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THE LIVER - A BAROMETER FOR 21ST CENTURY ILLS
Canada NewsWire
March 4, 2008 Tuesday 6:59 AM Eastern Time
Too much, too fast, too long or even too little - today we live a
life of extremes and it's taking a serious toll on our livers.
Whether it's too much unhealthy food, too little exercise, too many
medications or prolonged exposure to chemicals, the liver will often
suffer these assaults in silence but the long-term consequences are
leading to an increase in liver-related conditions like fatty liver
disease and liver cancer.
"The liver is a barometer for many of the ills of the 21st century,"
says Gary Fagan, Canadian Liver Foundation president, "but the good
news is that it is a very forgiving organ meaning that taking some
preventative measures or making better lifestyle choices can lead to
more positive outcomes. Few people realize the vital role the liver
plays in nurturing and protecting the body. The truth is that we all
make decisions everyday that can have positive or negative impacts
on our livers."
As part of its new LIVERight campaign, the Canadian Liver Foundation
is issuing a call to action to all Canadians to learn how to safeguard
their liver health in day-to-day life. The goal of LIVERight is to
raise awareness regarding some of the main factors that can affect
how our liver functions, including nutrition, exercise, environment,
immunization, medication management and risk management. This year,
as part of its Liver Health Month activities in March, the Foundation
will be putting the spotlight on the link between nutrition and
liver health.
"Fat induced liver disease has overtaken alcohol and viral infections
as the most common cause of liver disease in Europe and North America,"
says Dr. Kevork Peltekian, Canadian Liver Foundation Chairman and
the only full-time practicing hepatologist in the Maritimes. "If we
extrapolate data from the US, it's quite likely that unless we change
things now, in the next 20 or 30 years obesity will be the leading
cause of cirrhosis or irreversible scarring.
Fatty liver disease may also become the most common indication for
transplantation throughout North America." Fatty liver disease is
caused by a build-up of fat in the liver which can lead to inflammation
and eventually cirrhosis and sometimes even liver cancer. Excess
fat in the liver can also increase the risk of diabetes and other
health conditions.
More than 1 in 10 Canadians suffers from some form of liver or biliary
tract disease - and may not even be aware of it. There are over 100
causes of liver disease. Unfortunately, getting diagnosed or treated
is difficult because of the persistent stigmas and ignorance that
surround liver disease and the woefully inadequate medical resources
in this field. In Canada, hepatologists (liver specialists) are spread
very thin. Currently, liver patients outnumber hepatologists 25,000
to 1 with some patients having no access to a specialist within their
own province.
Through its LIVERight campaign, the Foundation wants to put liver
health on the radar of each and every Canadian. "Liver health needs to
be a priority for individuals, health care professionals, governments
and industry," says Dr. Peltekian. "Each of us has the opportunity to
take proactive steps in our daily routines to avoid risks and help the
liver do its job. Meanwhile, the medical community, governments and
industry need to work together to ensure there are sufficient resources
for patient care, research and prevention. Without definitive action,
the numbers may continue to move in the wrong direction."
For more information on LIVERight or the Canadian Liver Foundation's
Liver Health Month activities, visit www.liver.ca or contact your
local chapter.
Canada NewsWire
March 4, 2008 Tuesday 6:59 AM Eastern Time
Too much, too fast, too long or even too little - today we live a
life of extremes and it's taking a serious toll on our livers.
Whether it's too much unhealthy food, too little exercise, too many
medications or prolonged exposure to chemicals, the liver will often
suffer these assaults in silence but the long-term consequences are
leading to an increase in liver-related conditions like fatty liver
disease and liver cancer.
"The liver is a barometer for many of the ills of the 21st century,"
says Gary Fagan, Canadian Liver Foundation president, "but the good
news is that it is a very forgiving organ meaning that taking some
preventative measures or making better lifestyle choices can lead to
more positive outcomes. Few people realize the vital role the liver
plays in nurturing and protecting the body. The truth is that we all
make decisions everyday that can have positive or negative impacts
on our livers."
As part of its new LIVERight campaign, the Canadian Liver Foundation
is issuing a call to action to all Canadians to learn how to safeguard
their liver health in day-to-day life. The goal of LIVERight is to
raise awareness regarding some of the main factors that can affect
how our liver functions, including nutrition, exercise, environment,
immunization, medication management and risk management. This year,
as part of its Liver Health Month activities in March, the Foundation
will be putting the spotlight on the link between nutrition and
liver health.
"Fat induced liver disease has overtaken alcohol and viral infections
as the most common cause of liver disease in Europe and North America,"
says Dr. Kevork Peltekian, Canadian Liver Foundation Chairman and
the only full-time practicing hepatologist in the Maritimes. "If we
extrapolate data from the US, it's quite likely that unless we change
things now, in the next 20 or 30 years obesity will be the leading
cause of cirrhosis or irreversible scarring.
Fatty liver disease may also become the most common indication for
transplantation throughout North America." Fatty liver disease is
caused by a build-up of fat in the liver which can lead to inflammation
and eventually cirrhosis and sometimes even liver cancer. Excess
fat in the liver can also increase the risk of diabetes and other
health conditions.
More than 1 in 10 Canadians suffers from some form of liver or biliary
tract disease - and may not even be aware of it. There are over 100
causes of liver disease. Unfortunately, getting diagnosed or treated
is difficult because of the persistent stigmas and ignorance that
surround liver disease and the woefully inadequate medical resources
in this field. In Canada, hepatologists (liver specialists) are spread
very thin. Currently, liver patients outnumber hepatologists 25,000
to 1 with some patients having no access to a specialist within their
own province.
Through its LIVERight campaign, the Foundation wants to put liver
health on the radar of each and every Canadian. "Liver health needs to
be a priority for individuals, health care professionals, governments
and industry," says Dr. Peltekian. "Each of us has the opportunity to
take proactive steps in our daily routines to avoid risks and help the
liver do its job. Meanwhile, the medical community, governments and
industry need to work together to ensure there are sufficient resources
for patient care, research and prevention. Without definitive action,
the numbers may continue to move in the wrong direction."
For more information on LIVERight or the Canadian Liver Foundation's
Liver Health Month activities, visit www.liver.ca or contact your
local chapter.