High-sugar, high-fat western diets linked to liver disease, study finds

Credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels

A new study has found that diets high in fat and sugar can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is the leading cause of chronic liver disease.

The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Missouri, has shed light on the link between western diets and the development of this disease.

The gut and liver are closely connected, and unhealthy diets can alter the gut microbiota, leading to the production of pathogenic factors that affect the liver.

To examine this, the researchers fed mice foods high in fat and sugar and discovered that they developed a gut bacteria called Blautia producta and a lipid that caused liver inflammation and fibrosis.

This, in turn, caused the mice to develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or fatty liver disease, with similar features to the human disease.

The team says that fatty liver disease is becoming a global health epidemic. It is not only becoming the leading cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis, but many patients with other cancers also have fatty liver disease and may not even know it.

This can make it impossible for them to undergo potentially curative surgery for their other cancers.

As part of the study, the researchers tested treating the mice with an antibiotic cocktail administered via drinking water.

They found that the antibiotic treatment reduced liver inflammation and lipid accumulation, resulting in a reduction in fatty liver disease.

These results suggest that antibiotic-induced changes in the gut microbiota can suppress inflammatory responses and liver fibrosis.

The team says that we are just beginning to understand how food and gut microbiota interact to produce metabolites that contribute to the development of liver disease.

However, the specific bacteria and metabolites, as well as the underlying mechanisms, were not well understood until now. This research is unlocking the how and why.

This study is important because it advances our understanding of the gut-liver axis and how diet and microbes can contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

It also suggests that antibiotic-induced changes in the gut microbiota may be a potential therapeutic intervention for this global health threat.

In conclusion, diets high in fat and sugar can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is becoming a global health epidemic.

The gut and liver are closely connected, and unhealthy diets can alter the gut microbiota, leading to the production of pathogenic factors that affect the liver.

Antibiotic-induced changes in the gut microbiota may be a potential therapeutic intervention for this disease.

This research is important because it advances our understanding of the gut-liver axis and how diet and microbes can contribute to the development of liver disease.

The liver is a vital organ that plays a crucial role in our overall health. It helps to process nutrients, eliminate toxins and waste products, and produce bile to aid in digestion.

Here are some tips on how to protect your liver health:

Maintain a healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help protect your liver health.

Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated and trans fats, which can increase your risk of liver disease.

Drink alcohol in moderation: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis. If you choose to drink, limit your intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help improve liver function and reduce the risk of liver disease. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of liver disease. Try to maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise.

If you care about liver health, please read studies about the cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and this drug for addiction may help treat alcohol-related liver disease.

For more information about liver health, please see recent studies about how to fight against fatty liver, and results showing this natural compound in vegetables can protect your liver health.

The study was conducted by Professor Kevin Staveley-O’Carroll et al and published in Nature Communications.

Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.