liver Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Liver Detoxification a Smart Way to Help Resolve Chronic Health Problems

The AHA! Team — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 05:22:40 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – a condition in which excess fat accumulates in the liver – is nearing epidemic proportions in the United States. Yet, the silence about this major health condition is deafening. For example, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that up to 40 percent of American adults have some degree of NAFLD – a shocking statistic. But the bad news doesn’t stop there. Recent research has shed light on the growing prevalence of NAFLD, even among children. So, obviously, a substantial portion of the population could benefit from liver detoxification. Poor liver function can also contribute to other chronic health issues, such as “leaky gut” syndrome and various autoimmune disorders. Fortunately, a holistic medicine approach can help to identify and address the root causes of disease with proper testing, lifestyle coaching, nutritional interventions and supplements designed to promote liver detoxification. Urgent need for liver detoxification: The alarming rise of environmental toxins damaging our health It is probably safe to say that we are being flooded, like never before, by an onslaught of toxins. Heavily processed foods, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), trans fats, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, dyes, prescription medications, and environmental toxins (such as synthetic pesticides, hormones, and heavy metals) all place a tremendous burden on the body in general – especially the liver. Along with breaking down hormones, drugs, and environmental toxins, the liver also helps clear the body of naturally occurring waste products – such as ammonia and bilirubin – and destroys old and worn-out red blood cells. In addition to its detoxifying duties, the liver produces the bile that is necessary to break down fats, produces essential proteins and cholesterol, and stores essential vitamins. However, a liver overwhelmed by toxins can’t adequately carry out these essential functions. To make matters worse, many people tend to drink too much alcohol – which suppresses natural bodily functions. Impaired liver function can be indicated by a wide range of signs and symptoms, including dark urine, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), itchy skin, fatigue, and excessive sweating. Digestive problems – such as heartburn, nausea, constipation, and bloating – can also be a tip-off to liver problems, along with anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, and a tendency to bruise easily. If you think you may have liver disease, promptly consult a trusted holistic healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Warning: Impaired detoxification pathways can promote inflammation and autoimmune disorders To rid the body of toxins, the liver must transform fat-soluble compounds into water-soluble compounds, a process that allows them to be eliminated via urine, feces, or perspiration. This involves two primary detoxification pathways: Phase I and Phase II. Phase I changes the structure of the compound to allow molecules to attach to it. In Phase II, the liver metabolizes the compound through processes such as methylation and sulfation. As compounds pass through Phase I, they become (temporarily) more immune-reactive and pro-inflammatory. This normal process can become a problem, however, if the liver has poor detoxification function. If the Phase II pathway is disrupted or impaired, compounds that have been made more inflammatory in Phase I may end up back in circulation – causing systemic inflammation and immune system reactions and setting the stage for autoimmune disease. In this manner, poor liver function can contribute to a host of problems, including leaky gut, food and chemical sensitivities, and autoimmune disorders. 4 ways to support your detoxification pathways – naturally Fortunately, a wide variety of natural and herbal supplements have tried-and-true abilities to promote liver health and spark up sluggish detoxification pathways. Betaine – an amino acid found in wheat bran, beets, spinach, and “ancient” grains such as quinoa and bulgar – assists in the breakdown and removal of fats from the liver. It has also been shown to protect against toxins and chemicals found in pesticides (including ethanol and carbon tetrachloride) and is particularly effective for Phase II methylation support. Milk thistle is also effective at detoxifying heavy metals and medications. Studies have shown that its active ingredient, silymarin, strengthens the walls of liver cells. Dandelion greens have a natural diuretic effect on the liver, allowing it to flush out toxins more quickly and efficiently. They also support healthy bile production. Finally, N-acetyl-cysteine – a derivative of the amino acid cysteine – replenishes levels of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier. (N-acetyl-cysteine is so effective at protecting the liver that it is administered in cases of acetaminophen overdose in order to help ward off liver failure). Of course, always check with a trusted holistic healthcare provider before supplementing. Cleanse the liver by eating the right foods Potassium is closely tied to liver health. Eating healthy amounts of organic sweet potatoes, bananas, beet greens, and spinach can help you reach the recommended daily amount of 4,700 mg. Leafy greens such as organic kale contain chlorophyll, which binds to toxins and heavy metals and helps remove them from the bloodstream. (Another plus: dark leafy greens like kale and dandelion greens enhance the flow of bile). Organic carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. This fat-soluble nutrient can effectively flush toxins from the liver. Cruciferous vegetables, such as organic Brussels sprouts and cabbage, are rich in glucosinolates, compounds that support enzyme production in the liver. Organic citrus fruits, bell peppers, and strawberries provide healthy amounts of vitamin C, which helps convert toxic materials to water-soluble forms. Finally, organic walnuts are high in arginine – which is particularly helpful in detoxifying ammonia – and rich in glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. Of course, don’t forget about the detoxifying power of ‘liver cleanses,’ which can help rid the liver of deposits and toxins – while increasing energy and well-being, improving digestion and lipid profiles, and boosting memory and cognition. Natural health experts recommend at least two liver (and gallbladder) cleanses a year. Editor’s note: Find out how to eliminate the threat of fatty liver disease with highly effective natural protocols, own the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. NIH.gov DrKNews.com GlobalHealingCenter.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

