure to hangovers, says an American study. In a discovery that could promise a quick fix to the common hangover, a team of researchers led by University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) engineers has identified a method for speeding up the body’s reaction to the consumption of alcohol. In a paper published online Feb 17 in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Nanotechnology, Yunfeng Lu, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, and his colleagues describe how they placed two complementary enzymes in a capsule to speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.

The enzyme combination within the capsule essentially processes alcohol the way the liver does, reports Science Daily. Principal investigator Lu said the enzyme combination could be ingested as a pill, chemically altering alcohol in the digestive system, even as the liver does its work. “The pill acts in a way extremely similar to the way your liver does,” Lu said. “With further research, this discovery could be used as a preventative measure or antidote for alcohol intoxication.”

Source: IANS

Top 10 food habits to prevent cancer

Neha Chandna — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:54:04 +0000

Research shows that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths, may be even the majority are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. The food you eat has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. You may land up eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. If you change your diet and behaviour, you can minimize your risk of disease and possibly even stop cancer in its tracks.

As per the American institute of Cancer the likelihood of prevention of certain cancers with a healthy diet (along with regular exercise) are given below:

Cancer Site	%
Endometrium (lining of the uterus)	70
Oesophagus	69
Mouth, pharynx and larynx	63
Stomach	47
Colorectum	50
Pancreas	19
Breast, female	38
Lung	36
Kidney	24
Gallbladder	21
Liver	15
Prostate	11

Food Guidelines to prevent cancer:

Focus more on plant based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, pulses etc. Start your day with fruits and nuts. Have some whole grain cereal for breakfast. Make sure to have a big portion of salad with vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, beetroot, cucumbers etc pre-lunch and pre-dinner. Carry snacks like fruits, trail mixes (sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, almonds, walnuts etc), opt for sandwiches with multigrain breads and lot of veggies in it.
Fiber is the key component to prevent cancer. All plant based foods are rich in fiber which helps to keep your digestive system clean and healthy and push the cancer causing compounds out of the gut before they can harm you. You can add fiber to your diet by replacing white rice with brown rice, eating the fruits with skin, choosing popcorn over potato chips etc.
Avoid processed foods. The more you eat food in its original form, the better protection it gives. For example instead of drinking orange juice, peel and eat the orange or prepare oatmeal porridge with raisins rather than having an oatmeal raisin cookie.
Cut down on red meat and whole fat milk as research shows that vegetarians are about fifty percent less likely to develop cancer than those who eat meat. That is because meat and milk lack fiber, antioxidants and nutrients that have cancer protective properties and is high on saturated fat which is linked with increased risk of cancer. But you don’t need to eliminate meat completely. A good visual reminder is to have 2/3^rd of your plate filled with plant foods and 1/3^rd of it with meat and dairy products. You can cut them down by cutting animal products to a palm-size, adding some salads or beans to it rather than using it as the main element. Choose fish or lean chicken as they are low on fat, avoid processed meats like sausages, salamis etc.
Choose your fats smartly. Saturated and trans fats are demons for health, so limit them. Saturated fats (bad fats) are found in butter, ghee, eggs, whole fat milk and red meats and trans fats are found in processed and junk foods like burgers, pizzas etc. On the other hand unsaturated fats (good fats) like MUFA and PUFA are found in oils that are liquid at room temperature eg: olive oil, ricebran oil, etc. The other sources of unsaturated fats are avocados, nuts like walnuts, almonds etc. Also focus on omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation and support brain and heart health. Good sources include fish like salmon, tuna, and flaxseeds. You can add them by eating fish once or twice a week, adding flaxseeds to your salad, avoiding fried foods, checking the label for bad fats.
Opt for cancer-fighting foods. You immune system needs to be strong to fight against cancer causing agents. You need to eat a variety of colourful foods with antioxidants (vitamin A, C, E and selenium) and phytochemicals that help strengthen immunity and fight diseases. Such foods are tomatoes, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables, grapes, cranberry, carrots, cabbage, garlic, onions, grapefruits, blueberries, chilli peppers, jalapeno, soy products like tofu etc. Green tea is also antioxidant rich, so replace your black tea with three cups of green tea per day.
Drink plenty of water as it helps to eliminate toxins from the body and supply nutrients to the cancer cells which can kill and prevent them from multiplying. Avoid sugary drinks like colas, juices etc as they increase inflammation and cancer growth.
Preserve nutrients when you cook. Wash the vegetables and fruits with a brush to remove all pesticide residues. Eat raw as much as possible, this helps retain the nutrients. Steam the vegetables using very little water. Prevent over-heating of oil as it can become carcinogenic.
Instead of deep-frying, pan-frying, and sautéing, opt for healthier methods such as baking, boiling, steaming, or broiling. Store oils in a cool dark place to prevent it from becoming rancid. Use microwave friendly containers of good quality to prevent plastic material interaction with food.
Avoid foods that look or smell mouldy, as they are likely to contain aflatoxin, a strong carcinogen. Nuts will stay fresh longer if kept in the refrigerator or freezer.

