Top 6 Ways In Which Obesity Can Harm You

Liver diseases refer to a range of abnormal conditions that negatively impact the liver. It is significant that the liver is an essential organ within the human body responsible for many critical functions, including detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile for digestion, and storing nutrients. Therefore, understanding the main causes of liver diseases and what aspects need to be considered to save your liver from malfunctioning is very important. Understanding causes will help you for early detection, prevention as well as management of your liver conditions effectively.

Causes of liver diseases:

Viral Infections:

Viral infections can refer to diseases caused by entering pathogenic viruses and virus particles into susceptible cells. 

• Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through contaminated food or waste or unhygienic areas. This virus causes liver inflammation and affects the ability of the liver to function. This infection presents symptoms which include abdominal pain, jaundice, loss of appetite, intense itching, and joint pain.
• Hepatitis B and C: The Hepatitis B & C virus is transmitted through blood or sexual contact. Sometimes transmission of these viruses can come from mother to child during the child's birth. This infection can lead to severe complications and long-term liver damage. Therefore, it is recommended to treat infection at an early stage and prevent the risk of liver cancer.

Alcohol Consumption

According to today’s scenario, it is observed that excessive alcohol consumption is the most common and leading cause of liver disease across the globe. Our liver has its role in breaking down potentially toxic substances which involves alcohol. Excessive drinking of alcohol can damage the liver and take the form of enhanced fat within the organ and lead to inflammation as well as accumulation of scar tissues. The diseases caused due to Alcohol consumption include Alcoholic fatty liver disease, Alcoholic Hepatitis, and Alcoholic cirrhosis. 

• Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Alcoholic fatty liver disease also known as hepatic steatosis is referred to as the early stage of liver damage due to alcohol consumption. This disease is characterized by accumulating a significant amount of fat within the liver cells. This disease is most common among heavy drinkers and it is remarked that about 90% of heavy drinkers experience this form of the condition. The most common symptoms of this disease include discomfort in the area of the liver, fatigue, and weight loss. Therefore, people who suffer from Alcoholic fatty liver disease or experience this kind of symptoms need to reduce their alcohol consumption as well as consult a functional nutritionist to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle which will help them to recover with flying colors.
• Alcoholic Hepatitis: Alcoholic Hepatitis is a liver disorder that involves inflammation and liver cell damage due to alcohol abuse.  According to the research, women are more likely to develop liver disease than men and it can also influence how your body processes alcohol. Some of the symptoms that stand out are fatigue, pain in the area of the liver, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• Alcoholic Cirrhosis: When a person consumes alcohol in excess amounts it leads to the formation of scar tissues known as fibrosis. If fibrosis occurs excessively it results in alcoholic cirrhosis. This disease can lead to severe health complications including kidney failure, liver cancer, portal hypertension, and many others.

Non-Alcoholic fatty liver diseases

Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases refer to abnormal conditions where an excess amount of fat is accumulated within the liver of people who consume less or no alcohol. 

• Obesity: Obesity is associated with a spectrum of liver uncertainties which is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which is associated with increased intrahepatic triglyceride content. According to the research, Non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases have become a significant public health problem due to the potential progression toward severe liver diseases that are associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic uncertainties. The inflammation in the liver is caused due to high blood sugar levels and high blood lipids which can cause increased fat storage in the liver. Learn more about the causes of obesity 

• When the body is more resistant towards insulin it can impact how the fats are processed by the liver which can further lead to fat buildup. The main reason for this dysfunction is excess body weight and insulin resistance. Also, people who have a decreased physical metabolism rate may lead to liver disorders. Therefore, it is recommended by doctors and nutritionists to have a proper balanced healthy diet and regularly exercise to reduce fat accumulation.

Medications and Toxins

• Medicines: Medications like paracetamol are usually used as pain relief and can harm the liver. Therefore it is very important to follow the recommended dosages and prevent exceeding those. In some cases, the medicines used for cancer, HIV and tuberculosis patients may have side effects that can cause harmful impacts on the liver. These medications can cause liver failure or other uncertain disorders. 
• Toxins: Environmental toxins are also one of the reasons for liver diseases. High exposure to pollutants and heavy metals such as lead and pesticides can cause stress on the liver and lead to misfunctioning. People working in industries where environmental toxins are released such as paints and solvents can also face liver damage issues. 

Therefore it is important to have a proper consultation with functional nutritionists who have proper knowledge about the dosage and medications that are good for your health.