The post Liver Detoxification a Smart Way to Help Resolve Chronic Health Problems appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Damage in 50% of Patients with No Warning Signs

The AHA! Team — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 05:23:04 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Major warning about heartburn drugs: The problems can develop “silently” Heartburn medications like Prevacid, Nexium, and Prilosec are widely used by Americans with acid reflux. Up to 50 percent of sufferers turn to these drugs. With the backing of big pharma, these brand names have become synonymous with relief for many. Currently, around 7% to 15% of the U.S. population, regardless of age or gender, regularly uses proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs are commonly prescribed to treat reflux and heartburn by reducing stomach acid, and millions more buy them over the counter. However, emerging research links long-term PPI use to potential kidney damage, a serious condition that can develop quietly, often without noticeable symptoms. Major warning about heartburn drugs: The problems can develop “silently” In a five-year study of 125,000 patients published in Kidney International, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that more than half of the cases of chronic kidney damage and end-stage renal damage occurred in people without any previous record of kidney problems. According to senior study author Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, assistant professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine, the study showed that kidney problems in patients taking PPIs could develop silently and gradually over time, eroding kidney function and leading to long-term kidney damage or even renal failure. End-stage renal disease is the failure of kidneys to remove waste from the body, necessitating either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dr. Al-Aly warned that doctors must carefully monitor kidney function in patients taking PPIs – including lansoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole – even when there are no signs or symptoms of damage. The study also evaluated 18,436 new users of another type of heartburn medication: histamine H2 receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers. While H2 blockers don’t work as well on heartburn, researchers found they are less likely to cause kidney problems. Additional studies confirm researchers’ disturbing findings An earlier study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology also showed that long-term use of heartburn medications is associated with kidney damage, with PPI users 28 percent more likely to experience chronic kidney disease and a shocking 96 percent more likely to develop kidney failure. The longer the drugs were taken, the higher the risk. The daily dosage also affects risk. In a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the team found that twice-a-day users of PPIs tripled their risk over people who took a single daily dose. The research team called for using PPIs only when “medically necessary” and limiting the duration of the treatment as well. Lead author Dr. Morgan Grams, assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, pointed out that up to 70 percent of acid reflux prescriptions are handed out “inappropriately” – and he estimated that a full 25 percent of long-term users could stop taking the medication without suffering increased heartburn or acid reflux. Of course, stemming the flow of prescribed PPIs will do nothing to reduce the number of people buying – and taking – these medications over the counter. And, the damage from PPIs isn’t limited to the kidneys. PPIs affect the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals PPIs interfere with the body’s ability to extract vitamin B12, an essential nutrient, from foods. Studies have shown that 75 percent of PPI users are deficient in vitamin B12 – compared to 11 percent among the general non-using population. PPIs can cause dramatic declines in blood magnesium levels, characterized by symptoms of fatigue, unsteadiness, numbness and tingling, seizures, and heart arrhythmias. As if that weren’t enough, PPIs can also lead to poor calcium absorption, raising the risk of bone fracture – especially in older patients. In addition, PPI users are more likely to be obese and have high blood pressure. PPIs are also associated with higher rates of pneumonia and C. difficile, a potentially dangerous bacterial infection. And finally, a German study showed that older adults who take proton pump inhibitors have a 44 percent increased chance of developing dementia. Natural solutions exist for acid reflux Many natural health experts point out that heartburn typically results from too little stomach acid rather than too much – and that PPIs can actually worsen the problem. You may be able to ease heartburn and acid reflux with simple dietary and lifestyle changes – such as avoiding fried, fatty, and processed foods, eating smaller meals, chewing food well, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking. Eating healthy amounts of vegetables and high-quality organic, unprocessed foods can help restore natural gastric balance, while consuming fermented foods – such as sauerkraut, miso soup, and kimchi – can help eliminate the H. pylori bacterium that can contribute to reflux. Natural, time-honored remedies for heartburn include unfiltered apple cider vinegar, baking soda, ginger root tea, chamomile tea, and slippery elm. Of course, you shouldn’t stop or substitute any prescribed medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. The best advice on PPIs comes from Dr. Kenneth DeVault, president of the American College of Gastroenterology, “If you don’t need these medications, you shouldn’t take them,” advises DeVault. Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to take better care of your liver, kidneys and metabolic health, own the “Best Value” package of the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Pharmacytimes.com Medicine.washu.edu Kidney-international.org Sciencedaily.com Sciencedaily.com To read the original article click here.

