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Top 10 Sensational Food & Lifestyle Swaps to Boost Your Liver Health!

Monday, April 17th, 2023

If there’s anything that the past 2.5 years of living amid an unpredictable, energy-sapping, life-altering pandemic have taught us: it’s that there’s truly no greater wealth than securing one’s own health and safety, not only for ourselves, but also for our loved ones. Furthermore, hunkering down, shifting priorities, and doing our best to make wise lifestyle choices, in this era, may have also highlighted an essential truth: that healthy living is, indeed, a lifestyle­­ that works best by gradually incorporating health-forward and wellness-minded choices into our daily routines, until they become second nature. However, the burning question that many of us may have is: Where do we begin?

With this question in mind, the Al D. Rodriguez Liver Foundation offers our suggested ‘Top 10 Sensational Food & Lifestyle Swaps’ to boost your liver health in these insecure times, as well as to secure your mind, body, and soul, overall. As you may have read in ADRLF’s regular blog updates, our liver health is significantly impacted by our daily diet and activities – such as avoiding pro-inflammatory processed foods; monitoring alcohol intake; actively choosing beverages with benefits (including water!), and engaging in regular exercise. So, to champion self-care for World Hepatitis Day, let’s explore these bona fide ‘liver-forward’ food alternatives and lifestyle hacks that can help you reach your optimum wellness goals.

  1. Say NO to rise n’ shine inflammation! Switch-up those quick-to-grab, carb-based breakfast sammies & muffins! Upgrade with dazzling plant-based, whole food options—from savory avocado tartines to beautiful berry bowls—that your body will thank you for! https://bit.ly/3xbRcum
  2. Trick that sweet tooth! Swap refined sugar with tasty healthy natural sweeteners like stevia, honey, and maple syrup. Fun tip: For baking, try: dates, monk fruit, and bananas instead. https://bit.ly/3LDDVlv
  3. Get movin’ for a healthy liver! Workaholics: Swap out your old-school sedentary workstation; replace it with a dynamic upright standing desk! And stay active—even during your work day—by stretching, walking in place, taking virtual lunch break Pilates classes, and more! https://bit.ly/3zd6ws5
  4. No more 2 A.M. doom-scrolling! Disrupt your newsfeed addiction and nocturnal overwhelm—and insert vital nourishment from restorative sleep! Inside tip: Rest will even improve your vaccine efficiency. https://bit.ly/3aCSvNA
  5. Beware! Did you know some plastic food containers contain ‘forever chemicals’ that could harm your liver? Ditch those plastic to-go containers, and welcome them in ceramic food bowls, particularly when heating meals. https://bit.ly/3O86VEb
  6. Respectfully decline that risky (unregulated!) ‘tattoo party’ invite, and throw your own festive, plant-based ink, needle-free ‘henna shindig’. Take it outdoors for some COVID-19-safe fun with good friends, while drawing frolicking designs, and safeguarding your body from carcinogenic inks, as well as #hepatitis hazardous needles. https://bit.ly/3aqvuNC
  7. Get your grilling on, safely! Literally: Swap out those plates that held your marinated raw meats, and replace with clean dishes to serve your cooked food! Exchange your charcoal griller for a gas one!
  8. Unplug, guilt-free! Disconnect from those laptops, phones, and Zoom meetings—and prioritize some fun, liver-revitalizing activities like dance, tai chi, swimming, and yoga! https://bit.ly/2Y1nI3j
  9. Sip wisely! Trade out those feisty cocktails and artificially flavored sodas, and elevate your sips with luscious mocktails and thirst-quenching herbal teas. Bonus points: blend with a frozen banana, and a frosty smoothie appears! https://bit.ly/3x5bWG9
  10. Step aside, stressors! Been vaping to escape? Smoking to calm down? Reverse those anxiety-induced habits, and embrace your ‘covid era normal’ with unique restorative meditation practices! Try movement or gratitude meditation to help melt away the worry and stress. https://bit.ly/3Hw0N6a Been vaping to escape? Smoking to calm down? Reverse those anxiety-induced habits, and embrace your ‘covid era normal’ with unique restorative meditation practices!

ADRLF hopes these sensational swap ideas will inspire you to have a fun, safe, and liver-healthy summer! And as always—remember to Screen! Vaccinate! Don’t Hesitate!