Deep dive into Prevention and Management Strategies

Based on the information provided above that showcases the most common causes of liver diseases, here are the important recommended strategies that can be followed to prevent themselves from getting their liver trapped into jail. 

• Follow a healthy lifestyle: 

According to the latest research and studies, it has been found that a rich and balanced diet is proteins, seasonal fruits, vegetables and whole grains are the best sources of food that support liver function. A healthy lifestyle is a phenomenon where you make yourself as well as your body fit. To embark on your journey towards a healthy diet and lifestyle you need to limit inflammatory foods such as refined sugars and processed foods. Also, you need to exercise regularly which will help you to maintain a healthy weight as well as reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. Especially if you want your liver to live with you for a lifetime you have to say no to alcohol. To know more about the science behind nutrition you can catch up with our short course “Basics of Nutrition Science”.

• ⁠Vaccination:

Doctors recommend that getting vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B will potentially protect you against the viral infections that cause liver damage. 

• Conduct Regular health check-ups: 

Even though you feel your body is doing great, it is essential to have routine blood work/ blood tests that help in detecting risk factors like diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol at the early stage which can be cured by consulting the right person. Also if you are facing some issues with your health, always remember to keep a proper track and investigate the main cause of the issue which will help in resolving it sooner. We at iThrive offer Root cause analysis that unlocks the secrets of stubborn health and identifies the mysteries behind your health. 

• Medication safety:

Excessive medicines or environmental toxins need to be addressed. You have to follow the prescribed medications carefully and always consult the right person before you take any kind of medication. You should be cautious about the ingredients and always check whether it is authorised by the government. Also, while working in industries where you get in contact with toxins you need to follow precautions and always cover your mouth with a mask which will help to prevent harmful substances from getting into your body. 

Always remember a healthy liver will contribute to the overall well-being of your body. So, you have to think wisely and priorities your health to sustain your health and growth together. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance because not everyone’s health needs are similar. We at iThrive offer you personalised support based on your requirements, so you can book a consultation call with our expert functional nutritionists who will guide you towards your well-being.

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What does Autoimmune Disease mean?

The condition where your immune system starts attacking your own body is called an Autoimmune Disease. This disease occurs when your immune system does not work as it should.

Normally, your immune system protects your body by fighting against germs and other foreign particles. But in the case of autoimmune conditions, your immune system mistakes your body parts for foreign objects and starts attacking them. 

It may attack any part of your body. Be it a cell, tissue, joint or organ. The defective system can send its cells to attack the whole body or a single part of it. 

There is no conclusive reason why your body’s immune system short circuits. It can only be detected after it starts attacking your healthy body parts. 

There are more than 80 types of autoimmune conditions. Below are a few of the common conditions that people suffer from.

Types of Autoimmune Diseases And Their Symptoms:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition which results in joint pain, including those in the hands and feet. In this case, the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, confusing them for a foreign object. It causes damage, aches and a lack of strength in the affected joints. 

Symptoms include -

• Pain and Swelling in joints
• Stiffness after being inactive for long, especially in the mornings
• Warm and tender joints
• Fatigue

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2. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy thyroid cells resulting in damage to the thyroid gland. It results in thyroiditis, which is the leakage of excess thyroid hormone in the blood to the point that the thyroid gland no longer produces enough hormone. This leads to hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Disease. 

Symptoms are-

• Unexplainable weight gain
• Cold intolerance
• Hair loss
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Irregular periods

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3. Grave’s diseases

Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells, damaging the thyroid gland and making it overactive. It is a form of hyperthyroidism. 

Symptoms include- 

• Extreme tiredness
• Palpitations
• Anxiety
• Unexplainable weight loss
• Sleeping troubles
• Heat intolerance
• Sweating 
• Irritability
• Irregular periods

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4. Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus

In Type 1 Diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas and the body loses its ability to make insulin or barely produces any insulin. A person who has Type 1 Diabetes usually needs to take insulin injections on a daily basis. 

Symptoms include:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss, even upon eating well
• Increased hunger (especially after eating)
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Heavy, labored breathing 
• Frequent infections of your skin, urinary tract, or vagina
• Crankiness or mood swings

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5. Psoriasis

It is an autoimmune disease where new skin cells are formed at a faster rate. This causes scaling of the skin. The area surrounding the scales also becomes inflamed and red.

