It’s your largest internal organ, the body’s chemical workshop, responsible for the metabolism of nutrients essential to life. It’s a silent worker, resilient and easy to ignore. But it is the new frontier in the battle for good health. No longer limited to people who drink excessively, obesity, diabetes and negative lifestyle choices are creating a havoc with this overlooked organ. If we are not careful, liver diseases will soon become an epidemic in India, because there is no treatment as yet. Studies show that Indian men might be particularly prone to it.
Why you need to take care of your liver
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1. Dietary imbalances
This leads to non alcoholic fatty liver diseases.
2. Infective agents
Virus A, B, C, D, E & G can cause hepatitis. Virus A & E are transmitted through oral-fecal route. Virus B, C, D, G are transmitted through blood transfusion.
Hepatitis B Vaccine is commonly used, but vaccination against viral hepatitis is helpful in most cases.
3. Toxic agents
Ø Alcohol
Ø Drugs & chemicals
Ø Inborn error in metabolism
Types of liver diseases
1. Fatty globulation or fatty liver – fats get deposited in liver.
2. Necrosis –excessive alcohol intake can lead to tender & enlarged liver.
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3. Cirrhosis of liver – this is a late stage of scarring or fibrosis of the liver caused by many forms of liver disease.
4. Jaundice –damage to liver cells leads to increase in bilirubin resulting in jaundice.
Symptoms
Ø Skin & eyes are yellowish
Ø Abdominal pain & swelling
Ø Itchy skin
Ø Dark urine color
Ø Pale or bloody tar colored stool
Ø Chronic fatigue
Ø Nausea & vomiting
Ø Loss of appetite
Ø Tendency to bruise easily
Dietary intervention
Ø A healthy calorie intake to maintain with a protein-rich diet.
Ø Vegetable & dairy / lean meat protein are preferred
Ø If needed certain dietary supplements containing certain amino acids can be included
Ø Diet should include whole grains, at least 5 serving of fruits & veggies of various colors
Ø Salt, Sugar, Fatty foods should be restricted
Ø A minimum of 6-8 glasses of fluid to include (juices & soups to include)
Ø Small frequents meals should be taken
Ø Fasting not recommended
Ø Lot of fluids in the form of fresh juices / tender coconut water / citrus fruits are to be included.
