Latest news with #MetabolicDysfunction-AssociatedSteatoticLiverDisease
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Why liver function tests are key for people with diabetes and obesity
Conceived as a princely minister of warmth and life, the liver is often overlooked in diabetes and obesity , whereas the organ is a prime regulator in metabolism. In recent times, a plethora of evidence has begun linking decreased liver performance with metabolic disorders. Thus stands the Liver Function Test ( LFT ) as an important investigative tool for all, ranging from diabetes to obesity or a combination of the two. The Link Between Liver, Diabetes, and Obesity The liver controls lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism. In type 2 diabetes patients, this equilibrium is lost because of insulin resistance, which generally leads to fat accumulation in the liver by a mechanism independent of alcohol, i.e., Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Likewise, obesity leads to excess fat deposition around organs, such as the liver, and sets them up for inflammation and fibrosis. Without treatment, these disorders progress to cirrhosis and ultimately, even liver cancer in certain situations. What Liver Function Tests Tell Us Proceeding with LFTs, the following enzymes and proteins are measured: ALT (SGPT)- a liver enzyme that helps detect liver damage or inflammation, especially in conditions like fatty liver , diabetes, and obesity. ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) - reports bile duct function Bilirubin - the liver's power to clear waste Albumin and Total Protein - the capacity of the liver to synthesise proteins Elevated liver enzymes in patients with diabetes or obese individuals often indicate silent liver damage before the appearance of signs and symptoms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sente dores nas articulações? Este simples hábito pode mudar sua vida! AlwaysFit Saiba Mais Undo Why Routine Monitoring Is Important Diabetes and obesity are chronic conditions . As a rule, and when patients with diabetes have a higher than normal BMI or altered lipid profile, LFTs must be checked, Black Book Reference American Diabetes Association. Similar recommendation in Indian guidelines. With obesity rates running at 12% in India and more than 100 million cases of diabetes recorded as per the ICMR-INDIAB study 2023, the burden of liver-related comorbidities is something one can only imagine. Liver abnormalities alter drug metabolism, thereby possibly affecting diabetic treatment. In a diseased liver, drugs like metformin or statins undergo altered metabolism, which predisposes one to side effects. Fibroscan and Ultrasound Liver Advanced liver fibrosis occurs more frequently in people with type 2 diabetes, often being caught late or never at all. FibroScan and ultrasound liver imaging are two such non-invasive methods for assessing liver stiffness with high accuracy, thus providing an early diagnosis. On the Defensive Good news is that the liver is mostly reversible in early stages. When combined with lifestyle changes (weight loss, low-carb diet, physical activity, and diabetes management), LFTs may be reversible in fatty liver conditions. Also, avoiding alcohol, good hydration, and paying attention to liver health every 6–12 months, provide good points of prevention against the long-term establishment of the disease. Liver health is closely linked with diabetes and obesity, and often acts as a silent alarm system. Hence, regular liver function tests should be considered more of a preventive than just a diagnostic tool. For anyone struggling with blood sugar and weight issues, keeping an eye on their liver will be the key to keeping the metabolic system healthy throughout a long life. Authored by: Dr. Sameer Bhati, Public health expert Study shows why obese people shouldn't consume too much alcohol One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
India Today
05-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Plant-based diets can help Indians fight fatty liver, diabetes epidemic
India is witnessing a concerning surge in two chronic health conditions: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), earlier known as fatty liver, and type 2 now affects nearly 27.4% of the population, while over 77 million Indians are living with have said the combination of both diseases is dangerous, as it raises the risk of serious complications like heart disease, kidney failure, liver cancer, and To tackle this growing health crisis, a panel of global and Indian health experts has released new clinical guidelines focused on how Asian Indian patients can manage both diabetes and fatty liver more guidelines, published in the journal Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, place a strong emphasis on dietary and lifestyle changes, especially moving towards a plant-based INDIANS SHOULD RETHINK SATURATED FATSThe guidelines advise cutting back on saturated fats like ghee, butter, and coconut oil, foods that are often wrongly believed to be healthy. Experts explained that consuming too much of these fats can lead to increased liver fat, chronic inflammation, and higher risk of metabolic diseases."Insulin resistance, being overweight, and obesity are the main reasons behind both diabetes and fatty liver,' said Dr. Zeeshan Ali, a nutrition expert with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).advertisementHOW