Medicate responsible to take care of your liver

Taking care of our liver is a daily pursuit.  While it may easily slip our mind, medications, may they be over-the-counter, prescribed, dietary or nutritional supplements, are substances that will require a lot of work for the liver.  If not careful, popping those pills could actually bring you more harm than good.

More and more people are taking medications and supplements to control persistent medical conditions. Modern medicine evolves everyday giving people immediate to long-term relief. However, there has also been a considerable increase in drug-related side-effects,  including liver damage, especially from taking two or more drugs at a time.

Children and seniors are most at risk of medication-related problems. Children are particularly sensitive, and should be given the precise dosage of medicine as indicated by a physician. As we age, our organ systems slow down, and by the age of 65, our body’s capacity to process medicine and other substances significantly decreases, resulting in adverse reactions to certain drugs. A recent U.S. study reports that more than 20 percent of seniors are using medication that is unsafe for their age.

For young and old alike, managing medication is a responsibility that must be taken seriously.  People living with multiple health conditions are more vulnerable to develop a  potential  negative reaction from taking medication regimens with multiple medicines.  Multiple drugs should only be administered with a doctor’s specific instructions on dosage amounts and medication procedure.  Be thorough – the same way you gained knowledge by talking with your physician about an illness, talk with the pharmacist about the medication. And don’t forget to read the tiny fonts on the drug label.  So before popping today’s set of pills, go over your medicine cabinet to make sure that you are medicating responsibly.

Statin could be beneficial for both heart and liver health (Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

Reducing cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of liver cancer is a combined possibility with the use of Statins, a class of drugs designated to reduce cholesterol.  This important class of medications has once again captured the attention of researchers, this time for its ability to potentially reduce the risks of liver cancer.

Although statins are drugs used to lower cholesterol levels and prevent other cardiovascular diseases,  recent studies show statins  also show  great promise in preventing cancer, including liver and breast cancer.

A new research was launched involving over 30,000 people with Hepatitis B to find out more about what statins could do in protecting the body against different types of diseases. The health conditions of those who took the statins were compared with those who did not take the drug.

Hepatitis B, a condition wherein the liver is inflamed, is one of the primary causes of liver cancer. It was therefore crucial for researchers to know how statin protects and prevenst an inflamed liver from developing cancerous cells. Researchers were thrilled with findings that revealed  how statin indeed reduces the risk of liver cancer. Patients who took statin proved to be less likely to have liver cancer. Further, those who took statin for a longer period showed greater resistance to liver cancer.

These findings show how statins can be strategically used in liver disease treatments. However, experts are still watching further research to learn more about any adverse effects of using the drug.

Over the years, statins  have been widely prescribed to people battling high cholesterol levels. However, it is important to note that statins are also believed to have considerable but rare side effects, such as muscle damage and increased production of liver enzymes. Researchers therefore emphasize that statin, as well as other powerful drugs, should be taken with moderation and always according to a physician’s prescribed dosage. Also, patients taking statins are strongly advised to get regular liver function tests. With proper monitoring Statin’s ability to address  two issues is definitely promising!

Nutrient-rich nuts help the liver to function better

I am nuts for nuts!  Nuts have their special way of completing tasty deserts, salads and snacks, adding that special something that makes food even tastier.  Although we’ve all been warned that chocolate and caramel coated nuts, as tempting as they sounds,  could do more harm than good (other than satisfying that sweet tooth, of course!), raw, unsweetened nuts are actually loaded with nutrients that are good for the liver.

Nuts grow in hard shells that protect them from external pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers. They are considerably safer and less toxic when compared to other agricultural products that find their way onto our plates. The low toxicity of nuts make it a lot easier for the liver, the organ responsible for processing and eliminating free radicals that enter our body, to digest.

What makes nuts even more special is that they are naturally rich in protein and antioxidants. Brazil nuts, for example, contain a lot of protein that support the creation of new cells and repair damaged tissues. Studies have shown that people who regularly eat nuts have a higher level of lipoprotein, which protects the liver from fatty liver diseases.  People with liver disease are encouraged to include nuts into their diets,  helping to  ease the liver of the stress of detoxifying the body of chemicals sometimes found in other proteins.

Anti-oxidants are crucial in making sure that the liver gets as much help as it can in cleansing the blood stream. Walnuts are rich in arginine, a type of amino acid that the liver needs in detoxifying ammonia.

Nuts are rich in a  variety of vitamins such as selenium, which activates cancer-fighting cells, as well as folic acid, potassium, zinc and phosphorus.  Pecans contain vitamin E which aid in oxidizing bad cholesterol.

Almonds, with its high calcium and magnesium content, are becoming more popular as a  milk, especially among people who want to control their blood sugar level.  Magnesium helps blood vessels relax, allowing smoother  blood circulation.

