Latest news with #DipaKamdar
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bitter tasting vegetable linked to surprising health benefits: 'So much potential'
Vegetables and spices readily available at markets and grocers around Australia can have a significant impact on our bodies, but scientists have yet to fully explore their health potential. Dipa Kamdar is a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University in London, and she's becoming increasingly interested in the nutritional content of foods from Asia and Africa that are being regularly adopted in modern Western cooking. 'I think there's so much potential in foods and herbs and spices, but we've probably only explored the top layer,' she told Yahoo News Australia. One of the foods she's interested in is bitter melon, a long, green, bumpy fruit that's often paired with garlic and pork in Chinese cooking, or fried in traditional Indian curries. Kamdar became intrigued by its health potential when her father-in-law revealed he was mixing its extract into drinks to help his diabetes. 'Scientists have tried to see what the active compounds are in bitter melon, to see what is helping diabetes, and they think it could be mimicking insulin. But the data on it is limited,' she said. Anyone with health concerns should consult a doctor before eating bitter melon because it can negatively impact the health of pregnant women, people with hyperglycemia, or those with damage to their liver or kidneys. And it should only be eaten when it's green, well before it turns orange and splits open to reveal its seeds. While bitter melon vines are easy to grow, they can become an invasive pest. And some councils warn it can out-compete native vegetation. Are bad-tasting foods good for us? Kamdar's research into the health properties of foods has found that many with a bitter taste 'show promise' in terms of their mineral properties. 'A lot of the spices and vegetables that taste the worst for most people tend to be more therapeutic compared with the sweeter ones,' she said. Due to her own cultural background, Kamdar is increasingly interested in foods that feature in India's traditional medicine, a practice that goes back more than 3,000 years. 'What we do know is that it's generally quite safe to eat most foods in culinary amounts, but when you start taking specific supplements, that's when people need to be really careful, particularly if they're taking other medicines. 'For instance, someone on diabetes medication would need to be careful their blood glucose doesn't drop too low if they're eating bitter melon.' Ancient claim about rosemary may be true While it's possible to standardise doses of medications like paracetamol, it's much harder with natural foods. Growing conditions, varieties of the plants themselves, and how old they are can all play a role. 'There's so much variability, it's very hard to standardise foods across different batches,' Kamdar said. Fears grow about silent siblings with the rise of social media sperm donations Two siblings among latest child deaths as devastating outbreak grips Pacific Toxic chemicals in simple household items pose worrying 'threat' Limited research into foods appears to indicate that some ancient legends about plants are sometimes grounded in truth. For instance, rosemary is traditionally worn for 'remembrance', particularly at funerals, and there are some indications that its scent can help improve memory tasks. 'Ashwagandha seems very good for stress, anxiety, and potentially sleep. There have been limited trials that show it could be beneficial,' she said. 'A lot of these food ideas I get from my mother, and I try to test things on myself. My cholesterol is a little bit high, and recently I've been having fenugreek and carum seeds, and it seems to have come down. 'A lot of foods have an effect. For colds and flu, it's pretty well-known that turmeric, honey, lemon and ginger are good natural remedies.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Irish Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Urgent warning as Ireland's most common painkiller linked to killer illness
A stark alert has been sounded over a widely-used medication in Ireland that could be stealthily inflicting damage on your liver. The tablet, commonly taken for ailments ranging from headaches to muscle aches, is typically safe if the advised dose isn't surpassed. Kingston University's senior lecturer in pharmacy practice, Dipa Kamdar, cautioned that even slightly exceeding the recommended amount of this drug can pose "extremely dangerous" risks to liver health. While many might think alcohol consumption is the main culprit behind liver harm, Dipa highlighted several "often overlooked" daily practices that could lead to grave outcomes like cirrhosis – irreversible liver scarring – or outright liver failure. She pointed out that indulging in high-sugar or high-saturated fat foods, smoking, and insufficient exercise are all potential pathways to these perilous conditions, as is the overconsumption of paracetamol, reports the Mirror. "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa penned in The Conversation. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As the damage advances, more pronounced indicators can appear. One of the most noticeable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." The WHO indicate a 452% increase in liver deaths between 1971 and 2012 in Ireland. Live disease is also one of the most common illnesses in Ireland. The breakdown of paracetamol in the liver generates a toxic by-product named NAPQI, normally counteracted by glutathione, a protective agent. However, excessive dosages mean the body becomes swamped with toxins, potentially overwhelming the liver. Dipa issued a stark caution: "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," this potentially causing acute liver failure, which may lead to death. "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." There's been a raft of studies concerning the risks associated with paracetamol consumption, some of which ties even minimal doses to liver failure. Writing for The Conversation, University of Oxford's honorary senior research fellow Andrew Moore highlighted: "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk."