ADRLF’s Top 5 Heavenly Holiday Recipe Blogs

Saturday, December 24th, 2022

During this jam-packed holiday season, consider disrupting your exhausting hectic schedule, with the sacred act of nourishing yourself and your loved ones, by whipping up some festive foodie favorites; namely, several health-conscious recipes that ADRLF has affectionately collected over the years. From mouth-watering mocktails, to delectable mains, to dazzling desserts — these festive options all feature healthy, liver-friendly ingredients that not only help you to protect your exposed liver from invading toxins, but also support it by boosting its key functions, to ensure a healthier, merrier YOU. 

Christmas! Hannukah! Kwanzaa! Solstice! Festivus! Just being alive! No matter what brings you cheer over this complicated time of year: Enjoy these recipes! … And from all of us at ADRLF, best wishes for a JOYFUL, BRIGHT, and HEALTHY yuletide season!!! Celebrate safely and mindfully! ¡Felices Fiestas!

Add a Non-traditional Twist to Your Holiday Feast!

ADRLF has put together this exciting selection of delicious, nontraditional holiday recipes with liver-friendly ingredients—including vitamin A-rich plantains, sweet potato, blueberries, and apples—that help protect the liver cells, reduce fat buildup in the liver, and ensure the liver’s overall function.  

Liver-friendly Berry Holiday Recipes

Take advantage of the excellent flavor and nutritional value of berries, and create a sumptuous and liver-healthy feast that your loved ones will, surely, thank you for—and may even request doubles! Typically, low in calories and — and notably high in antioxidants — berries are tasty superfoods that can be your liver’s best friend.

Liver-Healthy Quarantine Mocktails to Try this Winter

Whether you’re jones-ing for cozy winter drink options — without risking any hang-overs — or you’re looking to prepare elevated drinks for the entire family to enjoy, check out these decadent, non-alcoholic drinks that taste just as terrific as the boozy version and (as a great bonus!) have liver-healthy ingredients — such as antioxidant-rich chocolate, berries, ginger, and kombucha, to cite a few — making these perfectly safe to ‘be on repeat’ this winter.

Celebrate with Liver Liberating Holiday Recipes

For your holiday menu, consider using ingredients with antioxidants and methionine that have anti-inflammatory qualities that have various health benefits. These recipes feature liver-loving options and superfoods such as fish, legumes, quinoa, Brussel sprouts, and beets, and fruits that will help the liver process sugar, additives, and toxins that are commonly found in many holiday offerings.

Savory Cinnamon Recipes to Try

Did you know that this fragrant go-to spice has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties? Cinnamon also helps promote gut health and relieve any digestive discomfort. This holiday season, explore unique ways to experience cinnamon, beyond sweets and pastries (particularly if you’re watching your sugar!) — while keeping it tasty and liver-friendly!

      * * * * * *Last but not least, in these complicated times, as you gather with loved ones — particularly those who are vulnerable (yourself included!) — ADRLF reminds you, on multiple levels, to: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t Hesitate!

ADRLF’s Top 7 Thanksgiving Recipe Blogs for a Liver-Friendly Feast

Monday, November 21st, 2022

For some people, planning a Thanksgiving meal can be daunting, especially if several health concerns of various guests need to be considered. So wouldn’t it be thrilling to at least be able to rest assure your famished guests that their upcoming feast would not only be delicious, but also health-forward?  As we edge closer to celebrating this Thanksgiving, ADRLF is rounding up a master list of liver-friendly dishes that you’d want to consider featuring on your holiday menu—from appetizers to main dishes, drinks, and desserts!

At ADRLF, our goal is to advocate for liver health—which includes helping you prepare for a stress-free holiday season with these top Thanksgiving recipes that promote liver fitness. Revisit these recipes here:

Liver-Healthy Thanksgiving Feast IdeasCheck out these appetizing recipes for a healthy, scrumptious, easy-to-prep, and time-saving Thanksgiving meal!

Marvelous Liver-friendly Pies to Try this Fall SeasonFeaturing fresh takes on traditional fall pie recipes, these delicious pies — both savory and sweet — showcase main ingredients that are rich in antioxidants that help the liver metabolize free radicals and improve liver function.

Liver-Friendly Twists on Thanksgiving Stuffing! – Traditional Thanksgiving meals may not be too friendly to your liver, however these fiber-rich alternatives may just be the side dish and stuffing hacks that you need for an innovative healthier feast.

