healthy liver - 19 april 2016

8/18/2019 Healthy Liver - 19 April 2016

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THE STAR, TUESDAY 19 APRIL 2016

special

HEALTHY LIVER

On the other hand, hepatitis B isa lot more serious in terms ofdisease transmission and long-termconsequences.

A person with acute hepatitis Bor who is a chronic carrier risks

spreading the virus to others viablood, bodily fluids or sexualcontact.

Symptoms such as fever, nausea,abnormal urine colouration, andyellowing of eyes and skin arecommon symptoms for thosewith hepatitis B.

Individuals who are at risk ofcontracting hepatitis B includebabies born to mothers who arehepatitis B carriers, those whohave multiple sexual partners,intravenous drug users and peoplewho are prone to blood exposurein the course of their work, such aslaw enforcers and health officials.

People with hepatitis B aretreated with alpha interferon – acompound that interferes the virus’

progression. It is not, however,administered to pregnantwomen because it is a form ofchemotherapy.

According to Dr Chan WahKheong, associate professor ofmedicine and consultant physicianand gastroenterologist ofUniversity Malaya and councilmember of the Malaysian Societyof Gastroenterology andHepatology, the administration

of the hepatitis B vaccine andimmunoglobulin to newborns withmothers infected with the hepatitisB virus has greatly reduced theinfection rate among youngMalaysians.

Hepatitis C is the most chronicinfection of hepatitis. Also bloodborne and contractible throughminute amounts of blood, peoplecan be infected with the virusthrough needle sharing andtattooing.

With no obvious signs in mostcases, advanced liver cirrhosis –irreversible and extensive scarringof liver tissue – can occur muchlater when the disease has reachedan advanced stage.

Due to the severity of theinfection, patients with chronicliver diseases, including those whohave already been infected withhepatitis C, should be vaccinatedagainst hepatitis A and B. Secondinfections by either virus can

damage the liver further.“The introduction of highlyeffective direct-acting antivirals forthe treatment of chronic hepatitis Cin the country has improved liverhealth quality among Malaysians,”says Dr Chan.

Lifestyle causesThe liver plays a big role in the

metabolism of carbohydrates and

fats in the body. It stores excesscarbohydrates as glycogen andconverts these carbohydrates andproteins to fatty acids, which arethen stored in fat tissues betweenorgans and under the skin.

Having some fat in your liver isnormal but when it makes upbetween 5% and 10% of the liver’sweight, you may have a conditionknown as fatty liver disease.

There are two categories of fattyliver – alcoholic fatty liver diseaseand non-alcoholic fatty liverdisease (NAFLD).

As its name implies, alcoholicfatty liver disease is caused byexcessive intake of alcohol that hastaken a toll on the liver’s naturalfat metabolic process.

As the liver tries to break downlarge amounts of alcohol, itsmetabolic pathway shifts toproduce more fatty acids that willdeposit as fat molecules in the livercells.

Prolonging fatty liver diseasedue to alcohol leads to alcohol-induced liver inflammation(hepatitis) and leads to morechronic conditions such ascirrhosis. This advanced stage inliver damage is known as alcoholicliver disease.

However, there are instanceswhere people who do refrain fromconsuming alcohol suffer fromfatty liver caused mostly by poor

Themaster organ

lifestyle habits and,in rare cases, genetic

predisposition. This isNAFLD.

Dr Chan says that NAFLDis closely related to metabolicsyndrome – a precursor forother risk factors such ascardiovascular diseases, obesity,hypertension, high cholesteroland diabetes.

“NAFLD is more common inmales than in females and the

prevalence increases with age,”says Dr Chan.

Fortunately, fatty liverdisease is curable and thedamage is reversible in theearlier stages.

Patients diagnosed withfatty liver disease will beprescribed necessary

medication but shoulddrastically cut down their

alcohol intake to improve theirliver health and allow for livertissue regeneration.

Be in the knowLiver diseases are serious

medical problems that can be lifethreatening, but effectiveprevention methods, treatmentand disease management can helpimprove your liver health.

Make necessary lifestylemodifications. To ensure that yourliver is healthy and functionsoptimally, a well-balanced diet isrecommended with less sugar,salt and fat.

A regular exercise routine isalso recommended to ensureall metabolic systems functioneffectively. As for prevention,adopt safe sex practices and gethepatitis vaccinations.

If you suspect that you havebeen exposed to infected bodilyfluid, see your doctor and you willbe administered with a hepatitis Bimmunoglobulin.

