Latest news with #fattyliverdisease
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 3 foods I always avoid as a doctor to protect my liver – and everyone should be doing the same
A DOCTOR has revealed the three foods he avoids to protect his liver - and says the list often leaves people shocked. The liver is often an underestimated organ, playing a critical role in various bodily functions that are essential for overall health and well-being. 3 3 It filters the blood, breaking down toxins and harmful substances, produces bile, which aids in digestion and waste removal, and plays a crucial role in storing and metabolising nutrients, and in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Doing what you can to protect your liver is important, particularly as damage is often irreversible. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, his famed for sharing his health advice on TikTok (@doctorsethimd). He recently revealed the most dangerous time to go to sleep, explaining that snoozing after midnight could damage the brain. Now, the 42-year-old has shared the top three foods he avoids to protect his liver – and says that everyone should be doing the same. In a clip, which has racked up 53,000 views and over a thousand likes, he begins by listing fructose-heavy snacks. 'Fructose is commonly found in sugary drinks and processed snacks,' the doctor, from California, US, says. 'And it is handled almost entirely by the liver. 'This can lead to fat buildup over time, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease.' A study published in 2020 suggesting high fructose intake may trigger fatty liver disease by damaging the intestinal barrier. 'Healthy' woman, 35, died just three days after doctors 'dismissed' three red-flag symptoms of killer disease The next food item is industrial seed oils, such as soybean, corn and sunflower. Dr Sethi explains: 'These are high in omega-6 fats. 'When consumed in excess, they can fuel inflammation and oxidative stress. 'Both are harmful to the liver.' Some animal studies suggest that certain seed oils, particularly when heated, may negatively impact liver health by disrupting lipid metabolism and increasing fat accumulation. These studies also link seed oils to oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction. 3 His final, and most surprising, item to avoid is fruit juice. Dr Sethi claims that even natural, 100 per cent juices have a high fructose level and no fibre. He adds: 'This combination causes quick blood sugar spikes, which can drive fat storage in the liver.' Several studies link excessive fruit juice consumption to potential liver damage, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The primary concern is the high fructose content in fruit juice, which can overwhelm the gut and lead to excess fructose being processed by the liver, potentially causing fatty liver. How to keep your liver healthy Healthy diet Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including five servings daily. Include whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats like those in olive oil and fatty fish. Limit sugary drinks, processed foods, and excessive fat and sugar. Regular exercise Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Physical activity helps manage weight and improve liver health. Moderate alcohol consumption Limit alcohol intake to recommended guidelines, which typically include no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for men and women. Consider having several alcohol-free days per week. Medication safety Be aware of potential interactions between medications and alcohol, and always consult with your doctor about medication use. Weight management Maintain a healthy weight, as excess weight can increase the risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Viral hepatitis prevention Practice safe sex, get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, and avoid sharing needles or other personal items that could spread the virus. Hydration Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as hydration supports overall health and liver function.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
GSK agrees $2bn deal to buy potential liver disease treatment
GSK has struck an agreement worth up to $2billion to buy a medicine that could treat fatty liver disease. The drugs giant plans to pay $1.2billion upfront to acquire Efirmosfermin from Boston Pharmaceuticals, followed by potential success-based milestone payments of $800million. It said the takeover was 'highly aligned' with its research and development focus on 'science related to the immune system'. Efirmosfermin is being developed as a treatment for steatotic liver disease (SLD), a condition whereby excessive fat accumulates in a person's liver. Common risk factors of SLD include being overweight or obese, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and drinking too much alcohol. Around 30 per cent of adults worldwide are affected by the condition, according to a US National Institutes of Health study. The leading causes of liver transplants in the US are both different types of SLD: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). GSK noted results from a recent Phase II trial showed that Efirmosfermin 'rapidly and significantly' reversed liver fibrosis and halted its progression in patients with MASH. Tony Wood, chief scientific officer at GSK, said: 'Efirmosfermin has the potential to define a new standard-of-care with its monthly dosing and tolerability profile. 'Efimosfermin will significantly expand our hepatology pipeline and provide us the opportunity to develop a new potential best-in-class medicine with first launch expected in 2029.' A study published in the Journal of Hepatology in January estimated that reducing moderate-to-advanced fibrosis to stop cirrhosis and liver cancer progressing could save the US healthcare system between $40billion and $100billion over the coming two decades. Elias Zerhouni MD, chair of Boston Pharmaceuticals' board of directors, said: 'We are delighted that GSK, a global leader, recognised Efimosfermin's potential to address a growing global public health concern and unmet medical need. 'Together, we look forward to Efimosfermin's ongoing journey to become a best-in-class treatment for patients with SLD.' GSK's announcement comes after the firm claimed it was 'well positioned' to deal with US tariffs. The FTSE 100 business derives around half of its turnover from the US, so import taxes on drugs entering the country could severely impact its bottom line. GSK shares were 0.5 per cent higher at 1,364.5p on Wednesday morning, but have still shrunk by around 24 per cent in the past year.