Liver-Healthy Fall Favorites: Tasty Root Vegetable & Squash Recipes! – Squash, gourds, and root crops are high in vitamin A, which supports the immune system and helps the body’s various organs, including the liver, to function properly. Consider these nutrient-rich Fall ingredients for your Thanksgiving spread!

Liver-Friendly Stews & SoupsThese savory, low-cholesterol stew and soup recipes include ingredients like broccoli that contain important phytonutrients including flavonoids, carotenoids, and sulforaphane, which aid the liver in breaking down chemicals, carcinogens, and other materials. These fitness forward recipes can give your liver some extra T.L.C. this Thanksgiving season!

Liver-friendly Berry Holiday RecipesLow in calories and sugar — and notably high in antioxidants — berries are tasty superfoods that can be your liver’s best friend. Try these berry-rich salads, entrees, and holiday drinks to complete your Thanksgiving menu!

Must-try Holiday Season Ginger-based DelightsWith its rich flavor and unique fragrance, ginger is known for various medical benefits—including its ability to inhibit liver inflammation. These unique ginger desserts and mocktails are sure to make for a memorable Thanksgiving banquet!

As we enter the festive holiday season, socializing and attending gatherings more so than in recent years, ADRLF encourages you to be mindful of one an another, with your personal and communal responsibilities — particularly for those vulnerable and immunocompromised. The pandemic may have been ‘declared over’, but covid still lingers with us, presenting serious health risks, especially as larger groups gather unmasked indoors. So, for optimum safety for all — before you’re welcomed indoors by an eager host, or decide greet your own keen guests this year — we urge you, for covid spread prevention, to echo our mantra for hepatitis: Screen. Vaccinate, Don’t Hesitate!

Have a Delicious Day of Thanks and Feasting from ADRLF!

Marvelous Liver-friendly Pies to Try this Fall Season

Monday, November 7th, 2022

Grappling with the fact that summer is indeed gone and the autumn chill is rapidly taking over? You are certainly not alone! However, saying goodbye to warm summer days also open means waking up to fall hues and flavors that bring so much comfort. Along with ADRLF’s commitment to promoting awareness and education on liver health is its commitment to helping you cope with the challenges of the fall season by sharing liver-friendly practices and recipes—particularly unique pie recipes that your entire family will enjoy this fall season! Featuring fresh takes on traditional fall pie recipes, these delicious pies showcase main ingredients that are rich in antioxidants that help the liver metabolize free radicals and improve liver function.

Prioritizing the vital role that one’s liver plays in one’s daily well-being may not be on top of our autumn ‘To-Do’ list, however as we at ADRLF always highlight: Self-care is vital year-round! The liver is such an important organ that is responsible for synthesizing and regulating chemical levels in the blood, removing toxins from the body’s blood supply, breaking down fats, and other critical functions.

So kickstart this fall season, ensure your self-care — and check out these alluring liver-friendly pie recipes. And while you’re at it, we encourage you to review your vaccine records and consider getting your flu shot and hepatitis vaccines. Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate!

Now back to our featured stars…

SWEET PIE RECIPES

Spiced Eggnog Pumpkin Pie (from www.tasteofhome.com)  

Ingredients:

Dough for single-crust pie

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin

1-1/4 cups eggnog

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle, then transfer it to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim the crust to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the plate and flute the edge.
  2. Place the remaining ingredients in a large bowl; beat just until smooth. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Reduce oven setting to 350° F and bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes longer. Cover the edge loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes if needed to prevent over-browning. Remove foil and cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.

Paleo Apple Pie Snickerdoodle Skillet Cookie (www.paleorunningmomma.com)

Ingredients:

1 egg

3/4 cup creamy almond butter

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

1/3 cup organic coconut palm sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 cup blanched almond flour

1 tbsp coconut flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tbsp apple pie spice

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

For the apple pie topping:

2 med/large apples peeled and cubed

1 tbsp organic coconut oil

2 tbsp almond or coconut milk or dairy-free milk of choice – I used this

1 tbsp + 1 tsp organic coconut palm sugar

1-1/2 tsp apple pie spice

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8-inch oven-proof skillet with coconut oil.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, almond butter, 1 tbsp coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
  3. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet and mix until smooth and fully combined. Transfer the mixture to the greased skillet, scraping the bowl to get every drop.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the center is just set. Allow the skillet to sit stovetop for a bit while the apples finish.