Consult a specialist as soon aspossible if you feel like you maybe experiencing liver diseasesymptoms.

Avoid taking medication ordrugs that are beyond theprescribed dosage. Do yourresearch before beginning acourse of health supplementssuch as bodybuilding, weight loss,nutrition or herbal supplements.

Always check with yourphysician if it is safe and suitablefor you to begin taking a specificmedication or supplement.

Educate yourself and yourfamily about liver health. Beginby adopting a healthy lifestyle athome by cooking nutritious meals,leading an active lifestyle anddiscussing how you can furtherimprove your liver health withthe rest of the family. Maintaininga healthy liver ensures youroverall well-being, which meansyou will be able to reach your fullpotential.

THOUGH theliver plays amajor role in thedigestive, circulatory andexcretory system as well asnumerous metabolic anddetoxification pathways,many Malaysians areunaware of the importance oftheir liver health.

A healthy liver ensures thatyour body is able to perform atits fullest capacity. Hence, liverhealth awareness is crucial inensuring healthy overallbodily functions.

Liver failure isthe seventhmost commoncause of deathfrom non-communicablediseases amongMalaysians.

An unhealthydiet, sedentarylifestyle andconstant stress have

negative impacts on liverhealth. Though liver disease isnon-communicable, it can becaused by viral infections.

Though there are variousdiseases and conditions of theliver, the most common amongMalaysians are hepatitis, fattyliver disease and cancer. Of these,the first two are mostlypreventable.

Viral infectionsHepatitis is one of the major

liver diseases that occur globally.It describes an inflammation ofthe liver caused by a viralinfection, autoimmune responseor damage from toxins.

Most commonly, hepatitisrefers to the infection of thehepatitis virus. The threecommon hepatitis viruses arehepatitis A, B and C.

The hepatitis A virus istransmitted via contaminatedfood or water and mostcommonly through unsanitarypractices such as an infectedperson not washing handsproperly after using the toiletand handling food after.

Patients with hepatitis A exhibitflu-like symptoms such as fever,headache and general weakness.

More serious symptoms such asstomach cramps, diarrhoea and jaundice may manifest andhospitalisation may be required.

There is no treatment forhepatitis A but like many viralinfections, it will run its course.

Vaccines for hepatitis A areavailable and are highlyrecommended for those whotravel abroad frequently. Peoplewho have been vaccinated orinfected by hepatitis A develop alifelong immunity against thevirus with no long-termconsequences.


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Although there is a widely available vaccine for measles, children continue todie from this highly contagious infection, characterised by blotchy red rashesall over the body.

healthy liverTHE STAR,

TUESDAY 19 APRIL 2016

E rising cases of vaccine-ventable diseases (VPD),luding recent outbreaks ofasles, involve children who

ve not been properlymunised.Last year, the Health MinistryOH) reported two child deathse to measles, 13 due to pertussisd one due to diphtheria.Although vaccines for theseeases are widely available atvernment and private clinics,

H reports that the number ofents refusing to immunise theirldren has tripled in the lastee years to 1,541 cases last year.

Dr Kamarul Azahar Mohd Razali,

ad of the Paediatric Infectiouseases unit at Hospital Kualampur, says that while someents claim they do not have thee to bring their children in foreduled vaccinations, there areers who actively avoid vaccinesunfounded fear of theirldren suffering irreversible sideects from perceived toxic orgiously inappropriate elements.Those who have not witnesseddevastating effects of VPD mayunderstand the need fortection.When people do not receivecines, the herd immunity of a

mmunity against deadly diseasesompromised because the

mber of people exposed to thesehly contagious organisms goes

Protecting a nation

up,” Dr Kamarul explains.Herd immunity is acquired

when 95% of the population isvaccinated and it ensuresindividuals, including childrenwith compromised immunesystems – who cannot receivevaccines or independently fightinfections – are also protectedagainst VPD.

This includes those who haveimmune deficiencies caused bygenetic disposition and thoseundergoing treatment withimmunosuppressive drugs (such as

chemotherapy) and HIV-positiveindividuals.

ITH the oversaturation offormation on the topic in publicaces such as social media, itay be hard to determine theuth about certain aspects ofccinations.Dr Kamarul Azahar Mohd

azali, head of the Paediatricfectious Diseases unit atospital Kuala Lumpur, addressesme common concerns.