The post Heartburn Drugs Linked to Kidney Damage in 50% of Patients with No Warning Signs appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

How Milk Thistle Extract can Support Liver Health and Healing

The AHA! Team — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 05:29:03 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – With its spiky purple flowers and dull green leaves, milk thistle may appear to be nothing more than an ordinary weed growing wild in vacant lots and fields. Yet, this unimpressive-looking plant is truly a shining star when it comes to avoiding disease and promoting healing. Milk thistle, scientifically known as Silybum marianum, is prized by natural healers for its ability to eliminate liver ailments, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is currently reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. But supporting liver health is not milk thistle’s only gift. Discover how this extraordinary herb can help you. Milk thistle protects against toxic effects from cancer treatment, arrests tumors The active ingredient in milk thistle, an antioxidant flavonoid called silymarin, reduces the inflammation and oxidative damage that can trigger cancer. It also helps preserve glutathione, the body’s premier inflammation-fighting antioxidant. Scientists have known for some time that milk thistle may act against cancer. In a review conducted at the University of Minnesota, researchers cited “strong evidence” for silymarin’s liver-protective and anti-cancer effects. Significantly, they credited silymarin with combating cancer by inhibiting the binding of toxins to cell membrane receptors. In a new study published in The International Journal of Oncology, researchers found that silibinin, a form of silymarin, suppressed chemoresistance, the condition in which cancer fails to respond to the effects of drugs. The team noted that silibinin also prevented further malignancy, protected against potentially cancer-causing DNA mutations, and inhibited tumor growth. In other research, researchers found that silymarin also helps prevent liver damage from chemotherapy and protects the skin and mucosal lining from damage from radiation therapy. Milk thistle is a potent antifungal agent Overgrowth of Candida albicans, a common fungus, can cause symptoms of fatigue, “brain fog,” digestive problems, and skin rashes. And, a growing problem of drug resistance in pharmaceutical antifungals – which parallels the current epidemic of antibiotic resistance – can make Candida difficult to treat. Researchers have found that silymarin can penetrate the cell membrane of the Candida microbe, stopping the pathogen’s growth and spread and helping to clear the overgrowth. Silymarin is also effective in blocking and inhibiting biofilms, layered communities of pathogenic microorganisms that are stubbornly resistant to treatment. Silymarin helps to regulate glucose levels For the past thousand years, herbalists and Ayurvedic healers have advised milk thistle to support healthy blood sugar levels, and modern research confirms the value of this ancient remedy. In one recent study, a 90-day course of a combination of milk thistle, boswellia, and nettles slashed hemoglobin A1c levels – a measure of blood sugar over several months – by a substantial 19 percent. The herbal combination also drastically reduced blood sugar levels – from an average of 150 to 180 mg/dL to an average of 124 mg/dL – and triglyceride levels. In addition, a recently published cell study shows that silymarin protects the retina from diabetic damage, a common consequence of the disease. The Big NEWS: Milk thistle supports a healthy liver Milk thistle’s main claim to fame is its ability to improve liver enzymes, rebuild liver cells, and alleviate liver ailments. In addition to easing hepatitis and cirrhosis, milk thistle shows promise in dealing with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and halting the progression to steatohepatitis, a more serious form of the condition. Research has supported milk thistle’s beneficial effects on liver disease, with one study showing that hepatitis patients treated with silymarin returned to work sooner and experienced less depression and anxiety than those in the control group. In addition, milk thistle helps detoxify the liver and protect against injury from heavy metals and drugs. In a review published in Phytotherapy Research, the team credited silymarin with reducing liver injury caused by a variety of toxins, drugs, and heavy metals, including acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, radiation, alcohol, iron overload, and Amanita phalloides, a type of poisonous mushroom. As an added bonus: milk thistle’s protective effects also extend to the stomach. The herb has been shown to suppress gastric inflammation and protect against ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Surprising fact: Milk thistle has antidepressant properties Yet another surprising benefit of milk thistle is its ability to function as a natural mood elevator. Animal studies support its ability to reduce anxiety and depression caused by traumatic brain injury, which it appears to do by reducing the activity of microglial cells caused by a disturbance in the neural circuits between the limbic system and the cortex of the brain. In one study, silymarin performed as well as the pharmaceutical drugs fluoxetine (Prozac) and diazepam (Valium) in supporting mood. Researchers noted that silymarin reversed stress-induced changes to the hippocampus and cerebral cortex while boosting levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Because of silymarin’s ability to reduce inflammation and neurodegeneration, researchers are even exploring its potential to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. How should I take milk thistle? Experts recommend temporary short-term amounts of 150 mg, taken one to three times a day, for detoxification. A holistic healthcare provider may recommend 50 to 150 mg a day for liver support, maintenance, and longer-term use. Use a formulation standardized to 70 to 80 percent silymarin for best results. As always, consult your holistic doctor to determine if milk thistle is right for you and to determine the proper amount. Although it is generally considered safe and well tolerated, high amounts can cause mild digestive upset. Note: if you are allergic to any member of the aster family – such as daisies, ragweed, marigolds, or chrysanthemums – don’t take milk thistle. Milk thistle has long been revered for its ability to cleanse and detoxify the liver. However, recent research confirming its ability to ward off other diseases demonstrates that this herb is valuable and versatile. Editor’s note: To support healthy liver function, I highly recommend LuvByNature LiverLuv – which is gluten free, non-GMO and delicious. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov NIH.gov To read the original article click here.