For the apple pie topping:

  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over med heat and add the one tbsp coconut oil. Add the cubed apples to the skillet and cook, stirring until they soften.
  2. Add the coconut sugar, dairy-free milk, and apple pie spice and stir to completely coat. Continue to cook, adjusting the heat if necessary to avoid the sugar from burning.
  3. Once soft and browned, add the lemon juice and stir to coat, then cook for another minute over low heat. You can taste the apples to decide if they have the right level of sweetness to suit your taste, and add a bit of coconut sugar or lemon juice to adjust the flavor.
  4. Remove from heat and allow the apple pie topping to cool a bit before spooning over the skillet cookie. Slice and serve warm with a scoop of coconut milk ice cream and chopped pecans if desired.

Sweet Potato Coconut Pie with Marshmallow Meringue (www.tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

6 tablespoons cold butter

2 tablespoons shortening

3 to 4 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

1 cup coconut milk

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

2 cups mashed sweet potatoes

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Meringue:

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

4 large egg whites, room temperature

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme

Miniature marshmallows and sweetened shredded coconut, optional

Instructions:

  1. In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and ginger; cover and pulse to blend. Add butter and shortening; cover and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. While processing, gradually add water just until moist crumbs form. Shape into a disk; wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
  3. Preheat oven to 425°F. Roll out pastry to fit a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Transfer to a pie plate. Trim the crust to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the plate, then flute or press the edge. Refrigerate until ready to fill.
  4. For the filling, in a small saucepan, combine the coconut milk, brown sugar, and cream cheese. Cook and stir until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the sweet potatoes, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Pour into crust.
  5. Bake on a lower oven rack for 10-15 minutes. Reduce oven setting to 325°; bake until set, 40-50 minutes. Cover the edge with foil if necessary during the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before topping with meringue.
  6. For meringue, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; using a pastry brush dipped in water, wash down the sides of the pan to eliminate sugar crystals. When the mixture comes to a boil, stop brushing. Cook without stirring until a thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage).
  7. As the sugar mixture cooks, preheat the broiler. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form. While beating, gradually drizzle hot sugar mixture over egg whites; continue beating until stiff glossy peaks form.
  8. Place marshmallow creme in a separate large bowl; fold in a third of the egg white mixture, then fold in the remaining mixture. If necessary, beat again until stiff glossy peaks form.
  9. Spread meringue over pie; broil 4-6 in. from heat until slightly browned, 1-2 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

SAVORY PIE RECIPES

Leek and ham soup pot pies (from www.delicious.com.au)

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

large leeks (white and pale green parts only), finely sliced

450g potatoes, cut into 1cm dice

1 smoked ham hock (about 800g)

2 liters of chicken stock (ideally homemade; otherwise use salt-reduced)

1 small handful of thyme

2 fresh bay leaves

Plain flour, for dusting

375g frozen butter puff pastry, thawed, plus more if required

80g cheddar, coarsely grated

1 egg, whisked

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add leek and cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add potato, ham hock, stock, thyme, and bay leaves and bring to a boil, skimming off impurities that rise to the surface. Reduce heat to low, cover, and gently simmer for 1½ hours until the meat falls easily from the bone.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the pastry lids. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using the rim of a 650ml soup bowl as a guide, cut out 4 squares of pastry 3cm wider than the rim. Cut a 2cm round from the center of each square and discard (or save for another use). Place pastry squares between sheets of baking paper, transfer to a plate, and refrigerate until required. Preheat oven to 390°F.
  3. Remove hock and herbs from soup and, when cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding skin, fat, and bone. Return meat to soup and season with pepper (it probably won’t need salt – the hock and stock should be salty enough). Allow the soup to cool for 30 minutes.
  4. Divide soup among four 650ml ovenproof soup bowls, filling only to three-quarters, and sprinkle with cheese. Brush the egg around the rim of each bowl and drape a pastry square over the top. Press the pastry to the side of the bowl and brush with more egg wash. Place the soup pots on a baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and cooked through.

