The liver

The liver is the body's largest organ, weighing between 1 and 2 kilograms in most adults.

The liver routinely performs over 500 known functions to regulate your cell's metabolism.

It is the alchemical wizard of the body, transforming toxins into harmless chemicals for excretion, and digestively absorbed nutrients into the proper biochemical forms your cells can use to function.

The liver is therefore most assaulted by our toxic modern lifestyles, which is full of pollution, drugs, stress, fast foods, etc.

Fatty Liver (steatosis) Build-up of excess fat in the liver cells. Fatty liver disease damages the organ and

leads to serious complications such as cirrhosis.

Risk factors for fatty liver disease: overweight and obesity (Eating excess calories) diabetes elevated triglyceride levels. Alcohol abuse rapid weight loss malnutrition However, some people develop fatty liver even if they have

none of these conditions.

Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic fatty liver

Fatty liver may cause no damage, but Sometimes the excess fat leads to inflammation of the

liver. This condition, called steatohepatitis, does cause liver

damage. When inflammation from a fatty liver is linked to alcohol

abuse- alcoholic steatohepatitis. Otherwise, the condition is called non-alcoholic

steatohepatitis, or NASH. An inflamed liver may become scarred and hardened over

time- cirrhosis, is serious and often leads to liver failure. NASH is one of the top three leading causes of cirrhosis.

Normal vs Fatty liver

http://www.drcederquist.com/weight-loss-library/insulin-resistance/is-your-liver-gaining-weight.aspx

Metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease

Metabolic syndrome a cluster of disorders that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke plays an important role in the development of fatty liver.

Signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome include: obesity, particularly around the waist (abdominal

obesity) high blood pressure (hypertension) one or more abnormal cholesterol levels high levels

of triglycerides, a type of blood fat, or low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the goodcholesterol

resistance to insulin Of these, insulin resistance may be the most

important trigger of NASH. Because the condition can remain stable for many years, causing little harm, researchers have proposed that a second hit to the liver, such as a bacterial infection or hormonal abnormality, may lead to cirrhosis.

Treatment for fatty liverThere are no medical or surgical treatments for fatty liver, but

some steps may help prevent or reverse some of the damage.

lose weight safely. This usually means losing no more than half to one kilogram (one to two pounds) a week

lower your triglycerides through diet, medication or both avoid alcohol control your diabetes, if you have it eat a balanced, healthy diet increase your physical activity get regular check-ups from a doctor who specializes in liver

care.

Progression of liver disease

http://hepcbc.ca/stages-of-liver-disease/

Cirrhosis Cirrhosis is irreversible scarring of the

liver. Alcohol and viral hepatitis B and C are

common causes, although there are many other causes.

Cirrhosis can cause weakness, loss of appetite, easy bruising, yellowing of the skin (jaundice),itching, and fatigue. Complications of cirrhosis include edema and ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, bleeding from varices, hepaticencephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonarysyndrome, hypersplenism, and liver cancer. Transplantation of the liver is becoming an important option for treating patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Progession of liver disease

http://hepcbc.ca/stages-of-liver-disease/

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem -

woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with the menstrual cycle

and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes looks. Untreated, over time it can lead to serious

health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycysticovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.

Normal vs polycystic ovary

Symptoms of PCOS The cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but genetics may be a

factor. The most common symptoms are:

Acne. Weight gain and trouble losing weight.

Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back. Thinning hair on the scalp. Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine

periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.

Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).

Depression.

Modern Lifestyle and PCOS..

Around 40-60 percent of women with PCOS suffer from obesity- leads to diabetes, uterine cancer and high cholesterol.

Many develop insulin resistance, which leads to obesity and in turn results in hormonal imbalances and develops into PCOS.

Unlimited food supply and a modern sedentary lifestyle can trigger full-blown PCOS.

Hormonal imbalances in PCOS PCOS is usually a condition of estrogen dominance, meaning that estrogen tends to be

the dominant sex hormone all month, instead of letting progesterone rise for the second half of the month.

Progesterone doesnt just play a role in fertility. It also acts as an anti-anxiety agent, an antidepressant and a diuretic.

In PCOS, the eggs in the ovaries ripen on the surface of the ovary but are not released. They harden and form cysts (hence the name of the condition). To obtain optimal progesterone levels ovulation is essential, as the majority of

progesterone is made from the corpus luteum, the crater that remains on the surface of the ovary after ovulation. Yet this doesnt occur regularly for someone with PCOS.

Androgens, such as testosterone & DHEAThe androgens, of which testosterone is one, tend to be elevated in women with PCOS. high androgen levels in the ovary interfere with the maturation of eggs DHEA, another hormone also tends to be elevated in 50 percent of women with

PCOS. This elevated DHEA is usually produced in response to stress. The excess DHEA then converts to androgens which in turn contributes to the typical

elevated androgen levels seen in PCOS. Women develop hirsutism

Cortisol, the long term stress hormone imbalances

www.dentalarticles.com

http://www.csh.org.tw/dr.tcj/Tseng2013/html/education-pcod.html

The normal ovary

The polycystic ovary

humrep.oxfordjournals.org

Dietary modifications to treat PCOS

Avoiding sugary foods. The worst offenders are soft drinks, cookies, cakes, chocolate, sweets, and processed breakfast cereals.

Avoid foods containing unhealthy sugar compounds such as high-fructose corn syrup, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, isomalt, and glycerol.

Eating two servings of fruit daily- it's a much healthier "sweet" option. Increase the consumption of vegetables. Ideally you should consume five servings

of vegetables daily. Limit processed grain-based foods such as boxed breakfast cereals, white bread,

and pasta. Choose small amounts of whole grain alternatives. Fiber contributes to improved blood sugar control and healthy bowel function. Aim

to eat 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Protein helps balance your blood sugar and can help tame a sweet tooth. Fresh

fish, lean red meat, organic chicken, organic eggs, whole grains, and legumes are all good sources of protein.

The type of fat in your diet plays an important role in assisting with insulin reception at the cell level. Cold-water fish, organic eggs, avocadoes, extra virgin olive oil, and raw nuts and seeds are rich in essential fatty acids.

Ensure you eat regularly and choose healthy snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon to balance your blood sugar levels between meals. Fruit, nuts, seeds and natural yogurt all make healthy snacks.