Medical News Today
13-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Liver disease: Diabetes and weight loss drug may be effective
Semaglutide may be effective in treating a form of fatty liver disease, new research shows. Steve Christo – Corbis/Getty Images Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist medication that can assist with diabetes management and weight loss. Experts are interested in understanding additional potential health benefits of semaglutide. One study found that semaglutide helps to improve liver health in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, a serious form of fatty liver disease. The use of semaglutide , a medication from the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, has become increasingly popular. The brands Rybelsus and Ozempic are currently FDA-approved for diabetes management, and Wegovy is used to assist with weight loss. Experts are also interested in other uses of semaglutide. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine furthered research on semaglutide, exploring how the drug affected outcomes for people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, a type of liver disease. The results suggest that semaglutide may help resolve steatohepatitis and decrease fibrosis. This research was a phase 3 clinical trial involving people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). As described in this study, MASH is a severe type of what used to be called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The study also notes that MASH involves damage to liver cells, inflammation, and steatosis or fat buildup in the liver. Steatohepatitis, which involves fat buildup and inflammation in the liver, can then contribute to tissue scarring or fibrosis. This study involved participants from hundreds of clinical sites in thirty-seven countries. The current published results report the end of the first part of the trial. Among the participants, 534 received semaglutide, and 266 received a placebo. The research reported in this study lasted 72 weeks. Participants received 2.4mg injections of semaglutide each week, and they followed a 16-week dose escalation schedule. All participants were at least 18 years old and had steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Researchers excluded participants who had other chronic liver problems besides nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Other exclusion criteria included components like alcohol consumption over a certain amount and use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the three months leading up to screening. All participants also received standard care for MASH. Participants got two liver biopsies to help evaluate the effects of semaglutide. About 56% of participants had type 2 diabetes, and about 73% had obesity. The researchers evaluated participants for two main outcomes: resolution of steatohepatitis, where liver fibrosis didn't get worse, and improved fibrosis, where steatohepatitis did not get any worse. Researchers also evaluated participants for weight changes, pain, adverse events, and labs. Semaglutide appeared to benefit participants more than the placebo. Almost 63% of participants who received semaglutide had steatohepatitis resolution without their fibrosis getting worse. Only 34.3% of participants in the placebo group experienced this outcome. Additionally, 36.8% of participants who received semaglutide experienced decreases in liver fibrosis without their steatohepatitis getting worse, compared to 22.4% in the placebo group. Results were similar in sensitivity analyses that considered components like age, diabetes, and how bad fibrosis was. Additionally, some participants experienced steatohepatitis resolution and decreased fibrosis. About 33% of the semaglutide group experienced this compared to about 16% in the placebo group. The semaglutide group also experienced an average 10.5% decrease in body weight compared to only an average 2% decrease in the placebo group. While it did not reach statistical significance, participants taking semaglutide also appeared to experience pain decreases more than the placebo group. Participants in the semaglutide group had better outcomes from non-invasive testing as well. For example, more participants taking semaglutide experienced decreased enhanced liver fibrosis scores and decreased liver stiffness than participants on the placebo. Other outcomes were better in the semaglutide group, too, such as greater decreases in systemic inflammation and cholesterol, as well as better insulin sensitivity. Around 86% of participants in the semaglutide group reported an adverse event, compared to about 80% in the placebo group. The semaglutide group also experienced more gastrointestinal events, like nausea and constipation, than the placebo group. However, researchers found that 'no new or liver-related safety signals emerged.' Overall, the results of this study indicate that semaglutide may help improve liver outcomes for people with MASH. However, it does have limitations. First, the research only included a small number of Black participants, as well as a low number of lean participants. There may be a need for more diversity in future research, and it's unclear how the use of semaglutide benefits lean individuals with MASH. Researchers did not have data on biomarkers for alcohol consumption. They also acknowledge that genetic variations are part of what determines how someone responds to treatment. This particular trial is ongoing and will have additional follow-up that will focus on cirrhosis-free survival. Thus, researchers did not share some information about clinical outcomes in this paper for reasons of study integrity. This part of the study included 800 randomized participants, and this did not have to do with how well participants were following taking semaglutide or the placebo or certain medication changes. Additionally, there was some missing data. Researchers acknowledge that semaglutide helped to address problems of metabolic dysfunction that drive liver problems and holistically helped address 'liver disease and associated cardiometabolic illness.' It's possible that the findings of this research are the result of weight loss. Mir Ali, MD, board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon, and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, who