The post How Milk Thistle Extract can Support Liver Health and Healing appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Menopause Drug Receives FDA Black Box Warning for Risk of Severe Liver Injury

The AHA! Team — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 05:04:56 +0000

Stephanie Woods via NaturalHealth365 – Once again, Big Pharma is chasing the almighty dollar, treating the natural process of aging as a disease, and exposing women to serious injury while doing it. A “black box warning,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) most serious warning, has been placed on Veozah (fezolinetant), a drug marketed to menopausal women seeking relief from hot flashes. The drug became suspected of causing severe liver problems when a case was entered into the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database. Big Pharma’s latest menopause drug comes with a severe liver injury warning The details of the case entered into the FAERS database described a reaction to the drug that was characterized by symptoms that included nausea, yellow skin and eyes, fatigue, dark urine, itching, and light-colored stools. All of these point to serious liver injury. Within 40 days of the patient starting Veozah, the symptoms were very prominent. She experienced elevated liver blood test values and abnormal bilirubin and liver enzyme levels. Once she stopped taking the drug, her symptoms gradually decreased and eventually went away completely. Over time, her blood test values returned to normal as well. FDA downplays liver injury risks of Veozah while Big Pharma profits from side effects The FDA offered its standard response: “All medicines have side effects, even when used correctly as prescribed.” However, the agency failed to address the significant revenue generated from the serious side effects that benefit pharmaceutical companies. The liver injury in question was severe, requiring additional treatment with more medications to counteract the damage caused by the first drug. In Big Pharma’s world, even when they lose, they still win. FDA downplayed risks The FDA downplayed the risks by using carefully crafted language, emphasizing that liver injury is rare and individual medication responses vary. This made it impossible to predict whether others might suffer the same adverse effects. The agency issued new guidelines for healthcare professionals and patients, recommending more frequent liver blood tests while on Veozah. Patients should undergo testing once a month for the first two months and then at three, six, and nine months. If any signs of liver injury appear, patients are instructed to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Aging is not a curse Aging is a natural process, with the human body undergoing various changes as it adapts to shifting hormone levels and other factors. However, for Big Pharma, it’s an opportunity to profit. According to Medicare’s National Health Expenditure report, adults 65 and older spend more than five times the average on personal health care, reaching $22,356 in 2020. There is an overwhelming societal push to stay unnaturally young. The media constantly feeds us messages suggesting we’re never quite good enough and that as we age, we become irrelevant. Staying young has become synonymous with staying relevant. Sadly, many doctors buy into this narrative, promoting age-defying “remedies” that fuel the industry’s agenda. But aging is not a disease. Cut your risks of pharmaceutical injury with natural solutions There are several natural ways to reduce hot flashes without the harmful side effects that often come with pharmaceutical treatments. One study found that a plant-based, vegan diet rich in soy helped women reduce their hot flashes by 88%. This simple dietary change not only alleviates hot flashes but also eliminates the risk of harmful side effects associated with drugs. Other natural remedies, such as Dong Quai, black cohosh, and red clover, have also been shown to offer relief. Consult with your holistic healthcare provider about incorporating these natural menopause remedies into your routine instead of turning to drugs that can harm your body. The human body is an incredible machine that thrives when given the proper support. Nurture it with natural solutions, and it will serve you well. Editor’s note: Discover natural ways to detoxify the liver and avoid unwanted disease symptoms, own the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: FDA.gov CMS.gov FDA.gov To read the original article click here.

