New research provide further evidence of the harms of consuming too many sweetened beverages,after linking soda and other fructose-containing products with increased risk of liver disease.Researchers suggest that high fructose intake- particularly from sweetened drinks -is linked to a form of nonalcoholic fatty liver decease in children and adolescents.Researchers found that children and adolescents who consumed high amount of fructose-most commonly from sweetened drinks-were more likely to have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a form of nonalcoholic fatty live disease (NAFLD).
Senior investigator Dr.Valerio Nobili,of the Bambino Gesu Hospital in Italy,and colleagues recently reported their findings in the Journal of Hematology. NAFLD is a condition characterised by a buildup of fat in the liver that is not caused by alcohol consumption.In NASH,the fat buildup is accompanied by inflammation and liver cell damage ,which can cause scarring,or fibrosis.NASH can lead to severe complications,including cirrhosis and liver cancer.Excess weight is a leading risk factor for NAFLD & NASH. Dr.Nobili & colleagues,estimates suggest that up to 9.6% of all children and 38% of obese children in Western countries have some form of liver disease including NASH.
Assessing the Impact of fructose intake on NASH.
According to the researchers,previous studies have indicated that dietary fructose intake leads to an increase in blood levels of uric acid,
and high levels of both fructose and uric acid have been identified in people with NAFLD. For this latest study,Dr.Nobili and team set out to investigate whether fructose and uric acid might be independently associated with NASH."Numerous studies have shown that high uric acid levels are associated with metabolic syndrome and NAFLD,but to date,to the best of our knowledge,no studies have tested the independence of associations among uric acid concentrations,fructose consumption,and NASH confirmed by biopsy," notes Dr.Nobili.
To reach their finding,the researchers studied 271 obese children and adolescents who had NAFLD,all of whom underwent a live biopsy. All participants completed a food frequency questionnaire, which disclosed precisely what foods they consumed,how often they consumed them,and the portion size.Using these data,the team calculated the participants dietary fructose intake. They found that soda and other sweetened drinks were a major source of fructose;almost 90% of subjects reported drinking soda and other sweetened beverages at least once weekly. Morning and afternoon snacks consisting of pizza,crackers,yogurt,and saly snacks were a regular occurrence for almost 95% of the participants,the team reports.
Fructose,Uric Acid 'Independently And Positively Associated With NASH'.
From the liver biopsies,the researchers found that 37.6% of the children and adolescents had NASH. Of these,47% had high concentrations of uric acid,compared with 29.7% of participants without NASH.Importantly,the team found that fructose intake was independently associated with high uric acid concentrations,and fructose intake was more frequent among participants with NASH than those without NASH. "In this study,we show for the first time that uric acid concentrations and dietary fructose consumption are independently and positively associated with NASH.The development of NASH may markedly affect life expectancy and quality of life in affected individuals and therefore it is crucial to understand the risk of factors for NASH in children and adolescents in order to design effective interventions which can be used safely to treat this young group of patients."-Dr. Valerio Nobili.
Researchers add that greater efforts should be made to reduce the consumption of soda and other sweetened drinks among children and adolescents,which may lower fructose intake.
Fatty Liver Disease:Breaking It Down.
Every one has some fat in their liver,but when fat content makes up 5% or more of the organ's weight,it is called fatty liver disease.
Fatty Liver Disease is one of the most common causes of permanent liver damage,and can be caused by poor diet and compounded by long hours of sitting and lack of exercise
Among Other Causes are excessive alcohol intake,over-medication,viral infections and toxins or chemicals ingested through processed food.
A good news is that fatty liver disease can be reversed in a matter of months,just by eating healthier and getting enough exercise.
The bad news ? You could have a fatty liver and not know it till the damage has been done.Symptoms tend to show up only when the damage has become more or less permanent.
How healthy is your Liver ?
1.Do you feel tired all the time?
2.Are your hands or feet swollen?
3.Do you always feel bloated?
4.Is your urine dark yellow?
5.Is your appetite falling?
6.Have you been running a low-grade fever (about 100 degrees F) for more than two weeks?
7.Do you get frequent abdomen aches?
8.Are your skin and/or eyes turning yellowish?
9.Are you a heavy drinker?
10.Are you obese?
If answered yes to 5 of these questions,you should consult with your doctor.