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Impact of excessive sugar consumption on liver health

Impact of excessive sugar consumption on liver health

The liver excretes bile and regulates several hormone levels in the body. It stores fat-soluble vitamins and handles cholesterol homeostasis in the body. The food and beverages one consumes have a major impact on determining the liver’s functioning. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar, especially fructose, can lead to fat buildup, making one more susceptible to liver disease. Although this is a benign condition, it may progress to steatohepatitis or liver failure (cirrhosis).

How does sugar consumption impact liver function?
There are three simple sugars in the body: glucose, galactose, and fructose. Some of this is utilized immediately as energy, while the rest is stored for future use. The liver is responsible for metabolizing fructose. Naturally occurring fructose comes from fruits, vegetables, and honey. High-fructose corn syrup is also a common additive in processed foods like candy, bread, and condiments. Since the liver’s ability to metabolize fructose is limited, any excess fructose converts to fat. This process is known as lipogenesis.

Fat is stored in various parts of the body, including the liver. Over time, excessive fat buildup in the body can lead to the replacement of healthy liver cells by fat cells, giving rise to fatty liver disease. Sugar also causes inflammation. Consuming high levels of sugar can cause damage to major organs, including the liver, which can affect its ability to function properly.

To maintain a healthy liver, the American Heart Association recommends limiting daily added sugar intake to 150 calories (or nine teaspoons) for men and 100 calories (or six teaspoons) for women. It is also recommended to watch fructose intake and limit it to between 25 and 40 grams per day. This number may vary depending on age, gender, height, and lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?
In its nascent stages, fatty liver disease may not have any signs or symptoms. However, as time progresses, one may experience the following:

  • Abdominal pain: Fatty liver disease can cause liver enlargement. Due to this, one may experience pain in the upper right side of the abdomen.
  • High blood pressure: High blood pressure, also known as portal hypertension, occurs when fat buildup in the liver slows down blood flow and increases the pressure on the vein that brings blood to the liver.
  • Spleen enlargement: With portal hypertension, the spleen traps white blood cells and platelets. This can cause swelling of the spleen, which is also known as splenomegaly. It can make one more susceptible to infections.
  • Bleeding: The increased pressure on the main vein can lead to the redirection of blood to other smaller veins. This increased load can cause these veins to burst and lead to life-threatening bleeding.
  • Nausea: Over time, with fatty liver disease, the organ’s ability to remove toxins decreases. This causes an increase in digestive issues such as constipation and bowel disorders and can give rise to nausea as the body tries to find alternatives to discharge toxins.
  • Loss of appetite: The increasing size of the liver can also limit one’s appetite. This symptom appears in the later stages of the disease and is a sign of cirrhosis.
  • Jaundice: Jaundice, another symptom of cirrhosis, occurs when the liver cannot process bilirubin. This leads to a large amount of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which makes the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow.
  • Edema: As fat collection in the liver progresses, it slows down the blood flow through the liver, increasing the pressure on the vein that supplies blood to this organ. This can lead to fluid accumulation in the leg, causing edema. It can also lead to ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the stomach.
  • Fatigue: One may also experience fatigue when living with fatty liver disease. It may differ from person to person and can be intermittent or constant, mild or severe.
  • Mental confusion: Impeded liver function impacts the removal of toxins like ammonia. When left in the bloodstream, these can reach the brain and lead to a state of confusion. This is known as encephalopathy. It can also lead to changes in sleeping patterns, concentration, and memory.

Some other symptoms of advanced liver disease include itchy skin, the appearance of spider-like blood vessels on the skin, redness in the palms of the hands, pale fingernails (especially the thumb and index finger), clubbing of the fingers, unexplained absence or loss of periods in women, and reduced sex drive, testicular shrinkage, or breast enlargement (gynecomastia) in men.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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7 signs of kidney disease due to excessive sugar

Excessive sugar levels can lead to several health complications. One of these significant disorders is diabetic nephropathy, which is a kidney disease. It is a debilitating condition that slowly affects the kidney's function over time. According to the CDC, it is estimated that nearly 1 in 3 people with diabetes develop poor signs of kidney disease due to excessive sugar. Here are a few things one needs to know about the various diabetic nephropathy symptoms. Signs of kidney disease due to excessive sugar Diabetic nephropathy advances in stages according to a person's estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which evaluates the kidney's efficiency in filtering substances in the body. The normal eGFR value is approximately 100, and it decreases as kidney function declines. During the early phase of diabetic nephropathy, the eGFR level typically falls between 60 and 90. There are no observable symptoms at this point, and the kidney continues to function adequately, even if it is slightly damaged. However, if the eGFR level drops below 60, it may indicate poor kidney health due to high blood sugar levels. Changes in the frequency and amount of urination Normally, the kidneys filter blood and produce urine. However, high blood sugar levels can cause a loss of kidney function over time. This can result in changes in urination frequency and amount, including the need to urinate more often. Additionally, there may be blood in the urine, or the urine may appear foamy or bubbly, which may indicate the presence of protein due to kidney damage. Experiencing consistent fatigue Healthy kidneys filter the blood to help the body eliminate toxins and other substances that affect overall health. With excessive sugar affecting kidney function, there is a consistent buildup of toxins in the bloodstream. This can prevent the flow of essential nutrients, oxygen, and water to the various organs, resulting in decreased energy levels and persistent fatigue. Persistent itching This symptom occurs due to two reasons. One reason is the high levels of phosphorus in the body caused by the body's inability to excrete the excess phosphorus due to kidney damage. The extra phosphorus in the blood combines with calcium leading to persistent itching. Another reason is the high levels of cytokines circulating in the body.  Cytokines are substances that cause inflammation and are processed by the kidney. If the kidney is not functioning properly due to conditions like diabetic nephropathy, excess cytokines can trigger the immune system, resulting in persistent itching sensations. Swelling in the hands, legs, or feet With the kidneys unable to function optimally due to excess sugar levels in the blood, extra fluid and sodium accumulate in the cells of the body. Under normal healthy circumstances, these extra fluids and sodium would have been expelled from the body through the kidney. However, since the kidney malfunctions, these are retained within the body. This causes edema or swelling of the extremities, such as the hands, feet, and legs. Shortness of breath The extra fluid not only accumulates in the cells of the body but also builds up in the lungs. Furthermore, the damage to the kidney may cause anemia, which leads to low production of red blood cells. Since these cells carry oxygen to the different organs, the low production causes low oxygen levels. Thus, the excess fluids in the lungs and anemia contribute to the frequent feeling of breathlessness. Loss of appetite The impaired kidney function causes toxin buildup in the body. This can lead to the accumulation of certain compounds in the bloodstream during the early and middle stages of diabetic nephropathy. These compounds can affect a person's appetite, causing it to be suppressed. Additionally, a person's sense of taste may weaken, making most foods taste slightly metallic. These factors can make it difficult for a person to eat full and complete meals. Puffiness around the eyes If one's kidneys do not function well, they may not be able to hold on to vital proteins, which will then be lost through urine. This can cause a decrease in protein levels in one's body and lead to swelling around the eyes. This swelling is a recognizable sign of kidney disease, which can be caused by consuming too much sugar. If one has diabetes, the most effective way to lower the chances of developing diabetic nephropathy is to properly control blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Making lifestyle changes like eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly, monitoring blood glucose levels consistently, and following the doctor's recommended treatment plan will assist an individual in managing this condition effectively.

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