Hyderabad: Your liver could be silently deteriorating — and you may not know it until it’s too late. Ahead of World Liver Day, which is being observed on Saturday, doctors raised concern over a growing but under-recognised epidemic: liver diseases linked to lifestyle and diet, which are now affecting people at increasingly younger ages in India. The solution lies in moderation. “One in five individuals in India suffers from liver disease,” said Dr Anand V. Kulkarni, senior consultant, AIG Hospitals. “This growing burden is fuelled by easily accessible unhealthy food, rising obesity, increasing screen time, lack of physical activity, and the normalisation of alcohol consumption.” Besides, viral hepatitis — particularly hepatitis A, B, and E — is endemic in India, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for more than two-thirds of the global burden of the disease. The consequences have been grave: a noticeable surge in liver cancer, often diagnosed late when treatment options are limited. Liver disease remains a silent threat. “The liver can withstand injury for years without producing symptoms,” said Dr Kulkarni. Subtle signs such as vague right-sided abdominal pain, darkening of the skin, mild itching, and swelling of the legs are frequently overlooked. Fat accumulation in the liver — commonly referred to as fatty liver — has become one of the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and cancer. Cirrhosis, an irreversible hardening of the liver, is increasingly being seen in younger individuals, primarily due to excessive alcohol intake. A recent study by AIG Hsopitals found that many patients between 35 and 45 years of age were coming with alcohol-related liver disease, often with poor survival outcomes. Dr G. Srinivas Reddy, consultant hepatologist, echoed this concern, calling non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) the most common liver issue in clinical practice today. NAFLD is a progressive disorder that can range from simple fat build-up in the liver (steatosis) to inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH), and eventually cirrhosis. What makes this condition particularly dangerous is that it often develops without symptoms. In India, NAFLD affects about 35 per cent of the population and up to 88 per cent of people with diabetes. Even individuals with a normal body mass index — especially among Asians — can develop a form of NAFLD known as lean NASH due to genetic predispositions. The good news, both doctors said, was that early liver damage is reversible, and lifestyle modification is the key. “Food is medicine,” said Dr Reddy, aligning with this year’s World Liver Day theme. “A diet rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, especially from fruits and vegetables, can reduce liver inflammation significantly.” Ginger and garlic are excellent natural liver-supporting ingredients. Fibre-rich seeds like chia and flax help regulate calorie intake and promote gut health, which in turn reduces inflammation in the liver. Seafood, which contains selenium and vitamin E, is also liver-protective, as are legumes that help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight. Dr Reddy warned against foods with high added sugars like sodas, as well as red and processed meats, ultra-processed foods, and alcohol — all of which increase inflammation and fat deposits in the liver. “These foods overload the liver with carbohydrates and bad fats, which can lead to both inflammation and bacterial imbalance,” he says. Even fruits like mangoes, often feared for their sugar content, are not harmful in moderation. “Mangoes contain antioxidants and fibre. They’re not the enemy,” said Dr Reddy. Dr Kulkarni emphasised that a balanced diet, regular exercise, and early screening are critical to liver health. “Walking at least 8,000-10,000 steps a day, drinking three to four litres of water, and even including two to three cups of black coffee, has shown protective effects on the liver. Children must be taught healthy habits early on, as the roots of many liver conditions begin in youth,” he said. Vaccination against hepatitis B, avoiding over-the-counter painkillers unless prescribed, and ensuring access to clean water and sanitation are also essential in the fight against viral hepatitis. “The liver is the body’s silent engine — it processes everything we eat and drink, but never complains until it’s deeply damaged,” said Dr Kulkarni. “It’s the only organ that forgives — until it can’t. Take care of it. Eat wisely, move more, and let food be your medicine.”
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