Starchy Foods ‘May Be Linked To Fatty Liver’
Posted on Sep 22, 2007 | Comments 1
Starchy carbohydrates which are quickly digested are known to contribute to weight gain but doctors also believe they damage the liver in what is becoming a ‘silent epidemic’.
It is now thought that a condition known as fatty liver is caused by high consumption of starchy refined carbohydrates which encourage the body to store energy as fat. Fatty liver can lead to hepatitis, liver failure and death.
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Fatty liver means build-up of fat in the liver cells. Fatty liver may lead to inflammation of the liver. Inflammation can cause scarring and hardening of the liver. When scarring becomes widespread, it is called cirrhosis.
Starchy foods or high glycemic foods such as white rice, white bread and breakfast cereals could be the link for fatty liver. High glycemic foods can elevate insulin and blood glucose, stimulate fat storage, exacerbate hyperactivity and reduce sports performance.
High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and diabetes are often associated with fatty liver. Therefore, there is a greater chance of developing hypertension, heart attack and stroke.
High glycemic foods:
High glycemic foods include sugar, glucose, honey, raisins, pineapple, banana, rice, cornflakes, muffins, millet, chips, doughnut, parsnips and dates.
Causes for fatty liver:
Eating starchy foods or high glycemic index foods builds up fat in the liver. When the liver does not process and break down fats as it should do normally, too much fat will accumulate.
In some people, fatty liver is developed by certain conditions such as diabetes, obesity, or high triglycerides. Malnutrition, alcohol abuse and rapid weight loss may also lead to fatty liver. Fatty liver can be diagnosed by blood test or it can be noticed by enlarged liver during routine checkup.
For preventing fatty liver, you have to lower the intake of starchy foods and high fat diets which include saturated fats. The exception is omega 3 fatty acid because it helps the liver process fats better and reduce the production of triglycerides. You should stick to simple and unprocessed foods.
Prefer low glycemic foods:
Low glycemic foods have less impact on blood glucose levels. people who eat low glycemic foods have low levels of total body fat. Low glycemic foods include vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.
Magnesium and antioxidants such as vitamin C and E have been shown to protect liver. You can get them from food sources such as green vegetables, pumpkin seeds, whole grains and citrus fruit.
Therefore, the best ways to reduce fatty liver are weight reduction, low fat diet, controlling diabetes and avoiding starchy foods.
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Posted in: DIET & NUTRITION • FITNESS NEWS
An endless number of people who were having obesity problems have benefited after they have started consuming foods that are on the low glycemic index food list. All the foods that release sugar in a slow and gradual manner into our bloodstream are given different index values in the low glycemic food group. But any food item that releases sugar quickly into the bloodstream will have a high glycemic index value.