Over the past few years, liver-related disorders such as liver cancer have been increasing at an alarming rate. As people in the modern workforce are turning more sedentary, as stress levels rise, scientists caution that the average office worker is potentially harming one of the most important organs in the body, the liver. Dr. Sanket Mehta, founder and Surgical oncologist, SSO Cancer Hospitals, shared his thoughts, on how the liver can be damaged by our everyday lifestyle, excessive time spent behind the desk, and unhealthy eating habits and what can be done to avert it.
How does a modern lifestyle put stress on the liver?
The contemporary way of life is convenience-based. We are consuming more processed food and living in persistent stress. All these exert a lot of pressure on the liver which is tasked with the responsibility of cleansing the body, handling nutrients as well as fat metabolism.
Low-nutrient refined carbohydrate, sugary beverages, and trans fat diets are major causes of fat build up in the liver, resulting in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) which is one of the most common liver diseases in the world. To top it, the problem is further aggravated by irregular meal schedules, snacking at night, and alcohol. Sleep deprivation and continuous exposure to the digital screens may also disrupt the hormonal balance, which indirectly influences liver metabolism.
Lifestyle related liver damage is becoming widespread even in the non-drinkers. With constant abuse, the regenerative power of the liver is diminished when exposed to constant toxins, bad diet, and stress hormones, paving way to inflammation, fibrosis and later cancer.
How is my desk job increasing my risk of liver cancer?
There is a direct correlation between inactive occupation and liver disease. A desk job involves a sedentary lifestyle. Research indicates that sitting longer than eight hours a day, despite exercising, may slow down your metabolism and your body will have less control of blood sugar and fat.
This has the potential of causing insulin resistance, which is a major pathogen of fatty liver disease. In the long run, the fat may be deposited into liver cells leading to inflammation (steatohepatitis) and scarring (fibrosis). The chronic condition can develop into cirrhosis in case of uncontrolled cases and predispose to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, a prevalent type of liver cancer.
Stress is also another factor that has been ignored. The high level of cortisol due to tight deadlines, constant stress and lack of mental downtime can influence liver functioning, and provoke fat deposition. To add to it many professionals use stimulants like coffee, energy drinks, or alcohol to deal with fatigue leading to overburden of the liver. Further poor hydration and immobility forms ideal conditions for permanent liver damage.
What do most people not realise about liver health?
The misperception that liver disease is a disease that is solely associated with excessive drinkers is the most prevalent one. In practice, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently prevalent among millions of individuals who have never had alcohol. Sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating contribute to a large extent to this silent epidemic.
What many people do not realise is that liver itself has no pain receptors. This means that liver damage often progresses silently for years before symptoms usually appear. They appear when the liver capsule or the surrounding structures become stretched or inflamed. The liver can be severely scarred by the time the individual starts experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, or abdominal pains.
In addition, most of the non-prescription painkillers, herbal supplements and so-called detox drinks are hepatotoxic when used without expert guidance. It is important to note that overconsumption of drugs or supplements may saturate the organ. It is extremely important to hydrate yourself to aid the liver and flush out toxins from the body. Unfortunately with the current busy lifestyle majority of adults do not consume the required amount of water.
Routine screening, particularly of people with diabetes or obesity, or with a family history of liver disease, is essential. Life intervention can be initiated early enough before the damage has been done.
What habits can help improve liver health?
Changing to make the liver healthier does not demand any radical actions, but is a question of discipline. The following are some of the main habits, which can be significantly helpful:
- Move more: Have short breaks with time intervals of an hour or so to stretch or walk. It can only help by standing after every half an hour of sitting.
- Have balanced meals: Give priority to fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Avoid deep fried and processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water during the day helps the liver to detoxify.
- Limit alcohol: 60 ml per week is the permissible limit. Anything more can lead to addiction which can eventually cause liver damage. The simplest way of protecting the liver is to drink moderately or not at all.
- Get sleep: Quality sleep provides a chance to the liver to renew and fix itself.
- Deal with stress: Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises help to decrease the amount of cortisol. This takes a load off the liver.
- Keep the weight down: Fat in the liver can be lowered with loss of weight and the person can henceforth function better.
Frequent health checks such as liver tests and ultrasounds are also advisable to people who lead inactive lifestyles.
What are some of the worst foods for the liver?
Our liver is directly influenced by our diet. Regrettably, most common foods are dangerous when taken in abundance or regularly. Top offenders include:
- Sugary drinks: Soft drinks, energy drinks and sweetened juices are some of the beverages that lead to accumulation of fats and insulin resistance.
- Processed meats: These include a lot of sodium and preservatives that may overwork the liver.
- Fried and fast foods: Trans fats in these foods are the cause of inflammation and fatty liver disease.
- Refined carbohydrates: White bread, pastries and sweet cereals are converted swiftly to glucose overloading the liver.
- Alcohol: Alcohol abuse or frequent drinking is among the prominent causes of liver inflammation and cirrhosis.
Natural, unprocessed foods and portion control can considerably decrease the toxic load on the liver. Moderation is the key, even healthy food may prove problematic when consumed in excess.
Your liver is the silent accomplice of nearly all metabolic activities in your body, including digestion, and detoxification. In the modern desktoped society, one can always afford to overlook it until something goes amiss. The positive thing is that the liver can heal amazingly provided it gets the proper treatment. Liver health, in its highest form, is a sound diet and physical activity, as well as conscious living.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to avoid with liver cancer?
Alcohol has to be completely avoided for liver cancer and overall liver health as it puts stress on the liver further and interferes with treatment. Apart from alcohol, red meat, processed meats, mouldy foods, sugary items, trans fats, etc. can further stress out the liver. Also avoid unnecessary medications.
How long can a person live with liver cancer?
Life expectancy with liver cancer depends on the stage, treatment, age of detection, and overall health. Early stage cancer which has not spread has a 5-year survival rate of 30-38% or higher (up to 70%-80%). Regional spread reduces it to 13% and metastasis to 3-5%
What are the leading causes of liver cancer?
Top causes of liver cancer chronic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) is the leading cause of liver cancer, which leads to liver damager and cirrhosis. Alcohol abuse, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or diabetes causes scar tissue growth and then cancer. Other causes include mould exposure in food, smoking, inherited conditions and certain chemicals.
What are the signs of liver cancer getting worse?
Signs of liver cancer getting worse include yellowing of skin or eyes due to jaundice, abdominal swelling or pain, extreme fatigue, and fluid build up. Other signs include weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and enlarged liver or spleen. Advanced signs include bleeding, bruising, itching, fever, confusion, etc. End-stage symptoms include delirium, shortness of breath, decreased urine output and cold extremities.
Who is at a high risk for liver cancer?
People at high risk for liver cancer include those with chronic hepatitis B or C infections, cirrhosis (from alcohol, NAFLD, or other causes), obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heavy alcohol use. Older adults (over 60), smokers, and individuals with family history or genetic liver diseases like hemochromatosis also face elevated risk. Men are more commonly affected than women.
What kills liver cancer?
Surgery can cure early-stage liver cancer. Ablation therapies (radiofrequency, microwave, ethanol injection, cryoablation) destroy small tumors directly, while embolization (TAE/TACE) starves larger ones of blood supply.
Systemic treatments including targeted drugs (sorafenib, lenvatinib, etc.), immunotherapy combos (atezolizumab+bevacizumab, etc.), radiation, and chemotherapy control advanced or metastatic disease.