Butternut Squash, Caramelized Onion and Feta Pie (from http://everydaypie.com/)

Ingredients:

9″ Spelt Pie Crust or Butter Pie Crust or Gluten-Free Crust

1 tablespoon olive oil

2.5 cups (about 20 ounces) of butternut squash, diced into 1/4-inch pieces

1 cup caramelized onions

2 eggs

3/4 cup half and half (or sub in ½ milk and ½ cream)

2 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/2 cup feta cheese

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

2 green onions, sliced thin

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Roast squash: Place diced butternut squash on a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper, and toss to evenly coat. Roast in the oven, tossing halfway through for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
  3. If you haven’t done so already, caramelize the onions now. Check out this post for the recipe.
  4. Prepare pastry: Roll out your pie pastry into an 11-inch circle. Place the pastry inside a 9-inch pie pan and prick the bottoms and side with a fork to help steam escape. Crimp or decorate the edges as desired. Line the pastry with a parchment round piece of paper and then add pie weights (or dry rice or beans or lentils). Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven and remove the parchment and pie weights. Return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
  5. Make the filling: In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until completely combined. Then fold in the feta, thyme leaves, green onions, 1 cup of caramelized onions, and butternut squash.
  6. Turn the oven temperature down to 375.
  7. Bake pie: Pour filling into the par-baked pastry and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the eggs are set throughout the pie. Cover the pie crust edges with aluminum foil if they are browning too quickly.
  8. Let the pie cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.

Mushroom Asparagus Quiche (www.thekitchenmagpie.com)

Ingredients:

1 pre-made pie shell

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups of cream

1 cup of swiss cheese

1 cup of mozzarella cheese

2 cups asparagus

1 cup mushrooms

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 clove of garlic

1/2 cup diced onion

Instructions:

  1. Preheat over to 350°F.
  2. Take the olive oil and roast the veggies in the oven for 5-10 minutes. This prevents the quiche from getting soggy.
  3. Whip the eggs and cream together.
  4. Something else to try: brushing the pie shell with egg white, then baking it for 5 minutes.
  5. The pie shell did shrink a bit, but it was not the least bit soggy in the end. It helps to keep the egg and milk from soaking in.
  6. Take your veggies and place them in the shell.
  7. Sprinkle the cheese over the top, then pour the cream/egg mixture. You may or may not have egg mixture left, depending on how much the vegetables shrank.
  8. Bake at 350 until cooked in the middle, all golden and crispy.

Hepatitis C Drug Shows Promise to Treat PTSD

Monday, September 19th, 2022

In the United States, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 6 out of every 100 people — a notable  6% of the population that suffer from serious mental conditions, including depression, severe anxiety, nightmare, mood disorders, and suicidal ideations when their traumas are triggered. PTSD is particularly more common among military members and veterans, with over 10 percent of patients at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reporting to have PTSD symptoms.

Despite the high prevalence of this chronic condition, only two medications have been approved by the U.S.  FDA for PTSD treatment — sertraline and paroxetine — although these have been shown to have limited effects in improving PTSD symptoms. A hepatitis drug, however, may have a unique potential to reduce PTSD symptoms. A new study found that the hepatitis medication combination of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir is strongly associated with PTSD symptom improvement.

“Many people have PTSD, but there are a few effective pharmacologic treatments and limited drug development for PTSD,” said co-principal investigator and study senior author Jaimie Gradus, associate professor of epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). “Existing effective treatments are mostly psychotherapy, and while they work well, there are also issues with them, including a lot of treatment drop-out and they’re time-intensive, so adding to the suite of treatment options for people is a high priority.”

This study is a joint effort by researchers BUSPH and the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center, who started a quest two years ago to see if existing medications could be used to help patients with PTSD. Surprisingly, they found that several new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications for hepatitis C showed promise in improving PTSD symptoms. They conducted a more rigorous follow-up study to compare and analyze the effectiveness of these DAAs in PTSD symptom improvement in patients without hepatitis C.

“There really has been a lot of interest in finding new medications for PTSD in the field,” says co-principal investigator Brian Shiner, a psychiatrist and acting associate chief of staff for research at the White River Junction VA Medical Center, as well as associate professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth University’s Geisel School of Medicine ativan

The participants received one combination of FDA-approved hepatitis C medications: glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB), ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF), or sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (SOF/VEL). After adjusting for variables that could potentially influence results — such as having a particular liver disease or a history of opioid use — the team found that the GLE/PIB combination had the strongest results.

“The level of improvement we see for GLE/PIB is impressive and over twice what we have seen for paroxetine and sertraline,” Gradus noted. ambien

This study shows the unlimited potential of collaboration and creative clinical inquiry in finding new solutions to critical healthcare concerns. ADRLF wholeheartedly supports efforts to advance treatment not only of liver diseases but other conditions that adversely impact the quality of life in our respective communities — especially those that are underserved. And with that, please remember to heed our golden self-care mantra: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate.

To learn more about this study, read it here.

To know more about hepatitis C prevention and treatment, visit our blog.

