World Liver Day was celebrated across the globe on April 19 in a bid to raise awareness about liver-related disorders and diseases as the highly complex organ of the body is responsible for immunity, digestion, as well as metabolism, making it important to keep the liver healthy.
According to the World Health Organisation, liver ailments amount to the 10th most common reason for death in India.
As per experts, the liver is the second most vital organ in the body. It helps in over five hundred functions that are related to metabolism, immunity, excretion and storage of absorbed nutrients. If the liver is in trouble, it influences the digestive system as well as the functioning of the kidney, lungs, heart and brain, the experts underline.
Liver disorders often occur because of bad lifestyle choices, and unhealthy food over a long period, inactive lifestyle and lack of exercise.
One disorder of interest related to fast food consumption is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Trusted Source or nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis. This is a broad category of liver conditions that have to do with fat accumulation in the liver and the liver damage this buildup can lead to.
In this context, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) expressed “pressing concern” over the surge in fatty liver disease. According to the doctors’ body, it has reached epidemic proportions in Kashmir valley and one among contributors to it is the consumption of junk food. The junk food has become a routine part of people’s lives and has largely replaced homemade meals, the DAK underlined and rightly so. Fast food is the quickest meal not just for busy professionals, but there is a rising trend of fast food among children and teenagers. They are often seen eating fast foods like pizzas and burgers. Children are addicted to chips, sugary drinks and frozen ready meals.
A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology examined the impact of fast food consumption among adults in the U.S. and its relationship to fat buildup in the liver.
The researchers found that consuming 20% or more of daily calories from fast food can increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease, also known as steatosis.
In this scenario, the people need to take nutritious, healthy food options and avoid foods that are high in fat, carbohydrates, and processed sugars. While People with fatty liver have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease also, there is need to take homemade meals and avoid junk food. People also need to burn fat by running in open spaces and toil in gyms.