was not involved in the study, noted the following to Medical News Today: 'This study showed a reduction of MASH with semaglutide use; however, because the greatest contributor to MASH is obesity, I believe this is more a function of weight loss than a direct effect of the medication. We see significant improvement in MASH in our surgical weight loss patients, and it seems to be directly related to the amount of weight lost. The clinical implications are that this shows another benefit to weight loss associated with use of semaglutide.' This research holds promise for helping people with MASH and suggests another potential benefit of semaglutide. Ian Storch, DO, an osteopathic physician specializing in gastroenterology and internal medicine and an American Osteopathic Association member, who was also not involved in the study, explained to MNT: 'MASH (Metabolic Associated Hepatitis) is such an important disease, which didn't get much attention in the past for two reasons, one being our deficiency in cost-effective noninvasive imaging modalities to assess fibrosis and the second being our lack of treatment modalities. The study in the NEJM showing possible benefits of semaglutide in MASH patients with advanced inflammation and fibrosis is another exciting advance in our efforts to conquer this indolent, but deadly disease.' Diabetes Type 2 Liver Disease / Hepatitis Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I shed 3st on fat jabs but when my body began ‘shutting down' I had to make a drastic change
A YOUNG mum has shared a raw account of the hidden dangers of weight loss jabs after her body began shutting down. Miranda Edmonds, 30, was so depressed about her weight she would cry in dressing rooms, hide behind baggy clothes and avoid going out. 5 5 But it was when she realised that the extra pounds were slowly killing her that she decided life had to change. 'I was pre- diabetic and inflamed, constantly tired, and my doctor warned me I was heading for fatty liver disease,' Miranda says. 'As a mum that terrified me. I needed to make a change, not just for me but for my family.' At 15st (95kg), Miranda began reading up on GLP-1 medications, a class of weight-loss jabs which suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels. She eventually decided to give it a go. 'I was nervous at first,' she admits. 'It was a big investment, and I wasn't sure it would work. But I was desperate. I'd tried everything - calorie counting, gym memberships, obsessive dieting - and nothing ever stuck.' Miranda initially thought she was doing everything right. Her meals were small, she felt full, and the weight was dropping off. But there was an unexpected side to the appetite suppressants. 'I started feeling weak,' she says. 'I was tired, cranky, nauseous. I'd go to bed by 7pm because I was absolutely drained.' I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects Along with total exhaustion and irritability, the mum-of-two, from Knoxville, Tennessee, noticed that her hair was thinning. But it wasn't until she posted a 'What I Eat in a Day' video on TikTok and did the calorie math that the truth hit her hard. 'I realised I was eating about 900 calories a day, that's less than what I feed my toddlers!' she laughs now - although at the time it wasn't funny. 'I felt full, but my body was starving. I'm a whole grown woman, working out and chasing kids. I can't survive on 900 calories. 'When I first started my GLP-1, no one talked about the risk of undereating. "So now I share everything - the wins, the mistakes, the good days and the hard ones. Because someone out there needs to hear it.' When I first started my GLP-1, no one talked about the risk of undereating Miranda Edmonds Miranda reintroduced structured snacks and protein-packed meals to help get her back on track. ' Protein is everything,' she says. 'I have a shake in the morning, beef sticks, protein bars, even when I'm not hungry. I set alarms to eat. Not because I'm obsessed - but because my body needs fuel.' Despite her success, calorie tracking is off the table. 'I used to obsessively count every calorie. If I didn't know the macros on a restaurant meal, I'd panic,' she says. 'It wrecked my mental health. I lost 10lbs (4.5kg) and gained it back every time. I just couldn't live like that again.' Not just a physical transformation... Miranda is now seven months in and says her husband Caleb and their two sons, aged 7 and 5, have been her biggest motivation. Her transformation has not just been physical. 'Mentally, I'm the healthiest I've ever been,' she says. 'I've fallen in love with working out, I'm building muscle and, for the first time in my life, I actually love my body.' She is honest about the loose skin and stretch marks, but also proud of everything she has achieved. 'This body grew two children,' she says. I get messages saying using a GLP-1 is cheating. That I didn't earn it. That I took the easy way out. But there's nothing easy about this Miranda Edmonds 'It's strong. It's powerful. And now it's finally nourished.' Miranda has built a supportive online community who share their triumphs and struggles together. But not everyone is positive. 'I get messages saying using a GLP-1 is cheating,' she says. 'That I didn't earn it. That I took the easy way out. 'But there's nothing easy about this. "It's still hard work. This medication is just one tool - not a magic wand.' Miranda now weighs 11st 7lb (74kg), a drop of 46lbs (20.8kg) from her starting weight of 15st (95kg). 5 She has dropped from a US size 18 to an 8 (UK size 22 to 12). And while she has a weight in mind, other things have become more important. 'My real goal is freedom,' she says. 'To be able to eat in moderation without guilt. To go out with my kids and not think about whether I'll fit in the seat or hate the photos. I want to live my life without my weight being a shadow over everything. 'My children are my biggest motivation. Being a healthy, present mum matters more to me than anything.' She also has a message for the woman who used to dread shopping trips and cry in changing rooms. 'I'd tell her this isn't her fault,' Miranda says. 'She wasn't lazy or weak. She just needed help. And there's nothing wrong with that.' What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