New CDC Report Reveals Alarming Undertreatment of Hepatitis C

Monday, August 29th, 2022

               A new report from the CDC shows that while over 95% of people infected with hepatitis C can be cured with a simple course of antivirals, over 2 million U.S. adults are still living with the virus — and many are getting no treatment. This is primarily due to the hindrances that insurance companies place on patients trying to get coverage for hepatitis C treatment.

               The key report finding shows that the overall treatment rates are low and vary by age and insurance payor. Depending on the medication, treatment for hepatitis C can cost up to $90,000 per full course of treatment. Insurance companies may help but they put barriers and hurdles in the way of doing so. For example, 38 states require the insurance provider’s prior authorization for a certain medication before it can be covered. Also, 19 states have substance abuse restrictions, making patients refrain from using drugs or alcohol for some time before treatment; and 12 states have prescriber restrictions.  

Hepatitis C patients are often recommended to take direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, which cures over 95% of cases. The study found that DAA treatment is lowest among young adults aged between 18 and 29 years old, as well as for Medicaid recipients. Among those who use Medicaid, patients who identified as being Black, or of other BIPOC origins, and those living in states with treatment restrictions had the lowest rates of treatment.

“Our study shows that there are large gaps in hepatitis C treatments persisting nearly a decade after a highly effective curative treatment was approved,” said Dr. Carolyn Wester, director of the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis. She explained that these restrictions may be particularly harmful to racial and ethnic minorities. Hepatitis C is commonly spread through injection drug use, and imposing restrictions on treatment allows the virus to run unchecked in this community. According to the CDC, cases of hepatitis C have significantly jumped as the opioid epidemic worsens — going from 2,700 infections in 2011 to an exponential 57,500 infections in 2019. Buy Lorazepam

The CDC recommends that everyone get tested for the virus at least once in their lifetime, while people with ongoing risk factors receive periodic testing. “If we don’t treat people and meet them where they’re at… they’re going to enter the health system later on with an advanced liver disease, cancer, or death,” Wester said. “We simply can’t afford to not treat people.” cheap phentermine

While the report findings are discouraging in the face of hepatitis healthcare, recognizing issues and disparities impacting treatment access is an important first step to addressing these gaps and making hepatitis treatment more accessible to those who need it. As ADRLF encourages you to SCREEN. VACCINATE. DON’T HESITATE!… we also urge you to actively explore treatment options and programs to get the crucial life-saving treatment you deserve!

To see the results of this CDC report, click here.

To learn more about hepatitis risks and treatment, visit our blog.

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Women’s Health Update on Liver Cancer Risk and Sugary Drinks

Tuesday, July 5th, 2022

Consuming sugary drinks has previously been linked to developing cardiovascular and heart diseases. However, it’s critical to be aware that the threat has expanded to yet another hardworking organ.

Photo credit: Freepik/toptnp26

The health risks of consuming sugary drinks are well known — and for some people, avoiding these may not be very easy. Who can say no to a refreshing, sweet, fizzy drink to cool off in the summer heat? But new research enlightens us about precautions that we all must take to ensure that we — women in particular — do not consume sugary drinks, regularly. A multi-center study has found that drinking just one sugary drink a day can increase a woman’s chance of developing liver cancer.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in June 2022, was conducted by a team of researchers from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of South Carolina.  They collected data from participants of the Women’s Health Initiative observational study, which is a continuing national health study on women’s health sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Long-term survey data from 90,504 postmenopausal women, ages 50-79, were analyzed for the frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) SSB intake, which was defined as the sum of soft drinks and fruit drinks. Participants were also given a questionnaire about the presence of liver cancer, which was also confirmed by reviewing their medical records.

The study found that women who had one sugary drink a day were 73% more likely to develop liver cancer than women who had three or fewer such drinks in a month. Those who had one or more SSBs a day had a 78% higher risk.

“If our findings are confirmed, reducing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption might serve as a public health strategy to reduce liver cancer burden,” said Longgang Zhao, the lead author of the study and doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina, in a press release. “Replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water, and non-sugar-sweetened coffee, or tea could significantly lower liver cancer risk.”

Liver cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In the United States as of early 2022, the American Cancer Society reports that the incidence rates of liver cancer have more than tripled and the death rates have more than doubled since 1980. U.S. consumption of sugary drinks such as soft drinks remains high — estimated at 38.87 gallons per person in 2018.