Why is the liver so important?

Dr Ashwin Mallya — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 02:40:32 +0000

The liver is a highly under-appreciated organ. In the post, I’ll try and explain what the liver does, the diseases which can affect it and end with tips to maintain it in top shape.

Your liver is a one and a half kg organ that sits behind your right rib cage. If you did not have your liver, you would not be able to process nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals from your food. Your body would not get rid of all the toxins and microbes. Your blood would probably never clot! The liver plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s metabolic balance.

As the liver performs a variety of important functions it is extremely vulnerable to a variety of metabolic, toxic, microbial, circulatory and cancerous insults. Awareness of the liver’s functions and what all can cause liver disease can help you take the road to great health.

Let’s start with a few commonly known diseases that can affect the liver:

Fatty Liver: This disease was traditionally known to occur in association with excessive alcohol intake but now the non-alcoholic variant is reaching epidemic proportions in the developed countries. Known to occur in association with metabolic syndrome consisting of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and hyperlipidemia this disease occurs because of faulty fat metabolism in the liver. Prevention is the best treatment and if uncontrolled can even end up in liver failure.
Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver that is caused by a group of viruses that have particular affinity for the liver. Out of these, hepatitis A and E are caused by eating food contaminated with the virus. Hepatitis B, C and D are acquired through blood, body fluids and by unprotected sexual contact.
Alcoholic hepatitis is inflammation (swelling) of the liver due to ingestion of alcohol.
Cirrhosis or scarring of the liver is caused mostly due to alcohol intake, viral infection due to hepatitis B and C , bile duct disease or iron overload. It is among the top 10 causes of death in the world. The liver ceases to function normally due to irreversible damage. It progresses gradually and can lead to end stage liver disease.
Drug induced damage caused due to the various medicines we take and chemicals we are exposed to. As liver is the major detoxifying organ in the body, it is subject to an enormous variety of drugs and chemicals. Always be careful when consuming medicines. Even over the counter medications like paracetamol can cause fulminant liver failure. Never take medications beyond the recommended dosage. It is always better to consult a doctor before taking medications and follow up at the slightest evidence of ill health. Certain herbal medications could also cause damage to the liver and so can medications for tuberculosis.
Liver cancer can be caused by many factors including viral infections (hepatitis B and C), chronic alcoholism, certain food contaminants, genetic factors, cirrhosis of the liver.

What are the symptoms of liver disease?

This depends on the onset and rapidity of progression of liver damage.

In case of acute liver damage (due to drugs, toxins, viral hepatitis A, B or E), there may be fever with yellowish discoloration of sclera (the white of the eye), skin and urine. In most cases this may be self-limiting. In a small percentage, this may progress to fulminant liver failure leading to coma, altered blood clotting, kidney failure, secondary infections and may even require liver transplantation.

In chronic liver damage (due to hepatitis B, C or alcohol), the symptoms would be more gradual in onset:

Jaundice or yellowish discoloration of skin and the white of the eye.
Swelling especially in the legs and feet due to low protein levels.
Enlargement of breasts known as gynecomastia (in a male).
Reddish spider like discolorations (spider nevi) beneath the skin especially over the chest.
Accumulation of fluid (ascites) in the abdomen giving it a protruded appearance.
Problems with clotting of blood
Vomiting of blood or blood in stools
Altered senses with change in behavior, confusion, forgetfulness and other symptoms related to the brain also known as hepatic encephalopathy.
Gradual worsening of kidney function

The above symptoms are not comprehensive and it is best to consult a doctor at the earliest onset of any of the above.

