Credit: iStock Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a spectrum of liver disease that begins with excess fat accumulation in liver cells. Left unchecked, this can progress to a more advanced disease stage, called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), that involves scarring and inflammation of the liver. There aren’t any approved therapies for NASH yet, which means … Continue reading How Technology and Physiology Are Making Sick Livers Transplantable
Liver Disease
Why Liver Cells Are Like a Rowing Crew
Credit: iStock At the back of a rowing boat sits the coxswain (pronounced “kaak-sn”) or “cox” for short. Unlike the rest of the muscle-bound rowing crew, the cox is much smaller and does not actually row. You might wonder: Why they should be kept in the boat if they don’t help with the energy-demanding tasks? … Continue reading Why Liver Cells Are Like a Rowing Crew
Binge Drinking and Fatty Liver: It Could Be All in Your Head
Credit: iStock Alcohol consumption is a normal part of culture for many: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports more than 55 percent of adults over 18 say they have had an alcoholic drink in the past month. It’s often a social lubricant and a mainstay at holiday gatherings and other important events. … Continue reading Binge Drinking and Fatty Liver: It Could Be All in Your Head
The Triple Threat: Diet, Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease
Credit: iStock Fatty liver disease is a group of disorders that occur when too much fat builds up in the liver. Many people may have heard of alcohol-related fatty liver disease, a condition in which moderate to heavy consumption of alcohol leads to fat buildup and scarring in the liver. However, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease … Continue reading The Triple Threat: Diet, Diabetes and Fatty Liver Disease
The Hispanic Paradox: Why Are Some Ethnic Groups Living Longer than Others?
In the U.S., we focus much attention on the health behaviors that can help us live a longer life: the “secrets” of centenarians and long-lived animal species such as the naked mole rat, the optimal amount of exercise to help us maintain muscle tone and independence, and the best eating style—whether it’s eating like we … Continue reading The Hispanic Paradox: Why Are Some Ethnic Groups Living Longer than Others?
Sugars, Fructose and Your Health
Early humans were probably jacks of all trades when it came to food—they ate what was available, and the amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in their diet varied dramatically depending on where they lived. Except for honey, there were likely no sweeteners to “spice” up their meals. That all changed 200 years ago when … Continue reading Sugars, Fructose and Your Health
What Alcohol Can Do to Your Body Is Not Always So ‘Cheer’y
“Cheers!” is a word often associated with alcohol consumption, conjuring up images of celebration and good times. However, it is important to remember that alcohol is a drug as much as any other drug, prescription or otherwise. In fact, alcohol is the most widely abused drug in the U.S. Alcohol misuse affects every organ in … Continue reading What Alcohol Can Do to Your Body Is Not Always So ‘Cheer’y