Nuts also have unsaturated fats or “good fats” that help prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver. These healthy types of fat also help to keep membranes of liver cells strong.  We can definitely go nuts over healthy, raw, boiled, organic or lightly salted nuts- just keep those chocolate covered caramel coated nuts to a minimum!

Vitamin D could improve liver treatments (Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

One of the most impressive human traits is our persistent drive for innovation.  Innovation drives medical research and technology.  Medical technology has brought another key advancement to the liver health scene by taking a second look at the benefits of vitamin D.   It has been  discovered that vitamin D does more than encourage calcium absorption, but it also helps to prevent liver diseases.

The two Israeli research teams behind this discovery could not be more thrilled. In the modern day quest for cancer cures, the discovery that an easily accessible vitamin may contribute in preventing hepatitis C and cirrhosis (the most common precursors to liver cancer),  increases hope considerably.

While quite a number of treatments have already been developed to curb the spread of cancer cells, strong concerns regarding their side effects have prompted further research on cancer treatments which promise fewer,  or at least less stressful side effects.

Researchers at Rabin Medical Center have taken on this challenge. They explored vitamin D’s known health benefits, especially with regards to disease prevention, and observed its effects on hepatitis C.

These teams learned that vitamin D stops all virus activities and promotes regeneration of cells damaged by cirrhosis. Furthermore, they discovered that the liver has a natural mechanism  producing vitamin D,  which in turn improves the immune system and inhibits progress of the virus.

The research shows that vitamin D works in the liver by increasing its natural production of interferons, proteins secreted by the immune system that respond and repress pathogens that enter the body. This natural reaction to vitamin D could be enhanced so that the interferons could weaken, and even destroy the hepatitis C virus.

Vitamin D’s abating effect on hepatitis C virus opens the door for patients to take hepatitis C or cirrhosis treatments at a lesser dosage, thus incur less straining side effects.  To millions of people carrying the physical and emotional weight of these diseases,  options that minimize the burden on the liver is welcome relief.

A periodic cleansing does a lifetime of wonders (Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

You must have seen those ads in the morning paper, or maybe you heard about it from a friend – but by now EVERYONE has heard of “liver detox”.  The term liver detox is now part of today’s health vocabulary.  But how safe are these detoxification programs and how exactly do they work to make your body squeaky clean? Here’s a simple lowdown of things you should know before you choose to jump onto the detox bandwagon.

The liver functions to process and eliminate our body of toxins;  found in the food we eat, medications we take, substances we add to our food and drink, and even from the air we breathe. Alcohol, tobacco smoke, smog, pesticides and growth chemicals applied to grow fruits and vegetables, artificial sweeteners, and contaminated water are just some of the common sources of toxins that easily make its way into our bodies, thus compelling our liver to face the grueling job of detoxifying.

Going on a cleansing program can therefore give our liver a well-deserved break – a chance to rejuvenate itself from all those years of hard work.  Detox diets are specifically designed to help the body purge itself of unwanted chemicals.  The premise is that  by observing a diet comprised strictly of healthy foods known to support liver health,  we can allow our livers to rest.  It is commonly suggested to remain on the detox diet program for  two weeks.  These programs are  typically safe for most people.   It is always important to check with your doctor before participating in ANY new health regimen.  Pregnant and nursing women are not advised to do a liver detox program.

Liver detox programs require you to give up certain foods — a small sacrifice to enable a healthier liver. They entail fasting or abstaining from certain food and drinks, including processed goods, red meat, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and drugs.

Detox diets include organically grown fruits and vegetables, brown rice, and herbs such as milk thistle, a tested and proven antioxidant that helps remove old blood cells and bacteria from the body. Good detox programs also include a lot of fiber which scours the digestive system of bad cholesterol and chemicals for easy excretion. Other detox superfoods are avocados, blueberries, cranberries, beets and almonds.

However, doing a detox is more than following a prepared daily menu. For many people, it is the beginning of a new lifestyle. Cleansing the body of harmful toxins requires patience and discipline. Watching what you eat is one significant part of the healthy detox lifestyle. Regular exercise is an important compliment to the diet.   Physical activity that overloads the muscular or cardiovascular system increases the body’s amount of perspiration.   Sweating is an effective way for the body to expel certain substances. Of course caring for the liver is more than a two-week agenda but investing two weeks in a liver detox may be a great way to jump start a whole new healthy lifestyle.

It was a collaboration between intellect and imagination that enabled the development of the “virtual liver” which experts claim to be the most promising innovation in liver disease treatment.

Dubbed the “virtual liver,” this new technology is a breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. It is designed to provide surgeons with accurate information needed to carry out successful tumor operations, and ensure smooth recovery of patients.