Number of vaccinations – Ang list of required vaccines mayem scary at first glance, but aild’s immune system is able tospond to multiple challenges.In fact, a child’s immune systemalready being exposed to manyreign antigens (substances notund naturally in the body)rough food and day-to-daytivities. Vaccines contain amparatively smaller numberantigens. Therefore, whenultiple vaccines are given ate same time or within a shortriod, they will not harm theild’s immune system.Additionally, many of these

ccines today are delivered inmbinations so children will onlyve to receive one jab forotection against severalseases, such as the three-in-oneeasles, mumps and rubellaccine (MMR) vaccination.

Halal compliance – Althoughere are some questions as toe use of animal-based enzymeearly stages of vaccine

development, the Health Ministry(MOH), working closely with theDepartment of IslamicDevelopment (Jakim), havedelivered a well-researchedconsensus declaring vaccinespermissible for Muslims.

l Side effects – The side effectsof vaccines have been greatlymisunderstood, especially since

Andrew Wakefield’s controversialresearch paper published in The Lancet medical peer review journal in 1998.

However, it is important to notethat The Lancet issued a completeretraction of the paper followingreviews that concluded thatelements of the paper wereincorrect.

In actuality, new vaccines arefriendlier than ever and commonside effects that include mild feveror rashes are transient andtreatable.

Severe side effects are rareand pale in comparison to thecomplications brought aboutby vaccine-preventable diseases.

l Homeopathy and naturalmedicine – Natural methodsshould only be used alongsidesolid medical treatment withscientifically proven efficacy, andthis is true when consideringhomeopathy against vaccinations.

The only way to protect yourselfand your child against deadlyinfectious diseases is throughimmunisation.

IN conjunction with the WorldHealth Organization’s WorldImmunization Week 2016, theHealth Ministry (MOH) isorganising National ImmunisationWeek 2016 from April 23 to 30.

With the theme Protect ourchildren. Protect their world. Getimmunised., MOH will launch theNational Immunisation PromotionCampaign to spread awarenessand address vaccine refusal in

the community. You should ensure your child is

vaccinated according to the NewImmunisation Schedule below.

These vaccines are available forfree at all government healthclinics, with the humanpapillomavirus (HPV) vaccinationfor 13-year-old girls also given atschools and additional vaccinesavailable at private clinics andhospitals at a certain fee.

Weighing actual risk

As with all medicines, vaccinescan cause side effects but they arecommonly mild, transient andtreatable. “Adverse side effectsdue to vaccines are very rare,”Dr Kamarul stresses.

The real risk lies in the potentialcomplications VPD can bring toyoung children who are notimmunised. Unfortunately, therehas been a surge in the number ofsuch cases in intensive care units(ICUs) of late.

“Once an infection affects thebrain, it can cause meningitis(inflammation of brain tissues),which can damage the brain,especially among children belowthe age of two. Brain infection inthese young children can causeblindness, cerebral palsy or evendeath in the worst cases,” saysDr Kamarul.

He relates the harrowing storyof a 22-month-old child sufferingfrom brain damage due to Haemophilus influenzae Type b(Hib) meningitis (inflammation ofthe lining of the brain and spinalcord) because her father refusedvaccination.

“Even the most experienced

among us have not seen such casesin a long time,” Dr Kamarullaments, stressing that this isprimarily because immunisationprogrammes have been able toprotect vaccinated communitiesthus far.

Vaccines are thoroughlyevaluated in clinical trials beforethe Drug Control Authority of MOHapproves them for public use. Theuse of the vaccines is continuouslymonitored after they are madeavailable to the population.

For the greater good

The physical and emotionalburden of VPD is borne both by the

patients and their caretakers. Thefinancial burden impacts not onlythe family involved, but also theoverall healthcare system – highhealthcare costs can be avoidedand resources channelled to helppatients in other critical diseasemanagement areas.

Medical professionals andhospitals must be equipped to dealwith these diseases, which canspread quickly to cause serious

Tuberculosis

Hepatitis B

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis

Haemophilus influenzae type B

Poliomyelitis

Measles, mumps, rubella

Japanese Encephalitis (Sarawak

only)

Measles and rubella second dose

(for those born before July 2015)

Diphtheria and tetanus booster

Age

1 month

Newborn

6 months

12 months

21 months

3 months

18 months

2 months

5 months

9 months

7 years

15 years

13 years

(girls only)

Hepatitis B (Dose 2)

BCG (Dose 1)



Measles (Dose 1)

MMR (Dose 2)

JE (Dose 2)

DTaP (Dose 2)

Hib (Dose 2)

Polio (Dose 2)

DTaP (Booster)

Hib (Booster)

Polio IPV (Booster)

DTaP (Dose 1)

Hib (Dose 1)

Polio (Dose 1)

DTaP (Dose 3)

Hib (Dose 3)

Polio (Dose 3)

MMR (Dose 1)

JE (Dose 1)

MR (Dose 2)

DT (Booster)

Tetanus (Booster)

HPV (Dose 1)

HPV (Dose 2)

Cervical cancer (caused by HPV

16 and 18)

To be given after six months

Get immunised

Understand vaccines

health concerns in urban andrural communities alike. This ishow an epidemic starts.