The post Menopause Drug Receives FDA Black Box Warning for Risk of Severe Liver Injury appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Obesity’s Impacts on Our Immune System & Kidney & Liver Diseases

The AHA! Team — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 05:24:00 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What are the effects of weight loss on natural killer cell function, our first line of immune defense against cancer, kidney function, and fatty liver disease? In the ABCs of the health consequences of obesity, I is for Immunity. The SOS trial followed the fates of thousands of bariatric surgery patients for a decade or two, compared to a control group who maintained their weight. Those who surgically lost about 20 percent of their body weight not only lived longer, thanks in part to less diabetes and less cardiovascular disease, but they also got less cancer. This may be because anti-tumor immunity appears to be affected by weight. Natural killer cells are our immune system’s first line of defense against cancer cells and many viral infections, “and their function is severely impaired in individuals with obesity.” When individuals who were obese were randomized to a weight-loss program, researchers found a significant reactivation of the participants’ natural killer cell function within just three months. The program involved an exercise component, though, so it’s hard to tease out the impact of the weight loss itself since physical activity on its own can boost natural killer cell activity. On the other end of the immune spectrum, obesity is suspected to be a causal risk factor for the development of the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. This suggests obesity is associated with the worst of both worlds when it comes to immune function: underactivity when it comes to protecting against cancer and infection, and overactivity when it comes to certain inflammatory autoimmune conditions. J is for Jaundice. Thanks to the obesity epidemic, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is now the most common liver disorder in the industrialized world. Fat doesn’t just end up in our belly and thighs but inside some of our internal organs. More than 80 percent of individuals with abdominal obesity may have fatty infiltration into their liver, and in those with severe obesity, the prevalence can exceed 90 percent. This can lead to inflammation, scarring, and, ultimately, cirrhosis and liver cancer, as you can see below and a 2:10 in my video The Effects of Obesity on the Immune System and Kidney and Liver Diseases. Currently, this nonalcoholic fatty hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplants in American women. K is for Kidneys. Obesity is also “one of the strongest risk factors for new-onset chronic kidney disease.” Our kidneys compensate for the metabolic demands of excess weight by red-lining into what’s called “hyperfiltration” to deal with the extra workload. This resulting increased pressure within our kidneys can damage the sensitive structures and increase the risk of kidney failure over the long term. What about L, M, N, O, P through Z? If you want to continue through the alphabet, L could be for diminished lung function, M could be for metabolic syndrome, and so on. There is even an X—for xiphodynia—pain at the tip of the bottom of the breastbone from being bent forward by an expanding abdomen. Given the myriad health conditions associated with excess weight, “annual medical spending attributable to an obese individual” is nearly $2,000 per year and workers who are obese with multiple conditions can cost companies up to $10,000 more in healthcare coverage compared to “their lean counterpart.” Wage Gap This may account for some of the wage gap that employees who are obese may experience, as companies try to pass along these costs of “their higher health insurance premiums,” beyond just brazen discrimination. Between healthcare costs and diminished productivity in terms of lost workdays, the total lifetime costs of obesity for children and teens have been estimated to exceed $150,000. Estimates Some estimates peg the annual “medical care costs of obesity in the United States” at about $150 billion, with another $50 billion per year added by 2030 as our increasingly heavy Baby Boomers continue to age. Others diametrically disagree, based on the morbid fact that individuals who are obese may not live as long. Just as “the high medical costs of smoking-related diseases are more than offset by lower survival of smokers,” the lifetime healthcare costs of individuals who are obese may turn out to be lower because they are expected to die so much sooner. So, the true cost may be more in lives, rather than dollars. How much does being overweight cut your life short? I’ll explore just that question next. If you missed the previous blog posts in my series on the ABCs of obesity, see related posts below. I continue the topic of obesity and weight with these videos: Is the Obesity Paradox Real or a Myth? and Friday Favorites: What’s the Ideal BMI and Waist Size?. For more on the health conditions discussed in this video, see the immune function, kidney disease, and liver health topic pages. Key Takeaways In the SOS trial, individuals who lost 20 percent of their body weight through surgery lived longer and had lower rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, possibly due to improved immune function. Obesity impairs natural killer cells, weakening the body’s defense against cancer and infections, while also increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Obesity is a major cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver inflammation, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, now the leading cause of liver transplants in U.S. women. Excess weight places metabolic stress on the kidneys, leading to hyperfiltration and increasing the risk of chronic kidney disease and eventual kidney failure. Obesity-related health conditions contribute to higher medical costs, lost productivity, and a lifetime financial burden, with annual obesity-related medical costs in the United States, for instance, estimated at $150 billion. To read the original article click here.

