Maintaining Liver Health: Expert Explains Importance of Quality Sleep and Avoiding Processed Foods
Liver Health on the Line: Awarness Against Junk Food and Late-Night Eating
India's renowned hepatologist, Dr. S.K. Sarin, stirred an important conversation, warning against the consumption of junk food and late-night eating. In a social media post on platform X, he emphasized the harmful impact both can have on liver health.
Junk food, accented with unhealthy fats, sugars, and processed ingredients, is a clear danger. As Sarin remarked with a blunt warning, "If you consider your stomach and intestines to be dustbins, put that food inside. Otherwise, avoid it." Consuming such foods regularly increases the risk of weight gain, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and a slew of other issues.
The culprit behind these health concerns is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), a chronic liver disease marked by excessive fat accumulation in the liver of individuals who do not consume large quantities of alcohol. This condition is commonly found in those with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol levels. In India, fatty liver disease is on the rise, affecting approximately three out of ten people in the country.
Sarin also highlighted the significance of maintaining a good sleep schedule and avoiding late-night meals. Studies have shown that poor sleep and late-night eating can up the risk of fatty liver disease, as well as promote the advancement of fibrosis, a sign of liver damage.
The consequences of ignoring these warnings reach far beyond fatty liver disease, as persistent NAFLD may result in more serious complications, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually, liver cancer. These conditions can progress silently, often appearing only during advanced stages.
The risks posed by junk food and late-night eating don't stop at liver health alone. Junk food strains the liver despite its overburdened nature, and late-night eating disrupts the circadian rhythm, generating oxidative stress and inflammation. Artificial additives, trans fats, and excess salt in junk food aggravate the situation further.
The takeaway remains simple: maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, and stick to a regular eating schedule for optimal liver health. Consuming healthy foods at appropriate times and reducing exposure to artificial additives can significantly lower the risk of NAFLD by up to 50%.
- Avoiding junk food, which contains unhealthy fats, sugars, and processed ingredients, can help reduce the risk of health issues such as weight gain, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and more.
- Dr. S.K. Sarin, a renowned hepatologist, cautioned against late-night eating, stating that it can increase the risk of fatty liver disease and promote the advancement of fibrosis, a sign of liver damage.
- Good sleep schedule and avoiding late-night meals are essential for maintaining liver health, as studies have shown a link between poor sleep, late-night eating, and the onset of fatty liver disease.
- In addition to the impact on liver health, junk food consumption and late-night eating can also disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation.
- To ensure optimal liver health, it's advisable to consume a balanced diet, avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, maintain a regular eating schedule, and lower exposure to artificial additives to significantly lower the risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) by up to 50%.
