Pune : One of the important organs, Liver carries out multiple functions including detoxification, metabolism, digestion, immunity and many other. But improper lifestyle has been significantly impacted liver health. However Simple day to day lifestyle modifications can help keep our liver healthy, opined experts.
The World Liver Day on 19 April highlights the importance of this vital organ . This year’s theme is “Food is Medicine,” with a goal of educating the public that eating a balanced diet can help prevent liver disease and ensure proper liver function.
Dr Pramod Katare – Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Therapeutic GI Endoscopist. At Noble Hospital and Research Centre said that improper lifestyle and diet full of sugar and fat, refined flour is a major risk factor for fatty liver in today’s times. If neglected over a period of time it can cause irreversible damage to the liver. The major concern is that many of the patients approaching us are young in their late twenties and early thirties. Our liver does not show any symptoms till it is damaged to about 80%. So, the damage continues silently till a stage where it can become irreversible. Most of the time fatty liver is asymptomatic, although the common symptoms include fatigue. People get diagnosed with fatty liver during health checkups or when they present with some other conditions like acidity. The condition is rapidly becoming as common as obesity or hypertension. However, this can be reversed if people become aware of fatty liver. Taking into consideration today’s lifestyle and diet of the working population, a simple blood test (liver function test- LFT) and if required sonography can help detect fatty liver in early stages. Those with a rather bad lifestyle may go in for LFT post the age of 25 years. Whenever any patient is diagnosed with fatty liver at early stages, we recommend simple lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise. If it does not work then medicines are prescribed. Intermittent fasting if done properly helps but many people go too far to reduce weight which will not help. Only diet is not enough, diet coupled with exercise is the key to get rid of fatty liver.
