Protect your liver from damage
There are over 100 types of diseases which can affect the liver but the most common one is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – the accumulation of excessive fat in the liver associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, diabetes (type 2) or other disorders characterised by insulin resistance.
Fatty liver can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASh), a more advanced form of NAFLD as long-term presence of extra fat in the liver leads to inflammation and cell injury.
When fat build-up exceeds 5% of the liver’s weight, it causes free radicals and oxidants that damage molecules and cells in the liver, and prevent cells from metabolising fat.
Subsequently, it will lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, in which there are scarring and hardening of liver tissues.
According to recent findings, Malaysia has the highest obesity rate in Asia and more than 70% people with NASh are obese, due to increased consumption of food high in fat, sugar and other high-calorie foods.
Sedentary lifestyles and insufficient exercise are also to blame.
Up to 75% of people with NASh have type 2 diabetes due to fat accumulation in the liver linked to insulin resistance.
People with metabolic syndrome, high blood triglyceride levels and/or high blood cholesterol levels (also known as hyperlipidemia), may have high risk of getting fatty liver too. Whether the damage to the liver can be reversed depends on the extent of the damage.
In the early stages, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be reversed with lifestyle changes, such as having regular exercise routine, losing excess weight, increasing physical activity and changing to a healthy diet.
Fatty, oily, processed food and sugar should be reduced. The diet should contain more raw vegetables and fruits as this help cleanse and repair the liver so it can remove fat and toxins from the blood better.
To prevent, reduce or reverse liver fat build-up and liver damage, add phosphatidylcholine in your diet.
Phosphatidylcholine can help replenish and restore cell membranes that have been damaged by oxidants and free radicals.
Studies show that choline is essential for normal liver function and is found in the body’s cell membranes.
Phosphatidylcholine also has protective effects in non-alcoholic liver disorders, including protection against various other toxic substances. It can be found in food like eggs and soybeans.
But it is not easy to get enough from food alone. Taking a health supplement containing phosphatidylcholine helps keep cells healthy and functioning optimally.
In addition to phosphatidylcholine, the liver needs B vitamins and vitamin e to help prevent or reverse fatty liver disease.
B vitamins help cells to metabolise and convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy. They help break down fats, playing a role in preventing the build-up that leads to fatty liver disease. By promoting the decongestion of the liver, B vitamins help it to function better.
Vitamin e is also essential as it helps reduce oxidative stress to the liver caused by free radicals and oxidants. Antioxidants work together with vitamin e to neutralise free radicals and oxidants, preventing further damage while the liver repairs inflicted cells.
Collectively phosphatidylcholine, B vitamins and vitamin e protect the liver from the inside out.
This article is brought to you by leading science and technology company Merck.
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