In May last year, 114 private,government and universityconsultant paediatricians signed a joint statement published on newsportal Malay Mail Online urging

parents to vaccinate their childrenafter seeing too many parentsrefusing to protect their childreneven after decades of successfulimmunisation programmes havekept the nation safe.

Dr Kamarul echoes this plea toparents, saying, “Not only arevaccines cheaper than the overallcost of treating VPD, they are alsothe safest option in preventing anoutbreak of diseases that would

pose a greater threat to our lovedones and society at large”.

He also calls on parents andmembers of the community toseek information about infectiousdiseases and vaccines fromreliable sources and professionalbodies.

“Most parents who challengevaccinations are influenced byanecdotal claims and unscientificreasoning. Always cross-check anyinformation you are unsure ofwith healthcare professionals,”advises Dr Kamarul.

“Our children are our future.They need to be protected so thatcomplications due to VPD do notrob them of the opportunity toachieve their potential.”

Type of

vaccineDisease(s)


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healthy liver 3

Digestive, liver health

GASTROENTEROLOGY is thediagnosis and treatment of diseasesof the gastrointestinal systemof the body, which includes theoesophagus, stomach, intestines,liver, gall bladder, pancreas, colonand rectum.

Subang Jaya MedicalCentre’s (SJMC) distinguishedgastroenterologists performapproximately 9,000 proceduresannually, using advancedendoscopy and colonoscopytechnology to treat disorders ofthe digestive system.

Most of its specialists haveextensive clinical experience in abroad range of specialties andmany of them are key opinionleaders in their respective fields inthe region.

With specialists committed toprevention and treatment of

digestive diseases, the hospitalprovides a full range of diagnosticand therapeutic services and treatseverything from gastroesphagealreflux disease or heartburnto acute liver failure and livercancer.

Some of the more commonconditions treated includes livercirrhosis, GERD, irritable bowelsyndrome, fatty liver, gastric andduodenal ulcer, pancreatic relateddiseases, common bile duct stones,strictures etc.

The team of gastroenterologistsworks closely with other referringphysicians to diagnose obscure

gastrointestinal and liver disordersand provides innovative andeffective treatments to patients.

Efective care

SJMC is committed to treating

each and every patient withcompassion, care and medicalexcellence.

Its team of gastroenterologistsoffer patients the potential tomanage chronic conditions,improve quality of life and

successfully treat gastrointestinaldiseases.

The doctors work closely witheach patient and their family tothoroughly discuss all treatmentoptions in order for the patient tomake a sound decision on the besttreatment required.

Using technology for betterpatient outcome, SJMC houses afull range of modern equipmentsuch as magnetic resonanceimaging machines (MRI), andcomputerised tomographymachines (for CT scans).

The hospital is the first inMalaysia to have Fibroscan which

is used to assess liver stiffness. Itis a non-invasive, painless methodof accurately managing fatty liver.

SJMC is also the first in thecountry to have thegroundbreaking new FuseColonoscopy technology which isthe gold standard for colorectalcancer screening.

The hospital’s Endoscopy Unithas four fully equippedendoscopy suites, includingone specialised endoscopicultrasound (EUS) suite andtwo X-Ray screening rooms, apre-assessment ward and 16recovery bays.

This is supported by experiencedand highly skilled team of nurseswho assist the doctors in a broadrange of medical and surgicalservices.

Within the team of highlyexperienced gastroenterologistsare doctors who are trained toperform niche procedures such asEUS, (a procedure that allows adoctor to obtain images andinformation about the digestivetract and the surrounding tissueand organs, including the lungs)and ERCP (endoscopic retrogradecholangiopancreatographyatechnique used to study the bile

ducts, pancreatic duct andgallbladder).

The SJMC Digestive and Livercentre of excellence has a mix offoreign and local patients.

Patients come from as far as Japan, the United Kingdom,Australia and Middle Easterncountries.

The centre is well reputed,with referrals from local privatehospitals on therapeutictreatments.

n For more information,call 03-5639 1212.KKLIU No.0743/2016

Using technology for better patient outcome, SJMC houses a full range ofmodern equipment.