The post Obesity’s Impacts on Our Immune System & Kidney & Liver Diseases appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Study Shows How Liver Damage from Stress & Aging Might Be Reversible

The AHA! Team — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:48:45 +0000

Duke Health – DURHAM, N.C. – While the liver is one of the body’s most resilient organs, it is still vulnerable to the ravages of stress and aging, leading to disease, severe scarring and failure. A Duke Health research team now might have found a way to turn back time and restore the liver. In experiments using mice and liver tissue from humans, the researchers identified how the aging process prompts certain liver cells to die off. They were then able to reverse the process in the animals with an investigational drug. The finding, which appears in the journal Nature Aging, holds high promise for the millions of people who have some degree of liver damage – livers that are essentially old due to the metabolic stresses of high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes or other factors. “Our study demonstrates that aging is at least partially reversible,” said senior author Anna Mae Diehl, M.D., the Florence McAlister Distinguished Professor of Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine. “You are never too old to get better.” Diehl and colleagues set out to understand how non-alcoholic liver disease develops into a severe condition called cirrhosis, in which scarring can lead to organ failure. Aging is a key risk factor for cirrhosis among those who have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. One in three adults worldwide have the disease. Studying the livers of mice, the researchers identified a genetic signature distinct to old livers. Compared to young livers, the old organs had an abundance of genes that were activated to cause degeneration of hepatocytes, the main functioning cells of the liver. “We found that aging promotes a type of programmed cell death in hepatocytes called ferroptosis, which is dependent on iron,” Diehl said. “Metabolic stressors amplify this death program, increasing liver damage.” Armed with their genetic signature of old livers, the researchers analyzed human liver tissue and found that the livers of people diagnosed with obesity and MASLD carried the signature, and the worse their disease, the stronger the signal. Importantly, key genes in the livers of people with MASLD were highly activated to promote cell death through ferroptosis. This gave the researchers a definitive target. “There are things we can use to block that,” Diehl said. Again turning to mice, the researchers fed young and old mice diets that caused them to develop MASLD. They then gave half the animals a placebo drug and the other half a drug called Ferrostatin-1, which inhibits the cell death pathway. Upon analysis after treatment, the livers of the animals given Ferrostatin-1 looked biologically like young, healthy livers — even in the old animals that were kept on the disease-inducing diet. “This is hopeful for all of us,” Diehl said. “It’s like we had old mice eating hamburgers and fries, and we made their livers like those of young teenagers eating hamburgers and fries.” Diehl said the team also looked at how the ferroptosis process in the liver impacts the function of other organs, which are often damaged as MASLD progresses. The genetic signature was able to differentiate between diseased and healthy hearts, kidneys and pancreases, indicating that damaged livers amplify ferroptotic stress in other tissues. “Together, we’ve shown that aging exacerbates non-alcoholic liver disease by creating ferroptic stress, and by reducing this impact, we can reverse the damage,” Diehl said. In addition to Diehl, study authors include Kuo Du, Liuyang Wang, Ji Hye Jun, Rajesh K. Dutta, Raquel Maeso-Díaz, Seh Hoon Oh and Dennis C. Ko. The study received funding support from the 021 AASLD Pinnacle Award, the National Institutes of Health (R01 AA010154, R01 DK077794, R56 DK134334); and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. To read the original article click here.

