2024-10-30 10:42:00
The liver is an extremely important organ that cleanses, filters and detoxifies the body. Gone is the preconceived idea that liver disease is an alcoholic’s problem. In his book “It all comes from the liver.”Doctor Pierre Nys, endocrinologist-nutritionist, recalls that the primary causes of suffering for the liver today are the sucre, overweight et physical inactivity. Liver disease is therefore much more widespread than we imagine…
Without being an alcoholic, the liver can suffer from poor lifestyle. The problem is that since the liver has no nerves, it is never really painful. Result ? You can have a very unhealthy liver without even realizing it. However, it is possible to identify if your liver is being mistreated by quickly analyzing and identifying possible unhealthy habits in your lifestyle. Signs that can alert:
I have belly fatlike a buoy. I have a diet very sweetI eat dessert with every meal (including chocolate and candy), I drink soda daily and I snack. I am very sedentaryI move little on a daily basis (walking only 15 minutes a day.) I do little or no sport during the week.
The risk when the liver is in pain? The development of liver diseases (NASH, cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc.). In France, the number of patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) or fatty liver diseaseis growing. The main causes are junk food and a sedentary lifestyle which disrupt the proper functioning of the liver and cause abnormal accumulation of fats within liver cells.
Liver disease: signs that should alert you
We understand that the liver does not show itself directly when it is bad. However, certain symptoms can alert us, among them:
Severe fatigue persisting despite rest may signal liver disease.
Digestive disorders (bloating, gas, feeling of heaviness after a meal) can be a sign of an unhealthy liver.
A palpable mass in the ribs may be due to hepatic inflammation. Several liver diseases can be involved, such as fatty liver, hepatitis B and C or liver cancer. When in doubt, consult!
Bad breath. A subtle sign but particularly present in patients who suffer from cirrhosis and other liver disorders.
Jaundice in the skin and eyes signals liver dysfunction. It is seen on the face and body on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Dark urine / pale stools. These symptoms may be a sign of cirrhosis or hepatitis.
Liver: when should you consult a doctor?
Consult a hepatologist (gastroenterologist specializing in diseases affecting the liver)? It is the doctor who will refer his patient to a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist if he notices symptoms that may be linked to liver disease:
Jaundice or jaundice (yellow coloring of the integuments) due to the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, Digestive symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, etc. Abnormal and unexplained weight loss, Hard and swollen stomach, which may be linked to an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Abnormalities in blood test results …
The challenge for the health professional? Ensure that an accumulation of these symptoms does not hide a more serious illness and intervene early enough. The liver has the ability to regenerate quickly if we take care of it and thus avoid the risk of cirrhosis, hepatitis or cancer.
What solutions to relieve the liver?
In the case of more serious diseases, such as cirrhosis or cancer, specific liver treatment is necessary.
On the other hand, for less serious illnesses medical treatment is not necessarily necessary. We can relieve a tired liver with a better diet! Following a suitable detox diet will facilitate the work of the liver; we put lean meats and vegetables on the menu and we avoid foods that are too rich such as red meat or even starchy foods.
Certain foods are even more interesting to use for their detoxifying property and thus cleanse the liver. Spices, green vegetables, lemon and black radish are among other superfoods that guarantee a healthy liver and avoid the risk of liver problems.
You don’t need to be an alcoholic to reduce your consumption, we prefer sugar-free drinks and we especially drink a lot of water! Tea and coffee are not prohibited provided they are consumed without sugar.
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Pierre Nys doctolib
**Interview with Dr. Pierre Nys on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease**
**Interviewer**: Good morning, Dr. Nys. Thank you for joining us today. Your book, *It All Comes from the Liver*, addresses a growing concern about liver health, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Can you start by explaining what NAFLD is and why it’s becoming so prevalent?
**Dr. Nys**: Good morning! Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who consume little to no alcohol. In recent years, we’ve seen its incidence spike due to poor dietary habits, particularly high sugar intake, and a sedentary lifestyle. Many people are surprised to learn that liver disease is not exclusively linked to alcohol consumption but can be significantly influenced by factors like obesity and inactivity.
**Interviewer**: That’s quite eye-opening. What are some of the alarming signs that our liver might be suffering?
**Dr. Nys**: Exactly. The liver is a silent organ—it has no pain receptors, so it often doesn’t show symptoms until it’s quite damaged. However, certain signs can indicate that something is wrong, such as persistent fatigue, digestive issues like bloating, and in more serious cases, jaundice—which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Dark urine and pale stools can also be warning signs of liver distress.
**Interviewer**: You’ve noted that lifestyle choices play a significant role in liver health. What common habits should individuals be cautious about?
**Dr. Nys**: Absolutely. I often see patients with excess belly fat who consume a diet rich in sugary foods and beverages. A sedentary lifestyle, where someone might only be walking for 15 minutes a day, significantly exacerbates the risk of developing fatty liver disease. It’s crucial for individuals to assess their diet and activity levels, as these factors are directly linked to liver health.
**Interviewer**: What advice can you offer to someone who suspects they might have a liver issue?
**Dr. Nys**: If you have symptoms that worry you—like severe fatigue or digestive problems—the best course of action is to consult a healthcare professional, ideally a hepatologist or gastroenterologist. Regular check-ups and liver function tests can help catch issues early before they develop into more serious conditions like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for that valuable insight, Dr. Nys. As our lifestyle continues to shift, it’s vital to keep our liver health in check. Any final thoughts for our listeners?
**Dr. Nys**: Yes! It’s important to understand that liver health is within our control. Modifying our diet, increasing physical activity, and managing stress can all contribute to a healthier liver. Awareness is the first step, so I encourage everyone to pay attention to their habits and seek medical advice when needed.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Nys, for sharing your expertise. Your insights will certainly encourage our listeners to take a closer look at their liver health.
