What is the Enemy of the Liver?
Excessive consumption of refined sugar and high-fructose corn syrup is a major enemy of the liver. Studies indicate that sugar can damage the liver as severely as alcohol, regardless of weight. This is due to a fatty buildup in the liver caused by excessive sugar intake. Limiting added sugars in foods like soda, pastries, and candy is crucial for liver health.
Beyond sugar, several other factors pose significant threats to liver health:
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): This condition involves the accumulation of fat in the liver despite the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. [^1]
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV): HBV infection, particularly occult HBV infection, can lead to liver cancer by promoting fibrosis and cirrhosis. HBV is a global health concern, affecting a significant portion of the world's population. [^2, ^3, ^8]
- Excessive Vitamin A: High doses of therapeutic Vitamin A can cause liver damage. [^4]
- Fructose: Excessive fructose consumption, whether from food or beverages, can overwhelm gut defenses and contribute to fatty liver disease. [^6]
- Pannexin1 channels: These channels are implicated in liver inflammation and cell death. [^9]
- Spleen in liver cirrhosis: The spleen's role in the progression of liver cirrhosis should also be considered. [^10]
Foods to Avoid for Liver Health:
Following a diet that avoids the following is important for maintaining a healthy liver:
- Juice
- Soda
- Sugary beverages
- Refined carbohydrates (e.g., white bread) [^7]
It's important to note that these are just some of the factors that can negatively impact liver health. Maintaining a balanced diet, limiting alcohol consumption, and practicing a healthy lifestyle are crucial for protecting your liver.
[^1]: Underrated enemy – from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease to cancers ... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6000748/
[^2]: Occult HBV infection: a faceless enemy in liver cancer development https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24717680/
[^3]: Occult HBV Infection: A Faceless Enemy in Liver Cancer Development https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/6/4/1590
[^4]: Vitamin A - LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548165/
[^6]: The Gut Shields the Liver from Fructose-Induced Damage - Penn ... https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2020/june/the-gut-shields-the-liver-from-fructose-induced-damage
[^7]: Fatty liver diet: 8 foods to eat and 8 to avoid https://www.singlecare.com/blog/fatty-liver-diet/
[^8]: The Insidious Enemy of the Liver: The Situation in Childhood ... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38718420/
[^9]: Pannexin1 channels in the liver: an open enemy - Frontiers https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2023.1220405/full
[^10]: The spleen in liver cirrhosis: revisiting an old enemy with novel ... https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-017-1214-8