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Strengthen

with collagen ARE you always in a hurry? Is your dailyschedule usually filled with endless workand restlessness?

A continuous sense of urgency andoverwhelming workload can placetremendous stress on your physical andmental health.

Bear in mind that the body needssufficient rest to carry out biologicalprocesses for everyday living to maintaingeneral well-being.

Having restless nights may result inhormonal imbalance, poor concentration,memory loss, skin ageing and increased riskof chronic illness.

In this modern era, many workingexecutives are often pushing their bodiesto meet high expectations, which impacts

their quality of life.Often, their daily routines become so busy

that instead of having nutritious home-cooked meals, they end up eating out.

Choosing healthier food choices awayfrom home is more challenging. Most of thetime, they end up grabbing their meal atconvenience stores or fast food places, whichare commonly high in fats, sugar and saltthat require extra effort to digest.

Some choose to eat a lot to ease theircraving after working all day, which causesthe liver to work harder to digest foods,particularly if the person consumes a diethigh in fats.

The largest internal organ, the liver,performs multiple functions to keep thebody free of toxins and harmful substances.

Nevertheless, toxins can accumulate

within the body throughout the years. Livinga hectic lifestyle besides having internaltoxins produced by the body and exposure toenvironmental toxins from pollutants canfurther burden and damage the liver.

You may not notice it, but you could besuffering from liver damage as symptomsusually remain unseen for years.

To ensure your liver is functioning well, ahealthy lifestyle practice is important,including having a good diet, managingstress, being physically active and controllingalcohol consumption. Apart from that, youmay opt for milk thistle as a naturalremedy to improve andmaintain liver health.

Milk thistle fruit and seed extract canimprove liver functions to help yourbody in the detoxification process.

Lift the burdenBeing native to the Mediterranean region,

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has beenused medicinally for more than 2,000 yearsas a traditional herb for a variety ofailments, particularly liver problems.It is popular due to its ability to protectand improve liver functions.

The natural compound silymarin is whatmakes milk thistle fruit and seed extractsgood herbal remedies for the liver.

According to a 2013 study published inthe Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine,silymarin is a potent antioxidant composedof at least seven flavonolignans andflavonoids.

Among these, silybin is the primaryactive ingredient in the silymarin complexwith regards to its antioxidant and

hepatoprotective properties, which areimportant in maintaining liver health andaiding liver detoxification.

Silybin was also shown to enhance proteinsynthesis, which stimulates the regenerationand repair of liver cells. The 2013 studyshowed that supplementation with milkthistle was associated with improved liverfunction and decreased liver enzymeactivity.

According to another study published in2011 in Iranian Journal of Basic MedicalSciences, silybin is well known for its abilityto stabilise cell membranes, therebypreventing toxic chemicals from enteringthe cell.

It can also act as a free radical scavengerthrough increasing the activity of superoxidedismutase and glutathione peroxidase

(important antioxidant enzymes) that aid inneutralising harmful effects of toxins.

As a complementary treatment for liverdisorders, one can opt for higher strength ofmilk thistle with 80% standardised silybinextracts.

Do not take your liver health for granted.Protecting your liver is vital to good health.Consult your doctor about takingcomplementary treatments.

This article is brought to you by BiO-LiFEMarketing Sdn Bhd.

n For more information,call 03-7882 8888.

LLAGEN is the most abundant protein inhuman body and is the substance thatds the body together.t is found in the tendons, muscles andn, where it forms a scaffold to provideength and structure.ollagen is a part of the connective tissuehe skin. It contributes to the firmness andpleness of the skin as well as constantewal of skin cells. Collagen is vital forping the skin supple.The skin’s ageing process is the process

of collagen loss,” said Dr FredricSheldon Brandt, who hostedradio show Ask Dr. Brandt onSiriusXM.

Pro Health Medics presents

a new concept for a collagendrink by combining 7,750mgof high-quality water-solublelow-molecular-weight fishcollagen extract from thescales, skins and bones offish and five-year fermentedprobiotics, which are infusedto boost absorption andefficacy.

Out of the 7,750mgof collagen, 500mg is smaller-molecular-weight collagen

called collagen tripeptide. It contains threetypes of collagen – type I, type II and typeIII.

Collagen tripeptide is a highly purified,non-antigenic, low-allergenic collagenfraction. It is a functional food materialwith several biological effects such asimproving dry skin, healing wounds and

even bone fractures, and increasing skinsuppleness.