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning as world's most common painkiller linked to killer disease
The drug - which is the first line of defence against a number of common ailments - could be causing irreparable damage to your liver, according to a senior pharmacy practice lecturer at Kingston University An urgent warning has been issued about one of the world's most common drugs - which could secretly be harming your liver. The pill - which is used for anything from headaches to muscle pain - is generally safe as long as the recommended dosage isn't exceeded. Senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University, Dipa Kamdar, has warned that even taking a few pills over the recommendation could have "extremely dangerous" consequences for your liver. Most people would assume that drinking alcohol is the primary cause of liver damage, but Dipa warned there are a number of "often overlooked" everyday habits that can "eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure". She said that eating foods high in sugar or saturated fat, smoking, and exercising enough can all lead to the life-threatening conditions, as can taking too much paracetamol. "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa wrote in The Conversation. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Each year, liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK - which amounts to more than 31 deaths each day, according to The British Liver Trust. The charity warned that while deaths from other major diseases are falling, deaths from liver disease have quadrupled in the past five decades. When paracetamol is broken down by the liver, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI - which is usually neutralised by a protective substance called glutathione. However, when someone takes too much of the drug, the body is flooded with the toxins and the liver can become overwhelmed. Dipa explained: "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." Researchers have undertaken numerous studies into the dangers of taking paracetamol, with some linking low doses to liver failure. Honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, Andrew Moore, wrote in The Conversation : "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk."
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day
Taking more than the recommended dose can 'overwhelm' your liver - with dangerous consequences DRUG ALERT Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day A PHARMACIST has issued a warning about the world's most used painkiller paracetamol, warning it could be "quietly harming" your liver. The pill is safe to take for headaches, muscle pain and fever, as long as you're sticking to recommended amounts. Advertisement 2 Exceeding recommended doses of paracetamol could lead to liver damage Credit: Getty But "taking too much – even slightly exceeding the recommended dose – can be extremely dangerous for your liver", warned Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. It's easy to assume that alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. "In fact, many everyday habits, often overlooked, can slowly cause damage that may eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure," the pharmacist wrote in The Conversation. This can include eating foods high in saturated fat or sugar, as well as smoking or not exercising enough - as well as taking too much paracetamol. Advertisement "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa said. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK each year, according to The British Liver Trust. Advertisement That amounts to more than 31 deaths a day, the charity said. It warned that liver disease deaths in the UK have quadrupled in the last 50 years, at the same time as deaths from other major diseases have fallen. Scientists discover that even really low doses of paracetamol could damage your heart Dipa explained paracetamol could be dangerous to the liver due to the way the organ processes the painkiller. As it breaks down the drug, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. Advertisement Normally, the body neutralises this by producing a protective substance known as glutathione. But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed, potentially leading to potentially life-threatening damage. "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. "This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. Advertisement "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm," the pharmacist went on. "Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." 2 Studies have looked into the potential dangers of taking paracetamol. Advertisement Research published in 2013 showed a link between liver failure and low doses of paracetamol. As Andrew Moore, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, wrote in The Conversation: "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. "The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk." Other habits damaging your liver Dipa shared other habits that may be silently damaging your liver. Advertisement Drinking too much alcohol is the obvious one. When you drink, your liver works to break down the alcohol and clear it from your system, but having too much of it at once overwhelms this process and causes toxic by products to build up and damage liver cells. This can cause fat to accumulate in the liver and continued drinking can progress it to alcoholic hepatitis and then cirrhosis. Experts recommend sticking to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and including alcohol-free days to give your liver time to recover. Advertisement It's also worth taking a look at your diet to protect your liver, as foods high in saturated fat - like red