Health
Is Your Type 2 Diabetes
Affecting Your Liver Health?
ESSENTIAL Naples
By Denise A. Pancyrz
WINTER 2022
44 “High toxin exposure can burden the liver, causing it to struggle and reducing optimal functionality— this is sometimes referred to as a sluggish liver.” —Denise A. Pancyrz
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our liver is a very busy organ, performing more than 500 functions: It makes blood proteins that aid in clotting, transports oxygen, and supports the immune system; it manufactures bile to help digest food, breaks down saturated fat, produces cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body, helps the body store excess glucose, and makes and balances glucose as needed. The liver also rids the body of toxic substances in the bloodstream, such as drugs and alcohol. High toxin exposure can burden the liver, causing it to struggle and reducing optimal functionality—this is sometimes referred to as a sluggish liver.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Liver Health
How do you know if your liver is sluggish? Here are some things to watch out for if you’re concerned about liver health. • Symptoms such as fatigue or feeling tired • Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels • Dark circles under the eyes • Hormonal imbalances • Muscle or joint pain • Skin problems • Headaches • Mood swings • Brain fog Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. have some form of liver disease; the most common liver disorder today is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fatty liver disease is it exactly what it sounds like: extra fat in the liver that causes inflammation. Most patients with NAFLD are asymptomatic and are typically identified when abnormal liver results are noted on routine laboratory testing. In particular, the liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are elevated. However, these enzymes
may not be elevated in all cases of NAFLD. NAFLD is associated in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes; twice as many with type 2 diabetes are likely to suffer liver failure. As body fat increases, inflammation builds and lipid metabolism is altered, becoming unhealthy and ultimately leading to insulin resistance—the initial path to type 2 diabetes. There are a number of health issues to consider that can lead to liver disease: • Obesity • Insulin resistance • Type 2 diabetes • Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels • Unhealthy consumption level of alcohol • Rapid weight loss • Medication • Genetics Most of these factors are lifestyle driven. Diabetes patients should be on the watch for altered liver enzymes when prescribed certain medications, including anti-diabetes medications.
Choose the Right Foods
The primary way to improve or avoid liver disease is by reducing and stabilizing your glucose levels. The following steps can help: • Eat the right foods (quantity and quality):
It makes a difference where you get your fat, protein, and carbohydrates from and avoid overeating. Consider adding in the following on a regular basis: + Garlic + Onions + Avocado + Citrus (lemon/lime) + Beets + Carrots + Apples + Green tea