The post Study Shows How Liver Damage from Stress & Aging Might Be Reversible appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Study Reveals Neurological Effects of Reused Frying Oils

The AHA! Team — Fri, 24 May 2024 08:05:23 +0000

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology via News-Medical – A new study found higher levels of neurodegeneration in rats that consumed reused deep fried cooking oils and their offspring compared to rats on a normal diet. Deep frying, which involves completely submerging food in hot oil, is a common method of food preparation around the world. Results from the study also suggest that the increased neurodegeneration is tied to the oil’s effects on the bidirectional communication network between the liver, gut and brain. The liver–gut–brain axis plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, and its dysregulation has been associated with neurological disorders. Kathiresan Shanmugam, an associate professor from Central University of Tamil Nadu in Thiruvarur, led the research team. Deep-frying at high temperatures has been linked with several metabolic disorders “Deep-frying at high temperatures has been linked with several metabolic disorders, but there have been no long-term investigations on the influence of deep-fried oil consumption and its detrimental effects on health,” said Shanmugam, formerly at Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. “To our knowledge we are first to report long-term deep-fried oil supplementation increases neurodegeneration in the first-generation offspring.” Sugasini Dhavamani, a research collaborator from the University of Illinois at Chicago, will present the research at Discover BMB, the annual meeting of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, which will be held March 23–26 in San Antonio. Deep frying food not only adds calories; reusing the same oil for frying, a common practice in both homes and restaurants, removes many of the oil’s natural antioxidants and health benefits. Oil that is reused also can contain harmful components such as acrylamide, trans fat, peroxides and polar compounds. To explore the long-term effects of reused deep-fried frying oil, the researchers divided female rats into five groups that each received either standard chow alone or standard chow with 0.1 ml per day of unheated sesame oil, unheated sunflower oil, reheated sesame oil or reheated sunflower oil for 30 days. The reheated oils simulated reused frying oil. Compared with the other groups, the rats that consumed reheated sesame or sunflower oil showed increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. These rats also showed significant damage in the colon that brought on changes in endotoxins and lipopolysaccharides -; toxins released from certain bacteria. “As a result, liver lipid metabolism was significantly altered, and the transport of the important brain omega-3 fatty acid DHA was decreased. This, in turn, resulted in neurodegeneration, which was seen in the brain histology of the rats consuming the reheated oil as well as their offspring.” Additional studies in which MSG was used to induce neurotoxicity in the offspring showed that the offspring that consumed the reheated oils were more likely to show neuronal damage than the control group receiving no oil or those that received unheated oil. Although more studies are needed, the researchers say that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and nutraceuticals such as curcumin and oryzanol might be helpful in reducing liver inflammation and neurodegeneration. They added that clinical studies in humans are needed to evaluate the adverse effects of eating fried foods, especially those made with oil that is used repeatedly. As a next step, the researchers would like to study the effects of deep-frying oil on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well as on anxiety, depression and neuroinflammation. They would also like to further explore the relationship between gut microbiota and the brain to identify potential new ways to prevent or treat neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology To read the original article click here.

The post Study Reveals Neurological Effects of Reused Frying Oils appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Scientists Uncover Cell Responsible for Repairing Liver Tissue

