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Liver Health
I am not an alcohol drinker, but why am I diagnosed with fatty liver?
It is a typical myth that only alcohol drinkers are at risk of having liver issues. Liver issues can be caused by both alcohol and non-alcohol lifestyle. Frequent consumption of high-fat and/or high-sugar food is one of the significant contributors to the development of fatty liver. Other potential modifiable factors include being overweight/obese, lose weight rapidly, and having unfavourable health conditions (e.g. diabetic, high cholesterol).
How do I know my liver status?
Liver diseases typically show no sign and symptom. This is because liver has very limited nerves, so it may not send out any signals even its function has degraded up to 80%. Thus, liver is also named as “the silent organ”. Hence, it is recommended to have regular blood check on Liver Function Test (eg AST, ALT, GGT test). Furthermore, you may also undergo regular imaging scanning (eg abdomen ultrasound) to have clearer image of your liver status. Imaging scanning test able to help identify whether there is any excess fat deposition or abnormal tissue growth (eg cyst, tumor) on your liver.
How does essential phospholipid boost liver health?
Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid which function as the major component of liver cell membrane. Liver cell membrane is made up of bilayer phospholipid that support cell structure and act as barrier to separate the interior of cells from the outside environments. For liver to regenerate and repair its own liver cell, liver require an adequate supply of essential phospholipid (phosphatidylcholine). Phosphatidylcholine supplementation has been shown to help improve clinical and biochemical data of patients with fatty liver, hepatitis and also cirrhosis through facilitate healthy cell growth and repair of damaged liver cells.
What is fatty liver?
A fatty liver is the result of the excessive fat deposited in the liver cells. Phospholipids together with vitamins B and E are able to provide triple actions in protecting the fatty liver.
Action 1 (Regenerator)
Phospholipids facilitate healthy liver cell growth & repair damaged cells
Action 2 (Detoxifier)
B vitamins improve liver metabolism to facilitate better detoxification processes
Action 3 (Protector)
Vitamin E act as antioxidant to prevent lipid peroxidation on the liver cells
What is the factor that contribute to overburden liver?
Stressful or unhealthy lifestyle, over consumption of high fat/frying foods, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, long term dependence of medication are factors that contribute to overburden liver. Liver do play an important role in digestion and detoxification. Milk thistle is well known for its liver protective properties. Op for high strength milk strength milk thistle for better liver protection.
What is the best way to quit smoking? I have tried to quit smoking several times due to health concerns but my attempts failed. Please give me some suggestions.
A recent visit to my doctor confirmed that I have fatty liver and it is due to excessive consumption of alcohol. Besides abstaining from alcoholic beverages, what else can I do to improve my well-being?
After the recent blood test, I found that I am a Hepatitis B carrier. How do I go about it? This is really frighten me.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and hepatitis B carriers are at an increased risk of liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver failure. it is caused by the hepatitis B virus and can be spread through blood and body fluids of an infected person. Therefore, as a carrier, you should practice safe lifestyle habits that will prevent the passing of virus on to others. The preventive methods include:
(i) Practice protected sex
(ii) Never share syringes or needles
(iii) Avoid unnecessary blood transfusions
(iv) Cover all cuts, blisters, and open sores with a bandage
(v) Do not share cigarettes, nail clipper, scissors and other personal items such as toothbrush and razor with close contacts
(vi) Reduce the frequency of eating out and at the same time, avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking as it can cause further damage to the liver.
The liver is an important organ that plays major functions in the body and milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver. This herb is best combined with dandelion for synergistic effect and acts as a liver tonic that improves liver health. Hepatitis B carriers usually do not feel sick and with proper lifestyle modifications and supplementations, it can help prevent further complication as well as protect your close contacts from being infected.