Consuming a large amount of high-quality collagen is not effective unless it isabsorbed into the body.

Therefore, fermented probiotics (OM-X)are added to enhance nutrient absorptionand detoxification.

Beauty components such as vitamin C,hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, elastin,ceramide and royal jelly are also added tosupport the enhancement of overallabsorption. Thus, an anti-ageing effect,radiant skin and healthy joints can beachieved.

n For more information, call 03-8023 2292.Collagen keeps the skinsupple.

Collagen has anti-ageing effects.


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healthy liver 5

ARE you struggling with headaches, skinoutbreaks, insomnia, indigestion, musclepain, mood swings or weight gain? Thesemay be signs that your body is notprocessing toxins efficiently.

If these health issues are not dealt with,toxins build up and are stored in the body,eventually leading to chronic diseases.

Today’s environment is steeped withpollutants and chemicals that our bodies are

not designed to process.The body is essentially equipped with a

robust detoxification system that naturallyeliminates toxins, which involves five majororgans that work in unison.l The liver represents your body’s

primary detoxification system. It performsa series of chemical reactions to reducetoxicity of destructive substances such asalcohol, drugs and chemicals to be readilyexcreted in bile.l The colon carries wastes from the liver

and digestive systems to be excreted out ofthe body.l The kidney filters toxins and other

waste products from the blood and excretesthem through urine.l The lungs filter the air we breathe and

expel toxic waste such as carbon dioxide

through exhalation and coughing.l The skin evacuates wastes and toxins

through sweat.

These cleansing organs are constantlyworking to remove toxins. However, withthe extended exposure to toxins on a dailybasis, they can easily become overwhelmed.

A completedetoxification canhelp reduce the toxicload on your body andhelp it feel its best.Detoxification involves nourishing thebody with the nutrients it needs to functionoptimally. While avoiding toxins is notpossible, we can choose to live a life free ofthese substances by making smart choicesabout what we put into the body. This mayinvolve eating whole foods, drinking plentyof water and consuming natural, organicproducts.

You can boost your body’s health by

supplementing your daily diet with naturalherbs. Herbal cleansing offers a gentle wayof strengthening the excretory organs andboosting detoxification functions.

Potent detoxifying herbs such asdandelion, milk thistle, burdock, kudzu,wheat grass and aloe vera offer a healthyalternative for detoxification as well asnourish the body to regain sustainablevitality and overall well-being.

Detoxification flushes out foreigncomponents in the body, leaving us feelingmuch lighter, revitalised and full of energyas internal systems are restored to theiroptimal working state.

The health benefits of detoxificationinclude removal of excess waste, boostingenergy and vitality, strengthening theimmune system, weight loss, mental clarity

and prevention of illnesses.Consult your doctor when embarking on

a detoxification plan.

This article is brought to you byVitaHealth.

n For more information, call 1800 183 288.

Superfoods for a healthy liverTAKING care of yourself begins with whatyou put inside of you and taking care of yourliver means consuming foods that willnourish, cleanse and protect it fromextensive damage and viral infections.

Here are five superfoods that you shouldinclude in your diet to maintain a healthyliver.l GarlicOne of the common ingredients used in

Malaysian cuisines, garlic has various typesof sulphur-containing compounds that aid inliver enzyme activation and thus flushestoxins out of the body.

Garlic also contains natural-occurringcompounds such as allicin and selenium thathelp to protect the liver from damage andfurther improve the detoxification process.

l Carrots and beetsCarrots and beets are popular vegetables

and can be found in many markets andsupermarkets across the country.

These vegetables are rich in flavonoids

such as beta-carotene and anthocyanin,which have high antioxidative properties.They help to protect the liver from

oxidative stress caused by free radicals,which have been shown to be associatedwith cancer.

l Green vegetablesGreen vegetables have always been

known to be nutritious with vitamins,minerals and fibre for general health butthey can also help to reduce the liver’s

detoxification burden.Green vegetables are rich in cleansing

compounds that can help neutralise heavymetals in the body, reducing its impact onthe liver.

Some green vegetables that are rich inthese compounds include bitter gourd, greenspinach and mustard greens.

Avoid overcooking your green vegetablesto prevent degradation of the enzymes andcleansing compounds.

l Green teaPopular among avid tea drinkers, green

tea is known to be highly beneficial for liverhealth. Green tea is loaded with plantantioxidants such as catechins.

In 2013, a study in Kurume University, Japan, showed that catechins eliminate theaccumulation of liver fat and boost liverfunction. Other compounds in green tea alsoprotect the liver from harmful chemicals andtoxins.

l TurmericPopularly used in South-East Asian

cooking and known to have antibacterialproperties, turmeric also has liver-protectingproperties.