Tips for a healthy liver:

Diet and Alcohol: A balanced diet with low fat content would be well suited to prevent fatty liver. Alcohol is best avoided.

Exercise: Plays a role in controlling cholesterol and in the metabolism of fat thus indirectly protecting the liver.

Vaccination: Hepatitis B is preventable by vaccination. Three shots of the hepatitis B vaccine taken over three months can provide long term protection against the dreaded disease.

Hygienic food and drinking water: Hepatitis A and E are known to spread via the oral route. Think twice before having road side delicacies! Boil the water that you intend to drink. It is the best way to prevent communicable diseases.

Avoid self-medication: Various drugs can damage the liver if taken indiscriminately

Regular check-ups: Once diagnosed with liver disease, be regular in follow ups with the doctor. Reversible damage can become irreversible if neglected.

This World Liver day, let’s strive not to abuse our liver, one of the most useful organs that we have. Let’s treat it with the love and respect it deserves.

Why drinking is bad for your weight loss regime

Pavitra Sampath — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 06:58:11 +0000

If you want to lose weight, you have to skip the booze. There are no two ways about it. One pint of beer contains as many calories as three chocolate biscuits while two glasses of wine equals one glazed doughnut. The World Cancer Research Fund says forgetting the calories in booze is one of the top reasons for diet failure and cutting down on drinks could help people lose weight. Being overweight, the report claims is the biggest cancer risk factor after smoking and even one pint of beer a day can increase person’s risk of liver and bowel cancer. Along with being having no nutritional value, alcoholic beverages tend to lower your inhibitions making you eat more and unhealthier than you intend to. Cutting down on drinking can have a big effect on weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.

First why you got to stop boozing if you want to lose weight

It has way more calories than you think: 30 ml of whisky (one small peg) has about 111 calories! One small peg of vodka has 55 calories while one bottle of light beer (650ml) has 208 calories. To put in context 100 g of chicken breast has 116 calories and one McChicken with cheese has 460 calories. While they don’t contain as many calories as junk food they definitely add to the count.

Drink	Calories*
Whiskey (30ml)	111
Vodka (30 ml)	55
Beer (650ml)	208
Wine (120ml)	89

*Source: weightlossresources.co.uk

It is digested differently: When we drink, the body sees alcohol as a toxic substance and attempts to get rid of it. It converts the alcohol into alcohol dehydrogenase which eventually changes to aldehydes. All these substances are toxic to the body. The body then tries to get rid of these compounds up by burning them as fuel for the body’s activities. This means your body will significantly reduce fat-burning to about 75% of its normal capacity after just one and a half drinks. It will also stop using carbs as energy which is why after a few drinks your body tends to accumulate more weight.
It is a diuretic: Which means it causes water loss and dehydration. Along with water you lose important minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and zinc – all of them vital to maintain your normal bodily functions including metabolism.
Alcohol affects your body in other negative ways: Drinking may help you sleep, but it will be unnatural sleep which will leave you restless and tired the next day. It also tends to trigger greater craving for calorie rich foods the next day. It also increases the amount of acid that your stomach produces, causing the stomach lining to become inflamed. Over time it will cause stomach ulcers, liver and heart disease.
It lowers your inhibitions: Drinking seriously affects our drinking and those tasty crispy appetisers are certainly going to add to your curves. To top it up alcohol is also stimulates your appetite. Research shows that drinking during or before a meal, reduces both inhibition and will power. In that state you are more likely to overeat, especially fried and fatty foods.
The colas and juices that are part of a cocktail add to the calorie content. Instead you could try adding water, diet soda or club soda.

Cheater tips to drink and not gain weight

There will bet times when you simply can’t say no to the drink – it could be an office party or your best friend’s wedding. Here are some tips which will help you navigate the bar and keep your calorie intake to a minimum:

Stick to a standard number of drinks: Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol a day; women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day.