meat, fried foods and processed snacks - can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to liver fat accumulation. Symptoms of liver disease Most types of liver disease do not cause any symptoms in the early stages. Once you start to get symptoms of liver disease, your liver is already damaged and scarred. This is known as cirrhosis. Symptoms of cirrhosis include: Feeling very tired and weak all the time Loss of appetite – which may lead to weight loss Loss of sex drive (libido) Yellow skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Itchy skin Feeling or being sick Source: NHS Sugary foods and drinks are also a major risk factor, the pharmacist said. Not exercising enough can contribute to weight gain, which ups the risk of liver disease. But exercising can benefit your liver even in you don't lose weight, Dipa noted. Advertisement Finally, the chemicals from cigarette smoke can make your liver work harder and contribute to cirrhosis. The British Liver Trust says 90 per cent of liver disease cases can be prevented by lifestyle changes. "You can protect [your liver] by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating a balanced diet, staying active and keeping hydrated," Dipa said.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Urgent paracetamol warning as world's most common painkiller is linked to disease that kills 30 Brits every day
A PHARMACIST has issued a warning about the world's most used painkiller paracetamol, warning it could be "quietly harming" your liver. The pill is safe to take for headaches, muscle pain and fever, as long as you're sticking to recommended amounts. But "taking too much – even slightly exceeding the recommended dose – can be extremely dangerous for your liver", warned Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University. It's easy to assume that alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. "In fact, many everyday habits, often overlooked, can slowly cause damage that may eventually lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis - permanent scarring of the liver - or liver failure," the pharmacist wrote in The Conversation. This can include eating foods high in saturated fat or sugar, as well as smoking or not exercising enough - as well as taking too much paracetamol. "Despite its remarkable resilience – and even its ability to regenerate – the liver is not indestructible," Dipa said. "One of the challenges with liver disease is that it can be a silent threat. In its early stages, it may cause only vague symptoms like constant fatigue or nausea. "As damage progresses, more obvious signs may emerge. One of the most recognisable is jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow." Liver disease kills more than 11,000 people in the UK each year, according to The British Liver Trust. That amounts to more than 31 deaths a day, the charity said. It warned that liver disease deaths in the UK have quadrupled in the last 50 years, at the same time as deaths from other major diseases have fallen. Scientists discover that even really low doses of paracetamol could damage your heart Dipa explained paracetamol could be dangerous to the liver due to the way the organ processes the painkiller. As it breaks down the drug, it produces a toxic by-product called NAPQI. Normally, the body neutralises this by producing a protective substance known as glutathione. But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed, potentially leading to potentially life-threatening damage. "In an overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells," Dipa warned. "This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal. "Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm," the pharmacist went on. "Always stick to the recommended dose and speak to a doctor if you find yourself needing pain relief regularly." 2 Studies have looked into the potential dangers of taking paracetamol. Research published in 2013 showed a link between liver failure and low doses of paracetamol. As Andrew Moore, an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, wrote in The Conversation: "Paracetamol is known to cause liver failure in overdose, but it also causes liver failure in people taking standard doses for pain relief. "The risk is only about one in a million, but it is a risk." Other habits damaging your liver Dipa shared other habits that may be silently damaging your liver. Drinking too much alcohol is the obvious one. When you drink, your liver works to break down the alcohol and clear it from your system, but having too much of it at once overwhelms this process and causes toxic by products to build up and damage liver cells. This can cause fat to accumulate in the liver and continued drinking can progress it to alcoholic hepatitis and then cirrhosis. Experts recommend sticking to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and including alcohol-free days to give your liver time to recover. It's also worth taking a look at your diet to protect your liver, as foods high in saturated fat - like red meat, fried foods and processed snacks - can raise cholesterol levels and contribute to liver fat accumulation. Sugary foods and drinks are also a major risk factor, the pharmacist said. Not exercising enough can contribute to weight gain, which ups the risk of liver disease. But exercising can benefit your liver even in you don't lose weight, Dipa noted. Finally, the chemicals from cigarette smoke can make your liver work harder and contribute to cirrhosis. The British Liver Trust says 90 per cent of liver disease cases can be prevented by lifestyle changes. "You can protect [your liver] by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating a balanced diet, staying active and keeping hydrated," Dipa said.