So this summer, think twice when reaching for that refreshing sugary drink and consider healthier options with natural sugars such as fresh fruit concoctions, low-sugar drinks, and that classic tall cold glass of water, instead. And to fully enjoy the summer season without stressing about your liver, be sure to Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate!

Check out these healthy summer smoothie ideas

For other liver-healthy summer wellness and diet tips, check out our top 10 suggestions

To learn more about liver health, visit our blog

Groundbreaking World-first Liver Transplant Update

Thursday, June 9th, 2022

Medical technology has made giant strides in liver healthcare with a remarkable milestone: a multidisciplinary team of experts from Liver4Life in Zurich succeeded in a world’s first — namely, the treatment of an injured human liver for three days outside of its originating body; followed by the transplantation of the recovered liver into a cancer patient. A year after the liver’s transplant into its new host, Liver4Life reports that the patient is doing well.

Liver4Life was launched in 2015, bringing together a highly specialized team of medical professionals, biologists, and engineers who developed a perfusion machine, which made it possible to implant a human organ into a patient — even after the organ is stored outside a body for three days. Conventional technology allows the storage of human organs for up to 12 hours only. This new perfusion machine, however, extends storage time much longer with its advanced features that accurately mimic the human body, thereby providing ideal conditions for the human liver to thrive. It has a pump that functions as the human heart, an oxygenator that replaces the lungs, and a dialysis unit that functions as the kidneys. It also infuses various hormones and nutrients to mimic the work of the intestines and the pancreas. The perfusion machine also moves the liver to the rhythm of human breathing, mimicking the movement of the diaphragm.

In 2021, Liver4Life demonstrated the full capability of the perfusion machine with its first attempt to treat and store a human liver outside of a human body. The liver they tested had suffered from injuries and was not approved for transplantation due to its poor quality. Using the perfusion machine, however, the team at Zurich prepared the liver for three days using various drugs and hormonal therapies to repair damaged tissues. The treated liver was then transplanted into a cancer patient who was on a liver transplant waiting list and had consented to receive the treated human liver that, prior, had been compromised. Over a year after the transplant, the patient is healthy and happy with this new lease on life.

“Our therapy shows that by treating livers in the perfusion machine, it is possible to alleviate the lack of functioning human organs, and [therefore] save lives,” explains Prof. Pierre-Alain Clavien, the Director of the Department of Visceral Surgery and Transplantation at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ). Prof. Mark Tibbitt, Professor of Macromolecular Engineering at ETH Zurich, adds: “The interdisciplinary approach to solving complex biomedical challenges embodied in this project is the future of medicine. This will allow us to use new findings even more quickly for treating patients.”

As of 2021, over 9,236 hopeful-recipients have been on the liver transplant waiting list in the United States. Unfortunately, the number of people waiting for a liver transplant greatly exceeds the number of available deceased-donor livers. Living-donor liver transplant is possible, but it comes with a lot of risks that may further complicate the existing liver damage. This promising new technology offers hope for many who are relying on a liver transplant to live.

As for Liver4Life, the next step is to review the procedure on other patients, and to conduct a multi-center study to investigate its efficacy and safety. The team is also developing the next generation of machines, while simultaneously looking into ways of treating other liver diseases outside the body, with drugs, molecules, or hormones.

As we salute these experts and their impressive advances in creating groundbreaking life-changing technology, let’s be sure to do our part in practicing self-care and learning more about liver health. Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t Hesitate.

Read more about this study here

To learn more about liver diseases and treatment, visit our blog

Common Substance in Everyday Goods Linked to Increased Liver Disease Risk

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (or PFAS)—chemicals commonly found in consumer and industrial products, including  non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fast-food wrappers, and others—may increase the risk of liver injury, finds a new study. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine-University of Southern California conducted a pioneering study on PFAS and found that exposure to this group of chemicals may increase one’s risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD].

PFAS are also dubbed as “forever chemicals” because these substances are slow to break down, both in the environment and the body. PFAS have a chemical structure that is similar to fatty acids. Therefore, when a person is exposed to these highly common substances, in their day to day lives, their body ‘reads’ this chemical intake as if it is consuming a lot of fat; thus impacting the liver.

They are used as popular additives in manufacturing various materials, such as takeout containers, because of their waterproof, stain-resistant, properties. However, once exposed to this substance, it’s difficult to get rid of PFAS. Moreover, they tend to accumulate over time in the environment, as well as in human tissue, particulary in the liver. PFAS were first detected in the blood of people exposed to these chemicals in the workplace in the 1970s. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to an elevated risk of some cancers, low birth weight, and immune dysfunction.