A Virtual liver will improve diagnosis and treatment around the world

The virtual liver was developed through the PASSPORT (Patient-Specific Simulation and Pre-Operative Realistic Training) research project funded by the EU. The research team is made up of surgeons and scientists from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Switzerland.

This technology makes use of precise medical images of the liver acquired through radiology, and sent online across the web to a PASSPORT software.  PASSPORT uses an open-source online software that allows surgeons to work together virtually and collaborate. These images and analyses aid physicians in making important decisions regarding their patients’ surgical procedures.

The PASSPORT project was launched in 2008 as a part of the “Virtual Physiological Human” Network of Excellence (VPH NoE). The goal of these endeavors is to advance research in biomedical simulation of the human body. These projects were intended to maximize the potential of medical technology;  improving the lives of  people living with liver health challenges.

Liver cancer remains a prevalent threat worldwide. Liver transplant is the most sought-after treatment for this disease, but only a small number of livers are available for surgery,  making it almost impossible for the majority of liver cancer patients to undergo a liver transplant.   The next best option is to have the tumor surgically removed — an intricate and delicate process. Using data from the “virtual liver,” it becomes easier for surgeons to identify the precise location of a tumor, thus guiding their decisions on where and how to safely operate and remove the masses.

With the success of this project, doctors from around the globe will gain greater access to accurate and cost-effective means to diagnose liver cancer patients and prepare their surgical options.

By Toni Bacala

Being weight-conscious has health benefits, says studies (Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

The Holidays are over, relatives and friends have flown back to real life, having left you alone to stare at the mirror wondering: how many pounds have I gained? And seriously, asking yourself (drumroll right here): how do I get rid of this excess baggage?

Recently, the problem of obesity has risen up in the ranks, becoming a major health concern for the young and old. With fast food chains on virtually every corner, and food deliveries within an arm’s reach, it can be very easy to gain extra unwanted weight especially over the holiday season.

But be warned,  the dangers of obesity are  alarming. People living with obesity are more vulnerable to serious diseases, including liver diseases.  Obese people are more susceptible to various illnesses such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and liver disease, to cite a few.  Recent research shows that people with both obesity and hepatitis C are at a greater risk of developing fatal liver cancer, thus stronger preventive measures for both obesity and liver disease should go hand in hand.    In the U.S., about 300,000 deaths every year are linked to obesity.

The link between obesity and liver cancer has become so apparent that experts push for studies that identify people and communities with high risk factors to both diseases.   The Mayo Clinic studies determined that about eleven percent of liver cancer cases were, in fact, related to obesity. While this number may seem small to some, the prevalence of obesity especially among children, poses a significant health threat.

Obesity is defined by a percentage of body fat that exceeds thirty percent for women, and twenty-five percent for men. As we know, the accumulation of too much fat in the liver creates  damage that often leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).   The successful treatment of this disease begins with a full commitment to a low fat, healthy lifestyle.

By Toni Bacala

Drink moderately to celebrate a merry and healthy holiday (Photo Credit: Creative Commons)

The Holidays are here again and for many of us, the festive spirit is not complete without raising a glass or two of our favorite alcoholic libation! Before we pop the cork, here’s a reminder why we should keep alcohol consumption in check over the holidays. In the United States, more than 14,000 people die from alcohol related liver disease each year. Alcohol consumption has been linked to liver inflammation, and several studies have revealed that women are at a higher risk to develop alcoholic hepatitis than men. The dangers of alcohol overuse have also proven to cause heart disease and for women, it increases their vulnerability to breast cancer.

Alcohol intake is especially unsafe for people with hepatitis. Healthy people with no liver disease should also be wary of the danger alcohol may pose to our liver.

The liver is a complex organ that is responsible for breaking toxins, metabolizing sugar and storing fats. The majority of the blood that flows from the digestive tract is received by the liver. Since alcohol absorbs into our blood, it also moves through the liver. Processing alcohol takes much work for our liver as it detoxifies about eighty percent of the alcohol that we drink. The liver also processes the sugar in alcohol, most of which remains stored in the body’s mid-section as fats and is not converted to energy. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to damaged liver tissue, and may eventually lead to impaired liver function or worse- liver failure.

Not everyone is willing to deprive themselves of the joys of social drinking during the holiday season, nor does everyone need to; but alcohol intake should be kept to a minimum. Also, we can always choose healthier and tasty options over cocktails. Think about choosing a zesty concoction of your favorite juice mixed with seltzer or perhaps a warm blend of berries and herbal tea. You can always experiment with recipes for mock champagne with ginger ale, pineapple juice and white grape juice, or a tornado twist with cranberry-raspberry juice with lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage.

Should you do decide to drink at your Christmas dinner or a New Year’s party, be mindful to drink in moderation. Cheers!

By Toni Bacala