Gastroenterologist shares why he avoids these three foods for liver health: ‘The last one is a surprise for most people'
He listed the following foods.
Fructose-heavy foods – Fructose is commonly found in sugary drinks and processed snacks and is handled almost entirely by the liver. This can lead to the accumulation of fat over time, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease.
Industrial seed oils – Like soybean, corn and sunflower. These are high in Omega-6 fats. When consumed in excess, they can fuel inflammation and oxidative stress, which are both harmful to the liver.
Fruit juices – Even 100 per cent natural juices pack a high fructose load and no fibre, said Dr Sethi, adding that it causes blood sugar spikes which can drive fat storage in the liver.
Taking a cue from his revelation, we consulted a nutritionist to gain a deeper understanding.
Dt. Deepali Sharma, a clinical nutritionist at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, affirmed that excessive intake of fructose impacts liver health. 'While fructose is naturally present in fruits, vegetables, and honey, when consumed in moderation and its natural form, it can be part of a balanced diet and does not harm the body. However, when fructose is consumed in excessive amounts, especially in the form of fructose syrups like corn syrup, malt syrup, or through sugary drinks and carbonated beverages, it can negatively impact your liver,' said Sharma.
The liver converts fructose into fat, and excessive intake can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, a condition known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), now referred to as MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). 'Over time, this fat buildup can cause inflammation and eventually liver damage. Therefore, it's essential to limit the consumption of fructose, sucrose, simple carbohydrates, and malt-based sugar products. Overconsumption of such sugary products contributes to liver issues and overall metabolic problems,' Sharma explained.
Use of commercial seed oils, such as corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, and canola oil, can also 'adversely affect liver health, especially when they are reused, overheated, or used for deep frying repeatedly', said Sharma. 'This repeated heating causes the oil to break down and release harmful compounds. Sunflower and soybean oils are particularly problematic in this regard,' said Sharma.
These oils, when consumed in excess, can promote inflammation and contribute to various chronic health conditions, including liver disorders. 'To protect your liver, it's best to either limit the use of such oils or switch to healthier cooking alternatives. Avoid reheating oils and deep frying with them. Any excessive oil consumption can lead to inflammation, fat accumulation, and eventually fatty liver,' said Sharma.
Sharma also noted that long-term or high-dose consumption of fish oil has been linked to fatty liver disease, which is something to keep in mind, even though fish oil is often considered healthy in moderation.
Agreeing with Dr Sethi, Sharma said that even fresh or cold-pressed juices are essentially simple sugars and provide empty calories. 'They lack fibre, which is crucial for digestion, gut health, lipid profile regulation, and fat metabolism. Without fibre, fruit juice becomes just another sugary drink that can lead to fatty liver and inflammation over time. So, even if the juice is made fresh at home, it is not ideal for liver health. Avoid fruit juices and instead opt for whole fruits, which provide essential fibre along with natural sugars,' Sharma said.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
SMS first govt hosp to start Car-T cell therapy for cancer
Jaipur: SMS Hospital has established a department for treatment of blood-related cancers and other blood disorders. The department will offer advanced Car-T cell therapy to cancer patients. This innovative therapy has so far been administered to only a few patients in the state by private hospitals. SMS Hospital will be the first govt hospital to have established a separate department for clinical haematology (DCH). Car-T cell therapy is the country's first indigenous gene therapy, also known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy. It is a form of treatment based on genetic modifications and was developed in India at just a tenth of the cost compared to its price abroad. "We have all the resources available at our DCH for performing Car-T. It is an advanced therapy for treatment of cancer patients," said Dr Vishnu Sharma, head of the DCH department. He added that the department will provide treatment for all kinds of haematological cancers, and disorders from bleeding disorders to bone marrow transplant. The department has 20 beds for patients. "The department has been established at SMS Hospital, but it will be shifted to the state cancer institute later," Dr Sharma said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Legendary Cars from the Past Till now, only private hospitals in Rajasthan performed Car-T cell therapy. An 82-year-old woman from Jaipur holds the distinction of being the eldest recipient of Car-T cell therapy in the country. "The woman suffered from high-grade lymphoma, a cancer of lymph nodes. She was not responding to chemotherapy and other conventional treatments, due to which her lymphoma relapsed. We collected her T-cells and sent them to Mumbai to the company that manufactures Car-T cells. The patient also reached Mumbai, where she was infused with the Car-T cell almost a year ago," said Dr Hemant Malhotra, director of oncology services at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital also performed Car-T cell therapy in Dec last year.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
Doctor claims threading raises hepatitis risk: ‘Eyebrows banwane gayi thi lekin liver fail karwake aagayi'; internal medicine expert weighs in