Turmeric aids the enzymic breakdown ofdietary carcinogens; this enhances protectionagainst liver damage and aids in theregeneration of damaged liver cells.

Turmeric also contains the compoundcurcumin that has been shown to havecancer-blocking properties.

Natural

way todetox


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Treating lung disease

OKING is one of the main risktors for lung disease.

Dr Wan Haniza Wan Mohamad,nsultant in respiratory medicined internal medicine at Mahkotadical Centre, explains that this isause chronic exposure to

arette smoke damages thetective barrier of the airway,reasing the risk of lung infectionhe short term.ome of the more common

mplaints that Dr Wan treatslude coughs, haemoptysisughing up blood), breathlessnessd chest discomfort.atients with these complaintsy also experience fever, nighteats, and weight and appetites. Sometimes, these conditionscomplications that arise fromg-term smoking.In the long term, smoking cand to lung cancer and chronic

tructive airway diseasePD),” says Dr Wan.Other risk factors for lungease are occupational exposuredust or chemicals and certaintic hobbies.”

Dr Wan explains that occurenceespiratory illnesses varyording to age group – younger

ople tend to have acute illnessesd asthma while older peopleve more chronic conditions suchCOPD, lung cancers or lungrosis.However, one condition that is

oming more common across allgroups is tuberculosis, which

can affect various parts of thebody.

“Generally, patients who go to arespiratory clinic can be dividedinto those with acute symptoms(lasting less than two weeks) andthose who have had symptomslonger,” she says.

Acute respiratory conditionsare mainly related to airborneinfections by virus or bacteria.

Other conditions with moreprolonged symptoms includechronic infections such astuberculosis (caused by exposureor contact with a person withthe disease and/or a crowdedliving space), lung cancers,

asthma (which has a geneticcomponent), COPD (mainly relatedto smoking) and bronchiectasis(mostly due to previous lunginfections).

Most people do not go to aspecialist straight away, as it iseasier for them to access a generalpractitioner (GP).

If your symptoms persist despiteinitial treatment by your GP or youhave certain severe symptomssuch as coughing up blood,breathlessness, or weight orappetite loss, your GP will referyou to a specialist.

Following an assessment by a

chest physician, some patients maybe advised to undergo furtherinvestigative work to confirm thediagnosis.

Common respiratory proceduresperformed include lung functiontesting, endoscopy such asbronchoscopy and pleuroscopy,sleep study and pleuralprocedures.

Bronchoscopy and pleuroscopyinvolve inserting a small camera

into the airways and pleural cavity

(a specific part of the lung)respectively to allow assessment ofthe particular area. A biopsy canbe carried out through theseprocedures.

Pleural procedures are carriedout to drain air or water from thepleural space (space between thelung and its lining).

Treatment includes inhalers,nebulisers and oral medicationssuch as antibiotics andimmunosuppresants.

“We will also explain the correcttechnique of using your inhaler,”says Dr Wan, explaining that aboutone-third of people who use

inhalers actually adopt anincorrect technique resulting invery little of the medicationentering the lungs and poor controlof asthma.

Symptoms that should prompta visit to a doctor include acuteonset (within two or three days)of respiratory symptoms that donot respond to simple over-the-counter medicines and recurrentsymptoms despite treatments byyour doctor.

“Symptoms that should ringalarm bells include coughing upblood, difficulty in breathing orweight and appetite loss. Youshould see a doctor straight away if

you have these symptoms,” advisesDr Wan.

When it comes to preventativemeasures for lung disease, Dr Wansays that the best preventativemeasure anyone can take is to stopsmoking or vaping, or to not startsmoking or vaping at all.

“This is probably easier saidthan done. It requires self-motivation and adequate medical,psychological and family support.But it’s the best thing you can do,”she says.

n For more information,call 06-285 2999.

Symptoms thatshould ring alarmbells includecoughing upblood, difcultyin breathing orweight loss andappetite. Youshould see adoctor straightaway if you have

these symptoms.Dr Wan Haniza Wan Mohamad


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healthy liver 7

Adopt lifestylechanges toavoid liverdiseases.

Change

your lifeTHE liver is a crucial organ thatperforms functions vital to lifesuch as processing nutrientsfrom food, producing bile andbuilding protein.

It also acts like a filter and isresponsible for removingalcohol, chemicals and othertoxins from the body.