Alcohol	Quantity	Unit
Beer	330 ml	1
Spirits (Whisky, Vodka, Tequila)	30 ml	1
Red wine/ White wine	175 ml	2

Get hydrated: Have a glass of water after every drink; this will help prevent dehydration.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach: Ideally you should eat a healthy meal before you start to drink, but if you do decide to have snacks while you drink, try to opt for some of the healthier options available. You could opt for salted peanuts instead of the standard chips or fries.
Don’t compete: If your friend challenges you to a drinking match, opt out. Stick to your own pace.
Get some support: Try to get your friends to cut down on the number of drinks, you will be more successful in cutting down if you have moral support.
Pace yourself: Take smaller sips, so as to maintain a regular pace. This method ensures you drink lesser and are not pressured into drinking as fast as your friends.
Avoid ‘binge drinking’: If you don’t drink all week, the weekend should not be an excuse to make up for time lost. Remember it is still one day and your body can take only that much. Avoid the bottoms ups and drinking games. Drink like a civilised person.
Don’t go neat: Avoid having neat drinks. Instead you can add some soda or water which will increase the quantity of the drink.

All said and done, it is better if you avoid drinking all together while on a strict exercise or weight loss regime. Boozing has no place in a healthy individual’s lifestyle.

Panel granted more time for report on banned pesticides

India.com Health — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 02:26:43 +0000

The experts’ committee was granted more time by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday to submit a report suggesting guidelines to prevent rampant use of banned pesticides in vegetables and fruits. Counsel Meera Bhatia, appearing for the central government told the division bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Vipin Sanghi that the draft report was ready and was with the panel head for consideration. Bhatia said the report would be filed in the court on Nov 2, the next date of hearing.

The court on Aug 17 sought a report from the committee for framing a policy for periodic checks to detect pesticide residue in vegetables that pose health hazards. The court directed the government to constitute the committee after it took suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging use of banned pesticides.

The seven-member committee includes Sandhya Kulshrestha, secretary, central insecticide board and registration committee, and Sarita Bhalla, joint director of the agriculture ministry, as the committee’s chairperson. Other members are Dhir Singh, director of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, N.K. Sharma, principal scientist in the agriculture ministry, S.M. Bhardwaj, food analyst at Delhi’s department of food safety, Vipin Bhatnagar, joint director at plant protection quarantine and storage, and senior advocate V.K. Rao.

NGO Consumer Voice’s report found that 35 varieties of vegetables and fruits, picked from Delhi markets and tested for pesticide content, had toxins beyond the permissible limits. It told the court that vegetables and fruits sold in the city’s markets contained poisons capable of causing cancer and harming the nervous system and liver.

The NGO said that the amount of pesticides used by farmers in India was as much as 750 times higher than European standards.

Source: IANS

Indian docs save Pakistani woman’s life with successful liver transplant

India.com Health — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:29:27 +0000

In a world fraught with riots and hate, a young boy has shown that humanity and compassion still exists. A Pakistani woman, suffering from liver cirrhosis underwent a successful liver transplant at Sir Gangaram Hospital. The woman’s son had donated his liver saving her from the potentially fatal liver cirrhosis.

“A team of 21 people including doctors and other staff of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital successfully transplanted the liver of her son in the Pakistani woman, Zaib Un Nisa, curing her of cirrhosis of liver August 14,” said Associate Director, Hepatobiliary and liver transplant department of the hospital, Dr Naimish N. Mehta. Dr. Mehta said the liver was voluntarily donated by the woman’s 27-year-old son Umar Subhani, who works in the office of the chief minister of Punjab, Pakistan. The family lives in Sialkot. “Nisa was affected with Hepatitis-C four years ago and was undergoing treatment in a hospital in Pakistan. Hepatitis for a long period damaged her liver completely,” Mehta told IANS. The woman was so unwell that she was unable to walk even a short distance.

“In January this year, the family approached the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital via email. They come to Delhi in February after getting a medical visa,” said the doctor. The doctor explained that the operation was technically challenging as Hepatitis C virus had caused damage to Nisa’s hepatic artery (which carries oxygenated blood to the liver). “During the liver transplant, the artery had to be reconstructed with a conduit. The conduit was obtained by removing a portion of the patient’s right thigh vein. This reconstruction was simultaneously performed with implantation of the new liver so that an arterial supply carrying oxygenated blood was established for the new liver,” said the doctor.