In a video going viral on social media, MBBS Dr Aditij Dhamija can be seen saying that routine visits to neighbourhood parlours to get eyebrows shaped can expose one to 'liver failure risk' owing to hepatitis concern, as it happened in the case of a 28-year-old woman. 'Eyebrows banwane gayi thi lekin liver fail karwake aagayi. 28 saal ki mahila. (She went to get her eyebrows threaded, came back with liver failure). She came to the hospital with fatigue, nausea, and yellow eyes. Tests revealed her liver was giving up — not because of alcohol or medicines — but due to a beauty parlour visit gone wrong. This happened because reused threading material caused micro-cuts, through which Hepatitis B or C viruses entered her bloodstream,' said Dr Dhamija in an Instagram post. While it was unclear whether he treated the patient, his claim raises serious concerns about liver health. We reached out to an expert to understand the link between threading and liver health. Threading is a popular beauty treatment, most commonly for eyebrow shaping or facial hair removal. It is often considered quick, easy, and harmless. So, can it cause liver failure? Dr Amit Saraf, director, internal medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, said threading itself does not cause liver failure, but can establish a risk for hepatitis B and C infections if not done under hygienic conditions. 'Hepatitis B and C are blood-borne viruses that are transferred via infected blood. If you get a small cut or abrasion from the threading, this could act as an entry point for infected blood. The thread, hands, or implements that are used could all pass on the virus, since we do not know if the hands or the thread are contaminated,' said Dr Saraf. Over time, once you have an untreated hepatitis infection, it could progressively damage the liver severely, and in some instances, lead to cirrhosis or liver failure. 'In summary, threading in itself is not dangerous to the liver, but can be risky depending upon the practices that are hygienic,' said Dr Saraf. A post shared by Dr. Aditij Dhamija | Health Educator | MBBS (@drdhamija) What should you note? Always ensure threading takes place in a clean, professional setting. 'Employing a new, disposable thread, washing hands, and sterilising the area before and after the process are simple but fundamental measures. It's also wise to refrain from threading in case of any cuts or active skin infection within the area,' said Dr Saraf. Individuals who get regular threading treatments done must be careful of the possible risks and must go to trained therapists who maintain very proper hygienic standards. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Think you're too young for cholesterol test? What is the right age? Check hidden signs
What Makes Cholesterol Dangerous? Check Symptoms Role of Genetics and Lifestyle in Early Heart Disease Risks of Ignoring High Cholesterol How and When to Get Tested LDL: Less than 100 mg/dL HDL: 40 mg/dL or higher Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL Tips to Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Follow a high-fiber diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables Limit intake of saturated fats, red meat, and processed foods Engage in at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week Avoid smoking and manage alcohol consumption Prioritize stress management through mindfulness or therapy Ensure adequate sleep and get regular health checkups Cholesterol is often overlooked by young adults who believe heart health is only a concern later in life. But health experts now warn that waiting too long to get tested could carry serious risks. With lifestyle-related conditions on the rise, cardiologists are urging people to begin cholesterol checks much earlier than traditionally recommended. Early screening and preventive habits, they say, can play a key role in avoiding long-term damage to the heart and Naveen Bhamri, MD, DM (Cardiology), shared in a recent Instagram video that the ideal age to begin cholesterol screening is 20, not 40. His advice highlights the importance of early detection, especially for individuals with a family history of heart disease or other risk this recommendation, the American Heart Association also stresses that early screening significantly reduces the chances of developing cardiovascular disease over a lifetime. Routine monitoring helps identify elevated cholesterol levels before they cause long-term arterial a fatty substance produced by the liver, is crucial for building cells and producing certain hormones. However, its excess—especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol"—can be harmful. As reported by Healthline, LDL cholesterol can accumulate in artery walls, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good cholesterol," helps remove excess LDL from the of the biggest challenges with high cholesterol is that it typically shows no symptoms. In most cases, individuals only discover they have elevated cholesterol after experiencing serious cardiovascular events. Some potential late-stage signs include chest pain, fatigue, or fatty deposits near the eyes and joints. By the time these symptoms appear, significant internal damage may have already Bhamri points out that an increasing number of young adults are developing heart issues due to a mix of genetic predisposition and poor lifestyle choices. Conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) contribute to the risk. Additionally, smoking, alcohol use, chronic stress, sedentary jobs, poor diets, and obesity all play major roles in elevating cholesterol are also hereditary conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes extremely high cholesterol levels even in youth. According to Healthline, people with this disorder may have cholesterol levels exceeding 300 mg/dL and develop visible signs like yellowish skin patches or cholesterol can lead to severe outcomes such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Healthline notes that coronary artery disease occurs when plaque buildup narrows the arteries supplying the heart, often without warning signs. Eventually, the buildup may rupture and form clots that block blood flow, causing a heart strokes can result from reduced blood supply to the brain, while PAD restricts circulation in limbs, leading to cramping, ulcers, and in extreme cases, amputation. These complications often manifest only after extensive plaque high cholesterol is straightforward through a blood test known as a lipid panel. This test measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. Doctors typically recommend fasting for 12 hours before the test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists desirable cholesterol levels as:If results are normal, retesting every 4–6 years is usually sufficient. However, those with risk factors such as obesity, smoking, or a family history of heart disease may need more frequent minimize risk, cardiologists recommend adopting heart-friendly habits early in life:Cholesterol screening should begin at age 20, particularly for individuals with genetic or lifestyle risk factors. As emphasized by Dr. Bhamri and confirmed by leading health sources like Healthline and the American Heart Association, early detection and prevention are key to reducing cardiovascular risk. Ignoring high cholesterol due to a lack of symptoms can have irreversible consequences. A simple blood test today could protect your heart for decades to come.