“PFAS are ubiquitous, and we know that all adults in the United States have detectable levels of PFAS in their bodies,” explained said Leda Chatzi, MD, PhD, professor of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in a press release. “There is growing interest in the long-term health effects of PFAS exposure, and this study supports that there is evidence that PFAS are associated with liver injury.” 

A connection between PFAS and liver damage has been suspected for years, but a large-scale review is needed to determine this link, explained Elizabeth Costello, MPH, PhD, one of the study’s lead authors.

This groundbreaking study is a first-in-class systematic review of data on PFAS exposure and damage to the liver, synthesizing the results of 111 peer-reviewed studies involving both humans and rodents. The researchers found that three well-known PFAS are connected to higher levels of an enzyme that indicates liver damage. These PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). These three are the most studied PFAS to date.

“There is enough evidence, we believe, to demonstrate a need to clean up sources of exposure to PFAS and to prevent future exposures,” explained Costello.

Additional studies on human subjects are needed to confirm this link and understand how PFAS contribute to hepatotoxicity and liver injury; however, the findings of this study already stress the importance of evaluating environmental health and our physical health.

As we wish these valiant researchers all the best in their complex feat, ADRLF urges you to do what you can to protect your liver health: Access free and widely available medically credible resources to read up on liver health care! Consider a liver-friendly lifestyle. And of course, we remind you to: Screen. Vaccinate. Don’t hesitate.

To read more about this study, click here.

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Outbreak Alert: Recognizing An Alarming Mysterious Liver Disease in Children

Tuesday, May 10th, 2022

What’s going on with an alarming trend in which youth liver fitness is not to be assumed — but in fact, is in question? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently investigating cases of severe and unexplained hepatitis in children across the United States. While the cause of this condition remains unclear, what’s becoming more clear is that these cases may be linked to a worldwide outbreak, noting similar cases of unexplained hepatitis in children in England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Most of the children were healthy but developed symptoms common to hepatitis that included yellowing of their skin and eyes or jaundice, fatigue, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal issues, dark urine, and belly pain, among disturbing indicators. About 90% of the children had to be hospitalized. The severe liver inflammation was found to be unusual, as liver failure in children is generally considered rare. As of May 6, 2022, 14% of these reported patients in the U.S. need transplants, and five children have died.

On April 21, the CDC published a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory alerting clinicians to a cluster of unusual cases of hepatitis in 9 children in Alabama. Some reported cases go back to October 2021, and the CDC had asked doctors and public health officials to notify the agency if similar conditions, including unexplained elevation in liver enzymes, are seen in children under 10 years old.

The initial investigation found pediatric hepatitis and adenovirus infection in these children.  However, the CDC’s deputy director of infectious diseases, Dr. Jay Butler, noted that not all of the hepatitis cases they are currently studying may be caused by the same thing.

Hepatitis infection — or inflammation of the liver — is complex; there are different types and causes. Viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, is highly contagious but typically causes mild illness. Hepatitis virus B and C can lead to serious complications, including liver failure and liver cancer. Other non-viral forms of hepatitis include autoimmune hepatitis, wherein the immune system attacks the liver, and alcoholic hepatitis, which occurs in those who drink excessive amounts of alcohol for a long period.

In evaluating the hepatitis cases of these children, the common causes of viral hepatitis have been considered, but they were not found in any of the cases. Adenovirus was been detected in over 50% of cases, but its role is still not clear. Adenoviruses are common and typically cause respiratory illness, cold-like and gastrointestinal symptoms — and in rare circumstances, neurological disease. Furthermore, Adenovirus infections have no specific treatment.

As of early May, over 228 pediatric cases have been linked to this mysterious liver illness. In the U.S. alone, cases have been reported in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

More research continues to test new theories and uncover unusual revelations about a youth trend that doctors and concerned families are hoping will decline; at the very least, hope will become more transparent — in terms of its causes — and therefore, through medical intervetions, will become manageable to treat.

As children aren’t often their own best health advocates, ADRLF wants to raise awareness by encouraging familes and educators to be mindful of observing hepatitis symptoms of potentially vulnerable youth, who are in their various circles.

To read the CDC’s Health Advisory Alert on this mysterious illness, click here

To learn more about hepatitis, visit our blog