Experts Now Warn Obesity Negatively Affects Liver Health in Kids

(Newswire.net — February 28, 2022) Orlando, FL — Obesity has been found to wreak havoc on various aspects of health. In a study, it has been particularly found detrimental to the well-being of the liver. 

This research was published in the Journal of Pediatrics. 

It is actually the first to demonstrate that weight gain may negatively affect liver health in kids as young as 8 years of age. The study has particularly shown that bigger waist circumference at the age of 3 increases the odds that by age 8, kids will have markers for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

According to Jennifer Woo Baidal, MD, MPH, with the rise in childhood obesity, we are seeing more kids with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in our pediatric weight management practice.

Baidal is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the lead author of the paper.

“Many parents know that obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions, but there is far less awareness that obesity, even in young children, can lead to serious liver disease,” she adds.

In the United States, NAFLD has been found to affect an estimated number of 80 million individuals. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease develops when too much fat accumulates in the liver and triggers inflammation, and this leads to liver damage. 

It is worth mentioning that while NAFLD doesn’t produce symptoms when it progresses it leads to cirrhosis of the liver. In some cases, it even results in liver cancer. One of the most common causes of the skyrocketing rates of NAFLD is a diet rich in junk food and sodas.

Multiple research studies have looked into the various ways in enhancing and protecting liver health. It is interesting to note that certain natural ingredients like milk thistle have been found by scientists to be helpful for liver health. 

The scientific community has been carrying out studies to learn more about milk thistle. Interestingly, this natural remedy has been particularly found useful for liver health, especially in fighting alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. 

Scientists suggest milk thistle has the ability to protect the liver from various threats and injuries.

In various human studies, intake of milk thistle has been linked with a decrease in the fat deposition as well as enhanced enzyme blood markers of liver damage.

Today, researchers continue to carry out studies to learn more about the therapeutic goodness of this natural remedy. It can be obtained through the use of formulas like Divine Bounty Milk Thistle, which is popularized widely by its high potency and purity (http://www.amazon.com/Milk-Thistle-Supplement-Standardized-Extract/dp/B01LWI4A51).