The AHA! Team — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:05:40 +0000

University College London via News-Medical – A type of cell responsible for repairing damaged liver tissue has been uncovered for the first time by a team of scientists, including Professor Rajiv Jalan (UCL Liver & Digestive Health). The study, published in Nature, showed how these new-found cells migrate to the site of damage, providing new insights into the way the liver heals itself. The authors say the findings could spur the development of new therapies that harness the liver’s unique capacity to regenerate. During acute liver failure, the organ’s ability to repair and regenerate is often overwhelmed, with patients requiring an emergency liver transplant to regain liver function. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh studied human liver tissue from patients with acute liver failure for signs of cell proliferation and regeneration following the rapid loss of liver function. They found that a significant proportion of cells retained the ability to multiply. There were, however, still substantial areas of damage in the patients’ livers, suggesting that processes other than cell proliferation are critical during regeneration. The research team profiled the genes within every liver cell in both healthy and regenerating human liver tissue to better understand the regeneration process, using a technique called single-cell RNA sequencing. The findings uncovered a previously undetected population of wound-healing liver cells that emerge during human liver regeneration to aid recovery. Working with University of Glasgow scientists at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, the team used special imaging techniques in mice to view the wound-healing cells in action. Researchers from the UCL Institute for Liver & Digestive Health and the Royal Free Hospital then provided important clinical validation of the novel mechanism of liver repair in humans. “We investigated whether the ‘liver repair’ mechanisms that the team from Edinburgh and Glasgow discovered in animal models also occurred in humans, and found that the mechanisms were present in patients with severe acute indeterminate hepatitis. This provides evidence that the observations made in the study are likely to be clinically relevant for the treatment of liver diseases in humans.” -Professor Rajiv Jalan, UCL Liver & Digestive Health During liver regeneration, so-called leader cells appear at the edge of the healthy tissue, dragging the tissue together to close the wound – similarly to how skin heals after a cut. Imaging also revealed that the population of healing liver cells appears before cell proliferation begins. Widespread infection is a major concern following acute liver failure. Bacteria from the gut can escape into the liver when the liver is damaged. This can lead to sepsis if the liver is unable to clear the infection. The liver may prioritise the healing of wounds before cell proliferation to restore the gut-liver barrier and prevent the spread of bacteria, experts say. Professor Neil Henderson, principal investigator of the study from the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Inflammation Research, said: “Cutting-edge technologies have allowed us to study human liver regeneration in high definition for the first time, facilitating the identification of a cell type that is critical for liver repair. “We hope that our findings will accelerate the discovery of much-needed new treatments for patients with liver disease.” The research team also included scientists from the Universities of Birmingham, Cambridge and Texas, and the United States Acute Liver Failure Study Group network. This work was funded by Wellcome. Journal reference: Matchett, K. P., et al. (2024). Multimodal decoding of human liver regeneration. Nature. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07376-2. To read the original article click here.

The post Scientists Uncover Cell Responsible for Repairing Liver Tissue appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Study Reveals SHOCKING Link Between Forever Chemicals and Liver Cancer

AHA Publisher — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 07:00:36 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – Your liver is a vital organ with hundreds of important functions. For instance, your liver works hard to cleanse your blood of poisons and toxins. Now, a recent study published in JHEP Reports shows a disturbing link between a synthetic “forever chemical” and deadly liver cancer. The report suggests that the higher the exposure to forever chemicals, the higher the chance of developing liver cancer. Man-Made Forever Chemicals Linked to Deadly Form of Liver Cancer Forever chemicals are synthetic chemicals commonly used in consumer and industrial products. There are many types of these chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Perfluooctane sulfate (PFOS) is just one type of PFAS. For the JHEP study, researchers analyzed human blood and tissue samples previously collected for an epidemiological study. Researchers looked at the samples of people who did or did not develop liver cancer. They evaluated samples taken before cancer diagnosis, comparing them to samples from those who didn’t develop cancer. Researchers found that study participants with high levels of PFOS in their blood were four and a half times as likely to develop liver cancer. The participants who developed cancer all had high levels of multiple types of PFAS in their blood. But the strongest link was between PFOS and liver cancer. Although other studies involving animals have suggested correlations between PFAS and cancer, this is the first human study to prove it. Here Is Why PFAS Are Bad News for Your Health Forever chemicals earned their nickname because they are extremely long-lasting. They take a long time to break down, accumulating in our environment and our bodily tissues over time. Unfortunately, the use of these dangerous chemicals is still widespread, although some manufacturers have stopped using them altogether amid growing health concerns. PFAS are present in drinking water, food, food packaging, and even cosmetics. This is bad news for your health. Besides being carcinogenic, PFAS are associated with liver damage, kidney disease, neurological damage, and autoimmune problems. And once these toxic chemicals get into your bloodstream, they’re there for the long haul. How Does PFOS Lead to Liver Cancer? Researchers speculate that forever chemicals impede natural liver function. For instance, PFOS may interfere with glucose metabolism, bile acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. When the liver can’t function normally because of metabolic disruption, fat buildup can occur within the liver. This results in a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Those with NAFLD have a much higher risk of liver cancer. Shockingly, there has been a global uptick in the number of people diagnosed with NAFLD – with scientists estimating that a whopping 30% of the global population will have NAFLD by the year 2030. How to Minimize Intake of PFAS What can you do to keep your liver healthy and reduce your PFAS exposure? It may be hard to avoid PFAS altogether. But you may be able to minimize exposure by minimizing packaged and processed foods. Choose organic, whole, or locally grown foods whenever possible. This will ensure you’re avoiding as many harmful chemicals as possible and help you feel your best. Sources for this article include: Medical Press Johns Hopkins Medicine To read the original article click here.

The post Study Reveals SHOCKING Link Between Forever Chemicals and Liver Cancer appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.