Despite its importance, theliver is often neglected. Excessiveconsumption of alcohol, fattyfoods and even long-termmedication can stress andburden the liver, weakening itsfunctions and possibly leading to

liver disease.The modern stressful lifestyle,

coupled with unhealthy dietaryhabits, lead to the rise of amodern disease – fatty liver.

Fatty liver is not easilydetected in the early stages andcan go undetected for years. Asthe condition progresses,symptoms such as fatigue,abdominal distension aftermeals, bloatedness, discomfortafter slight alcohol consumptionand mild diarrhoea after mealsmay start to appear.

The over-consumption ofalcohol and a diet high in transand saturated fats result in highlevels of bad blood lipids in the

liver, which weaken liverfunction and cause imbalance ofthe spleen.

Over time, the liver becomesless effective at performing fatmetabolism. Thus, fataccumulates in the liver cellsand blood lipids level increases,leading to a fatty liver andimpairment of liver functions.

Fatty liver is exacerbated byinflammation in the liver, whichcould hasten its progression intoliver cirrhosis, a condition wherethe inflamed liver becomesscarred and hardened, causingliver failure and seriousconcerns.

This disease affects more men

than women aged 25 to 75.Therefore, early prevention andtreatment is necessary.

You can protect your liver byperforming lifestyle changessuch as:l Avoiding alcohol –

Indulging in the occasional glassof alcohol is unlikely to pose amajor health concern. However,routine and heavy alcoholconsumption is a major health

hazard that damages your liverand could lead to various liverconditions. Excessive alcoholmay cause your liver to swelland weaken your liver function,leading to fatty liver andeventually liver damage if leftuntreated.l Adopting a low-fat diet –

Junk food and red meats containhigh levels of trans andsaturated fats, which build up inyour liver. Over time, it candamage your liver and lead tofatty liver. Thus, it is crucial toconsume a healthy diet.

l Quitting smoking –Smoking is harmful to everyorgan and cell in the body. Thechemicals in cigarette andcigarette smoke containpoisonous carcinogens andtoxins that are harmful to thebody. Hence, it is advised thatpeople quit smoking to supportgood liver health.

Besides lifestyle and dietarychanges, traditional Chinesemedicines have been extensivelyused in the protection againstfatty liver and reduction of badblood lipids level in the body.

Traditional Chinese medicinessuch as sanchi, red peony root,

hawthorn fruit, green tangerinepeel, largehead atractylodesrhizome, oriental waterplantainrhizome, white peony root,chrysanthemum flower, lotusleaf and doddler seed providehealth benefits for the liver.The benefits are:l Prevent and relieve fatty

liverl Lower bad blood lipids levell Normalise the metabolic

function of bloodl Promote qi and normal liver

functionl Nourish blood and liverl Remove heat and toxicityl Guard the liver against

harmful chemicalsl

Strengthen the spleen

With your doctor’s advice, usetraditional Chinese medicinescomplementarily with medicaltreatments.

This article is brought to youby GNC Live Well.

n For more information,call 1800 888 462.

Get testedLIVER diseases are asymptomaticand when symptoms start to show,advanced liver damage may havealready taken place.

People who are at risk ofdeveloping liver diseases shouldget regular check-ups and bloodtests to monitor their liver health.

These include individuals whohave increased alcohol intake,unhealthy lifestyles, contractedhepatitis B and been diagnosedwith cirrhosis.

In most check-ups, standardphysical and ultrasoundexaminations are conducted andsupplemented with a liver profileblood test.

A liver profile consists of serumlevels of liver enzymes. Elevation

of these enzymes suggests liverinjury and will prompt furtherinvestigation to determine theunderlying cause.

The liver profile also consists ofserum levels of albumin and

bilirubin markers (albumin is acommon protein found in the bloodwhile bilirubin is the by-product ofbroken-down red blood cells).

When the liver function isimpaired, the serum albumin levelwill be lower while the serumbilirubin level will be higher.

Quick factsl The liver is the largest

internal organ in the humanbody.l The liver is the only

internal organ in the humanbody capable of regenerationeven after 75% liver tissue

loss.l Enclosed in the rib cage

cavity, the liver consists of a leftlobe and a larger right lobe. Thegallbladder, pancreas, parts of

the small intestine, and majorarteries and veins can be foundaround the liver.l Some of the functions of the

liver include food digestion, bileproduction, storage for excesscarbohydrates, fatty acid

breakdown, alcoholdehydrogenation, negatingpoisonous heavy metalcompounds and drugdetoxification.


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healthy liver - 19 april 2016

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