As much damage to the liver as alcohol, excessively ultra-processed foods can lead to cirrhosis.
There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of whether or not fast food is bad for your liver. While some people claim that fast food can damage your liver, others argue that it is not necessarily harmful. However, the truth is that fast food can definitely cause liver damage, especially if you eat it regularly.
SYNOPSIS
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Introduction
The likelihood of developing the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rises with regular consumption of foods high in fat, sodium, and chemical preservatives like pizza, hamburgers, and French fries.
French fries, hamburgers, pizza, sausages, and other ultra-processed foods can harm the liver just as much as drinking alcohol. When these choices account for more than 20% of a person's daily intake, their health is put in danger, even though the problem does not exist when the intake is irregular.
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Photo by Haseeb Jamil on Unsplash |
Ultra-processed foods, also referred to as "fast food," are high in sodium, fat, and added sugar, which not only contributes to weight gain but also harms the cardiovascular system by raising the risk of hypertension or high cholesterol. According to a recent study, these products should now be included in a daily diet less frequently.
A study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found a link between eating fast food and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). a potentially fatal condition brought on by the buildup of fat in the liver, which, in more advanced stages, can result in cirrhosis and liver cancer.
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Human Liver |
People with obesity or diabetes who consume 20% or more of their daily calories from fast food have extremely high levels of liver fat compared to those who eat less or no fast food. They noticed modest increases in liver fat in those without a history of metabolic disease when ultra-processed foods made up at least one-fifth of the population's diet.
What foods are regarded as fast food?
Pizzas, hamburgers, French fries, and sausages or hot dogs served in restaurants are all considered fast food by the research team from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of South Carolina, USA, which was in charge of the investigation. or at the purported fast food chains.
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Photo by Pixzolo Photography on Unsplash |
Hepatic steatosis, another name for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, can result in cirrhosis, or liver scarring, which can cause cancer or liver failure. More than 30% of Americans have hepatic steatosis.
Within the liver, triglyceride molecules are broken down and the resulting free fatty acids are exported into the bloodstream. However, when there is an oversupply of triglycerides, the liver is overwhelmed and begins to store the excess free fatty acids. This results in liver cell damage and the formation of fatty deposits in the liver, a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Associations have been found between fast food and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In one study, individuals who frequently ate fast food had a three-fold increased risk of developing the disease. The study authors attribute this to the high-fat content of fast food.
Fast food is also often high in sugar, which can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not respond properly to insulin which can lead to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The mortality rate associated with fatty liver is increasing, and this is especially worrisome given that the disease is strongly linked to the high consumption of ultra-processed foods. These foods are not only a major contributor to the development of fatty liver, but they can also lead to other serious health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Given the seriousness of the situation, it is important to take steps to address the problem, such as by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The specialist concluded by expressing his concern about the high-junk food diet that kids and teenagers currently consume at home and at school: "They have an unbalanced diet with many addictive substances, which becomes part of their culture." Therefore, it is likely that in the future we will see a wave of cases of cirrhotic patients who need transplants but who could have been prevented today with a good diet, promoting that they do not eat junk food at school."
The liver is the second largest organ in the human body and is responsible for hundreds of functions. One of its main jobs is to filter toxins out of the blood. The liver does this by creating bile, a yellowish-green fluid that helps break down fats. Too much fat in the liver can lead to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is the build-up of extra fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol. It is the most common form of liver disease in the United States.
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"2018.05.29 Low Carbohydrate Meetup, Washington, DC USA 439" by Tibetan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. |
NAFLD can range from mild to severe. In its most severe form, NAFLD can lead to cirrhosis, a condition that may require a liver transplant. NAFLD is usually seen in people who are overweight or obese and have high levels of fats, such as triglycerides, in their blood. NAFLD can also be seen in people with diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
People with NAFLD are at an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and liver cancer. There is no specific diet for NAFLD, but losing weight and eating a healthy diet can help. Exercise can also help get rid of some of the fat in the liver. If you have NAFLD, it is important to see your doctor for regular check-ups.
Information about the study
Ani Kardashian, M.D., a hepatologist at the School of Medicine at Keck and the study's lead author, claims that a slight increase in fat can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. She said that the average amount of fat in healthy livers is less than 5%.
The stark increase in liver fat in individuals with obesity or diabetes is particularly striking, and it is most likely caused by the fact that these conditions increase the risk of fat buildup in the liver. This is one of the first studies to demonstrate the detrimental effects of fast food on liver health, despite previous studies linking fast food with obesity and diabetes.
According to a study that examined information from the most recent US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is the largest annual nutrition survey, moderate amounts of fast food that is high in fat and carbohydrates can harm the liver. They assessed the fatty liver measurements of 3,954 adults and contrasted them with their fast food intake.
In the survey, 52% of respondents said they occasionally ate fast food. Of these, 29% obtained at least 5% of their daily caloric intake from fast food. Only 29 percent of the survey participants had elevated liver fat levels.
For both the general population and those who have obesity or diabetes, the association between fatty liver and a 20% fast-food diet remained stable even after data were modified for several additional factors, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, and alcohol use.
Conclusion
Fast food is generally high in unhealthy fats and calories, which can lead to obesity and other health problems. obese people are more likely to develop fatty liver disease, which is a condition in which there is too much fat in the liver. Fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis, which is a serious liver condition that can be fatal.
So, if you are worried about your liver health, it is best to avoid fast food altogether. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are the best ways to keep your liver healthy.
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