One nasty side effect of liver disease
About one out of nine adults in America say they’re experiencing cognitive decline — a potential precursor of dementia. Mild cognitive decline affects 22 percent of folks 65 and older, while almost 10 percent of seniors have full-blown dementia, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology.
But sometimes cognition problems are a symptom of another condition — and can be reversed or avoided altogether. A new study in JAMA reveals that up to 10 percent of so-called dementia cases may really be a side effect of liver disease, which often goes undiagnosed.
Around 100 million Americans have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE). That can trigger neurological disruptions, as the liver loses its ability to filter brain-damaging toxins from the body. NAFLD is caused by obesity, Type 2 diabetes, elevated LDL cholesterol and insulin resistance.
Upgrading your nutritional choices and increasing your physical activity level can slow or reverse early-stage NAFLD — and protect your brain.
The researchers in the JAMA study concluded that any patient with dementia should be screened for cirrhosis to uncover “reversible factors associated with cognitive impairment, such as HE.” Long before you develop cirrhosis, if you’re noticing cognition problems, talk with your doctor about being screened for NAFLD and other liver disorders, so you can protect your brain from collateral damage.
Pump up your iron
According to the American Medical Association, the more than 10 million people in the United States with iron deficiency (half have iron-deficiency anemia) need to increase intake of heme iron from animal sources and nonheme iron from plants. Animal sources include fish and poultry. Nonheme sources are green, leafy vegetables, beans and nuts, as well as tofu, dates, figs and raisins. Nonheme iron is less well-absorbed, but you can increase absorption by eating citrus fruits or taking a vitamin C supplement along with your iron-supplying foods.
Low levels of iron lead to fatigue and lightheadedness because there’s a lack of oxygen-transporting red blood cells in your body. Iron is also needed to produce various hormones and for brain development. Severe deficiency is associated with a fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, a sore tongue, extreme fatigue and cold hands and feet.