This operation was complex due to the arterial reconstruction; it took 16 hours, and cost Rs.17.75 lakh, the cheapest rate for a liver transplant in the country. The patient’s son told IANS that the hospital staff and the Indian student community had been very supportive. He had pasted notices seeking blood donors in Rajinder Nagar, and many students had volunteered. “I have not donated my liver to my mother. I have only returned to her a body part that I got from her 27 years ago,” Umar quipped. The donation was also an Eid-ul-Fitr gift.

Source: IANS

Hepatitis C vaccine to soon be a reality

India.com Health — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:21:48 +0000

There could soon be a vaccine to protect you against the deadly Hepatitis C. Australian scientists are now running trials on the efficacy of this much awaited vaccine. According to statistics this disease affects nearly 200 million people worldwide. Hepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily of the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure, liver cancer.

Currently undergoing formal pre-clinical studies, the vaccine is the result of a breakthrough work done by Heidi Drummer, associate professor from Burnet Institute with her team from its virology centre. Drummer and her team have overcome a major hurdle in HCV vaccine research, developing a vaccine candidate that protects against a number of different HCV strains. “Hepatitis C has a great ability to change its structure and evade the immune response. This makes vaccine development challenging,” Drummer said.

“Our vaccine is unique as it contains only the most essential, conserved parts of the major viral surface protein, eliciting antibodies that prevent both closely and distantly related hepatitis C viruses from entering cells, thereby preventing infection,” Drummer said. Drummer presented these findings at the prestigious Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Summit (ImVacS) in Cambridge.

Source: IANS

Vilasrao Deshmukh died of cardiac failure: Doctor

India.com Health — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:05:47 +0000

Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh died of cardiac failure, said renowned doctor Mohammed Rela of Chennai’s Global Health City Tuesday even as he drew attention to the urgent need for organ donations. In a statement, Rela, director of Institute of Liver Surgery & Transplantation at the GHC said that Deshmukh was rushed from Mumbai to Chennai on Aug 6 with “rapidly progressing liver failure”.

Deshmukh was unstable and required intensive treatment, according to Rela. ”At the time of transfer, Deshmukh, in addition to having liver failure, also had circulatory failure requiring support for his heart, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and renal failure requiring continuous dialysis,” Rela said. ”However, in the first 48 hours, he responded to treatment and his vital signs stabilised even though he was still critical requiring support for his heart, lungs and kidneys,” Rela added.

This was the time Rela felt there may be a small window of opportunity to consider Deshmukh for a liver transplantation. Accordingly, he was listed to receive a liver within the super urgent category which gave him priority to receive a suitable organ urgently. Deshmukh’s three sons also expressed a wish to donate a part of their liver, but Rela felt that with his (Deshmukh’s) condition being so poor, it would be better for him to receive a whole organ from a cadaver as it would aid recovery faster in such situations.

Unfortunately, Deshmukh waited four days with no suitable cadaver organ available. ”This morning, his condition started deteriorating rapidly with oxygen requirement of 100 percent with very poor tissue oxygenation, an intense acid build up in the body with lactic acidosis of over 20,” Rela said.

Despite best efforts by the medical team attending on him, Deshmukh suffered a cardiac arrest and died at 1.40 p.m. ”Deshmukh’s case shows us how vulnerable we are when we require an organ on an urgent basis. I hope that this death will improve public awareness of organ donation and stimulate governments across the country to do more organ donation. His death would then not be in vain,” Rela said, expressing sympathies to the bereaved family.

Source: IANS

Vilasrao Deshmukh passes away

India.com Health — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:48:29 +0000

Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union minister and former Maharastra chief minister passed away this afternoon. He was 67. The minister was battling liver cancer at a hospital in Chennai. Due to his critical condition he had been classified as a ‘super ultra emergency’ patient on the Tamil Nadu organ registry for a liver and kidney transplant.

He was to receive the organs from a 31-year-old man who was declared brain dead at the Government General Hospital, Chennai. Unfortunately the patient succumbed to a cardiac arrest and passed away before the organs could be harvested.

Despite this unlucky streak Vilasrao was still considered to receive organs from two prospective donors – a 20-year-old lady at Chennai GH and a patient at Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai but transplant surgeons found Vilasrao’s condition too critical to perform the procedure. Doctors say that his condition was worsening by the minute since this morning and although a transplant was their only option of saving him, he was too weak to withstand such a complex procedure.