PLANT-BASED DIETS CAN HELPResearch shows that a whole-food, plant-based diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and seeds, can significantly improve blood sugar levels and reduce liver fat. According to studies, people following such diets have seen a 30% drop in liver fat within just weeks, and many were even able to lower their diabetes one randomised study mentioned in the guidelines, 43% of people following a low-fat, plant-based diet were able to reduce their diabetes medications. In contrast, only 26% in the conventional diet group achieved the same result.'Plant-based diets target the root causes of diabetes, excess fat inside cells, insulin resistance, and inflammation," Dr. Ali said. "They not only support blood glucose control but also improve liver health and overall metabolic balance."WHAT THE GUIDELINES RECOMMENDEat more plant-based proteins like lentils, beans, nuts, and seedsFocus on complex carbohydrates like millets, oats, and brown riceAvoid saturated fats like ghee, butter, coconut oilSay no to alcohol, which worsens liver healthGet regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivityMaintain a healthy body weightFor millions of Indians living with diabetes and liver disease, switching to a more plant-based, low-fat diet may offer a simple and powerful way to improve their health, without depending entirely on new guidelines provide both doctors and patients with a clear, evidence-based roadmap to manage these diseases better, starting with what's on their plate.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Jersey student leads project to recreate fatty liver disease
A Jersey student aims to better understand fatty liver disease by re-creating it in a dish. Millie-Rose Doolan, who grew up in St Brelade, has plans to use patient-donated liver samples to develop 3D tissue cultures that are derived from stem, progenitor or induced pluripotent cells. Fatty liver disease, also known as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), is a chronic liver condition that is initiated by having too much fat in the liver. Ms Doolan, who is studying for her PhD at the University of Southampton, said: "By creating 3D organoids using patient tissue we can delve deeper into how the disease progresses and identify potential targets for treatment." Global health problem MASLD is significantly associated with central obesity, as well as conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease. It is estimated to affect up to one in five people in the UK, but rates are increasing with rising levels of metabolic diseases such as Doolan said: "Fatty liver disease is a global health problem – latest figures suggest that up to 30% of the global adult population will be affected."The underlying biology of MASLD progression is unclear, and not all patients progress at the same rate or develop severe disease." Currently, MASLD research is limited by a lack of experimental systems that replicate what happens in different humans. Some laboratory tests can recapitulate aspects of MASLD progression but there are significant differences to what happens in the human body or a given individual.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Active ingredient in weight loss drug Wegovy may help treat type of fatty liver disease: Study
The active ingredient in the popular weight loss drug Wegovy may help treat a type of fatty liver disease, according to new research. The disease, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), occurs where fat builds up in the liver, leading to inflammation, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. MASH can lead to scarring and even permanent liver damage. It can also lead to liver failure or cancer -- increasing the risk of transplant or chemotherapy -- and significantly raise the risk of liver-related death. MORE: Active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy may reduce risk of Alzheimer's disease: Study The condition is believed to affect an estimated 1.5% to 6.5% of U.S. adults, according to the NIDDK. In the study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine and conducted by researchers in the U.S., U.K., Denmark, France. Italy and Germany, patients received doses of semaglutide, the active ingredient used to treat diabetes in Ozempic and obesity in Wegovy. The patients started on low doses and increased gradually, reaching the full Wegovy dose over 72 weeks. Researchers found that about two-thirds of patients had less liver inflammation, and about one-third had improvement in liver scarring, a more advanced stage of damage. Additionally, one-third of patients improved in both inflammation and scarring. These benefits appeared in people with and without diabetes. Patients also lost an average of 8.5% of their body weight during the 72-week study. "We knew from studies of lifestyle interventions that as little as five to 10% weight loss was associated with substantial improvements in liver fat and MASH," Dr. Robert Brown Jr., chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and who was not involved in the study, told ABC News. In addition to direct health issues, MASH is linked to metabolic syndrome -- a group of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. MASH falls within a larger category of liver disease called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a fatty liver disease which affects about 24% of U.S. adults, according to the NIDDK. MORE: Excessive drinking during the pandemic increased rates of liver disease, transplants "It's a problem because obesity and Type 2 diabetes have been increasing in this country year over year for decades," Brown said. "And so right now, it's estimated that one-third of the population ... has obesity or Type 2 diabetes. So that's over 100 million people." