Mumbai: Liver-related problems have long been among the top 10 causes of death in Mumbai, but the burden of liver diseases has worsened in recent years. According to doctors, every third adult in the city has a fatty liver, which is now considered a precursor to a number of diseases, including liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
On World Liver Day on Saturday, experts say that the solution to poor liver health could possibly be as simple as following “balanced nutrition”. According to various global bodies observing World Liver Day, “Every sip you take and meal you make shapes your liver health”. The message is: “Even years of damage can be reversed – healthy changes today can cut liver disease risk by 50%.”
According to liver specialist Dr Chetan Kalal from Gleneagles Hospital in Parel, “Food is medicine. Every bite we eat has the potential to cure or worsen our body, including the liver. A nutrient-rich balanced meal should be the first line of therapy as far as the liver is concerned.” However, the high amount of processed food, sugars, and fats slows down the liver. “Many follow the western diet, are sedentary, under stress, and unable to sleep. This is a formula for fatty liver,” he said.
India records approximately over 2.6 lakh deaths due to liver disease each year, accounting for 3.17% of all deaths in the country. More strikingly, this represents 18.3% of global liver-related deaths, making India the highest contributor to liver disease fatalities worldwide, said gastroenterologist Dr Aditya Verma from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road.
The idea is to eat more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, and choosing healthy fats like those in nuts, seeds, and olive oil would help. “Staying well-hydrated and limiting alcohol consumption would aid the liver,” he added. Dr Harshad Joshi from Saifee Hospital, Charni Road, highlighted the case of a 59-year-old man who walked into the hospital with altered sensorium, abdominal swelling, and yellow discolouration of his eyes three months ago. According to his relatives, he consumed alcohol daily until six months before his admission. The patient was diagnosed with acute chronic liver failure and needed ICU care, along with multivitamins, albumin injection, and higher antibiotics. “He recovered completely, and his liver function tests are normal,” he said, adding that this case highlighted that alcohol is a reversible cause of liver disease.