Guard your liver
ACCORDING to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015, 17.5% of Malaysian adults have diabetes and its prevalence is expected to increase from year to year.
Diabetes is characterised by hyperglycaemia or elevated glucose (sugar) level in the blood caused by insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance or both.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that keeps our blood sugar level from getting too high or too low (hypoglycaemia). It allows our body to use or store sugar from carbohydrates as energy.
For instance, when we eat rice, the rice is digested into glucose (the smallest form of sugar), causing the blood sugar level in the body to rise. At the same time, insulin is produced to transport the glucose from the blood to body cells for energy production.
Glucose is stored in our liver in the form of glycogen. An adequate amount of insulin inhibits the release of glucose into the bloodstream by telling the liver to store those glucose.
If there is a lack of insulin, the liver releases glucose faster than tissues can metabolise it, causing the blood sugar level to rise.
Besides insulin deficiency, too much insulin can also make you sick. This refers to insulin resistance.
Individuals with insulin resistance lose the ability to convert glucose into energy, resulting in them feeling weak and craving for carbohydraterich or sugary food.
The elevated levels of insulin in the bloodstream sends signals to the liver to manufacture fat, especially triglycerides and cholesterol. Too much fat production promotes the accumulation of fat in the liver, which eventually develops into fatty liver.
If left untreated, fatty liver can progress into no -alcoho i
a and lead to liver failure.
The liver’s ability to repair and regenerate itself makes this largest internal organ a unique one. Therefore, it deserves to be guarded with hepatoprotective nutrients such as silybin to maintain its proper function.
Silybin is the most active constituent of silymarin, which is derived from Silybum marianum or milk thistle.
As an antioxidant, silybin neutralises free radicals and inhibits lipid peroxidation. It also assists in the detoxification process by removing toxins from the liver.
Other hepatoprotective nutrients include essential phospholipids, B vitamins and vitamin E. Phospholipids help regenerate and repair liver cell membranes. B vitamins enhance liver metabolism, thus facilitating better detoxification, while vitamin E serves as a protector for liver health and maintenance.
Starting from the roots
If you have diabetes, getting to the root cause is the best way to manage and prevent liver disease.
Maintain your blood sugar level in a desirable range
Lose weight gradually to achieve an ideal body mass index
Move more and get physically active every day
Cut down foods high in carbohydrate (sugar) and fat
Drink eight glasses of plain water daily
Include liver health examinations in your annual medical check-up
Guard your liver with hepatoprotective nutrients
Stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol
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