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication resmetirom for treatment of MASH in 2024, but the response observed in both inflammation and scarring was more modest in comparison to what was seen with Wegovy, according to FDA data. Brown said people can lower their risk for fatty liver disease by eating healthy meals, staying active and losing weight. Drinking filtered coffee, without too much sugar or cream, may also help protect the liver, he said. Wegovy addresses the root cause of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease by helping regulate blood sugar, reduce body fat and improve insulin sensitivity, the study authors suggested. These changes can ease the strain on the liver and reduce the buildup of fat that leads to inflammation and scarring. "MASH and MASLD are going to be an increasing health burden, and we are going to need drugs that target the liver fibrosis as well as the underlying metabolic parameters," said Brown. "I'll be excited when we have multiple different drugs that work in different ways, so that we can treat all of the patients who had this problem in the future." Dr. Allen Chang is the chief resident of the geriatric medicine subspecialty residency program at Dalhousie University and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Active ingredient in weight loss drug Wegovy may help treat type of fatty liver disease: Study originally appeared on
30-04-2025
- Health
Active ingredient in weight loss drug Wegovy may help treat type of fatty liver disease: Study
The active ingredient in the popular weight loss drug Wegovy may help treat a type of fatty liver disease, according to new research. The disease, known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), occurs where fat builds up in the liver, leading to inflammation, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. MASH can lead to scarring and even permanent liver damage. It can also lead to liver failure or cancer -- increasing the risk of transplant or chemotherapy -- and significantly raise the risk of liver-related death. The condition is believed to affect an estimated 1.5% to 6.5% of U.S. adults, according to the NIDDK. In the study, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine and conducted by researchers in the U.S., U.K., Denmark, France. Italy and Germany, patients received doses of semaglutide, the active ingredient used to treat diabetes in Ozempic and obesity in Wegovy. The patients started on low doses and increased gradually, reaching the full Wegovy dose over 72 weeks. Researchers found that about two-thirds of patients had less liver inflammation, and about one-third had improvement in liver scarring, a more advanced stage of damage. Additionally, one-third of patients improved in both inflammation and scarring. These benefits appeared in people with and without diabetes. Patients also lost an average of 8.5% of their body weight during the 72-week study. "We knew from studies of lifestyle interventions that as little as five to 10% weight loss was associated with substantial improvements in liver fat and MASH," Dr. Robert Brown Jr., chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and who was not involved in the study, told ABC News. In addition to direct health issues, MASH is linked to metabolic syndrome -- a group of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Metabolic syndrome raises the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. MASH falls within a larger category of liver disease called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a fatty liver disease which affects about 24% of U.S. adults, according to the NIDDK. "It's a problem because obesity and Type 2 diabetes have been increasing in this country year over year for decades," Brown said. "And so right now, it's estimated that one-third of the population ... has obesity or Type 2 diabetes. So that's over 100 million people." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the medication resmetirom for treatment of MASH in 2024, but the response observed in both inflammation and scarring was more modest in comparison to what was seen with Wegovy, according to FDA data. Brown said people can lower their risk for fatty liver disease by eating healthy meals, staying active and losing weight. Drinking filtered coffee, without too much sugar or cream, may also help protect the liver, he said. Wegovy addresses the root cause of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease by helping regulate blood sugar, reduce body fat and improve insulin sensitivity, the study authors suggested. These changes can ease the strain on the liver and reduce the buildup of fat that leads to inflammation and scarring. "MASH and MASLD are going to be an increasing health burden, and we are going to need drugs that target the liver fibrosis as well as the underlying metabolic parameters," said Brown. "I'll be excited when we have multiple different drugs that work in different ways, so that we can treat all of the patients who had this problem in the future."
