New Delhi: “Fatty liver, especially alcoholic fatty liver leads to a decrease in longevity. Probability of heart attack, stroke and diabetes goes up among those suffering from fatty liver, chances of developing Type-2 diabetes sets in much sooner compared to others and controlling it also becomes tougher” said Chairman of Department of Gastrentalogy, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram,Dr Gaurdas Choudhari.
Dr Choudhari was adderessing a webinar titled 'Preventions and Treatment of Liver Ailments', organized by ASSOCHAM recently.Dr Ashish Kumar, Senior consultant, Institute of Liver Gastrentology and Pancreatic Billiary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital also participated at the webinar, he explained the relationship between obesity and fatty liver “obese people would invariably have fat around their liver as well in the heart and pancreas. Alcohol beyond permissible limits leads to accumulation of fat in the liver called ‘alcoholic fatty liver’. Whenever the fat content of the liver exceeds 10% it is fatty liver.”
Chairman of Indian Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Dr SK Sarin pointed out some precautions regarding liver health that ought to be observed "Latest scientific discoveries show that the mother should not feed her newborn during the first month of its life as that could raise the possibility of the baby developing fatty liver for the rest of its life. Giving sugar to the baby during first three years of its life or extra fructose changes liver bacteria which never comes back raising the chances of a fatty liver. Warts or black lines on the neck is an indication of fatty liver.”
Dr Sarin strongly advised people to keep an eye on their SGPT count “SGPT of 80 means diabetes is likely to occur in 10 to 15 years, if SGPT is this high then the patient is likely to have arteries and blood pressure problems as well. SGPT is more important than hemoglobin.”
Dr Ashish advised against over consumption of sugar and refined foods "sugar and refined carbohydrates like maida, white rice are not good for the liver, when one consumes these things the body produces insulin.
Insulin resistance develops once too much of sugar is consumed without adequate amounts of exercise being performed. The reality is that it is not fat consumption that is leading to obesity or fatty liver but it is over consumption of carbohydrates which is getting converted to fat."
He gave certain dietery tips for maintenance of better liver health "What people should do is to increase green vegetables and fruit consumption, reduce fat intake and increase protein intake. High protein, high fibre diet along with a lot of fruits and vegetables and reduction in fat and sugars would be better for the liver."
Dr Chaudhari said tea and coffee are healthy options for the liver if these are consumed in the proper manner "there are seven studies done by insurance companies who wanted to ascertain which category of people suffer more from liver diseases, it was seen that those people who consume coffee regularly have lesser prevalence of liver diseases. It has been proved that coffee gives some protection to the liver. However tea and coffee without sugar or milk are the healthiest option, unfortunately in India tea and coffee both are usually taken with milk and sugar."
Dr Sarin suggested some foods that are good for liver health "Vinegar and walnuts are very good for liver, raw turmeric and coffee without sugar and milk too are good for the liver. Sprouts are very good as they prevent bacteria from intestine to go into the liver. What we eat is not absorbed by our body unless it is processed by the bacteria, hence we need to take care of the health of these bacteria, we should make it a point that we go to sleep early. People eating at night would gain weight among other health problems"(UNI)