Symptoms include-

• Scaly, itchy and dry patches on the skin 

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5. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which loss of skin color and blotches occur because the body’s own immune system attacks the pigment producing cells in the body. White patches occur on the skin. 

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6. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)

IBD is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in the digestive tract, which cause inflammation. This disease manifests in two forms— Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease affects almost all of the gastrointestinal tract, mainly the colon and the last part of the small intestine (ileum). In ulcerative colitis, the lining of your colon, i.e. the large intestine, is disrupted. 

Symptoms are-

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stools

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7. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, also known as fibrositis, is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks muscles and nerves, which results in extensive muscle pain. 

Symptoms include- 

• Widespread tenderness
• Sleep problems
• Emotional and mental distress
• Fatigue
• Mood and memory issues

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8. Celiac Disease (CD)

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune cells produce an inflammatory reaction to gluten intake (present in wheat, rye and barley). This disease especially damages the small intestine lining and you see issues with absorption of nutrients as the first sign of celiac disease. 

Symptoms typically include- 

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Gas
• Fatigue
• Malabsorption of certain nutrients 

Celiac disease happens due to the consumption of foods containing gluten (even trace amounts) and genetics.

9. Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks natural killer cells (part of your WBCs). This impacts the ability of healthy cells to make energy, further resulting in extreme tiredness and fatigue both physically and mentally. 

Symptoms are-

• Pain 
• Sleep abnormalities
• Physical and mental fatigue 

And all these symptoms are made worse by exertion. Even rest is unable to improve the conditions. 

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CFS is often accompanied by Fibromyalgia.

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10. Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune cells attack the healthy hair follicles. This results in hair loss from some areas of your body, mostly the head (spot baldness).

Symptoms include-

• Patchy hair loss 
• Bald patches
• Brittle, red fingernails and toenails 

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11. Myasthenia gravis (MG)

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the neuromuscular junction and causes muscle weakness. The muscles under voluntary control are affected. Muscles under voluntary control mean muscles which can be voluntarily moved like your hand muscles.

Symptoms include-

• Weakness in arm and leg muscles
• Double vision
• Drooping eyelids
• Difficulties with speech and chewing 

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12. Lupus

Lupus, also known as Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which cells of the immune system attack almost all healthy cells, tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. 

Symptoms include-

• Muscle and joint pain
• Fever
• Rashes
• Chest pain
• Hair loss
• Sun or light sensitivity
• Kidney problems
• Mouth sores

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13. Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheath. Myelin sheath is a sheet covering or insulating layer around nerves that protect them from damage. This disease results in nerve damage and disrupted brain-body communication. 

Symptoms include-

• Vision loss
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Impaired coordination and blackouts
• Imbalance issues

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14. Guillain Barre Syndrome

Guillain Barre Syndrome is a rare, autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune cells attack the nerves causing weakness. Tingling in the hands and feet is the initial symptom and can lead to paralysis, sometimes with a fatal outcome. 

Symptoms are-

• Tingling sensations in hands, feet and other body parts
• Weakness starting from the legs and spreading upwards 
• Difficulty in climbing stairs 
• Labored facial movements

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15. Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare form of arthritis (inflammation of joints) in which the body’s immune system attacks the healthy spine and large joints. This causes reduced flexibility in the spine.

Symptoms are-  

• Forward hunch 
• Pain and stiffness in the ankle, heel, hip, joints, lower back, middle back, neck, or shoulder

What Causes Autoimmune Diseases?

There are multiple reasons that can cause autoimmune diseases. It is quite difficult to know the reason behind them. Getting your blood analyzed by a Functional Nutritionist is a great way of defining the reason behind your autoimmune condition. 

Knowing the root cause behind your disease can help you control and even reverse them. A few general causes for your autoimmune condition can be :

• Environmental toxins
• Infections 
• Diet high in processed foods
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Radiation exposure

The best way to reverse autoimmune conditions is to change your diet and lifestyle. After years of successfully treating clients with autoimmune conditions, Functional nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan swears that FOOD is the cure for almost all diseases.

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She noted, “One thing that works best for all autoimmune conditions is stopping all inflammatory foods. - gluten and more.” 

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This does not mean you will cure your condition just by eliminating inflammatory foods, but it is a start. 

To know what you can do to reverse your condition visit a Functional nutritionist now.

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It is not uncommon to see children far above their normal weight these days. Childhood obesity is on the rise at an alarming rate, and this is due to many different factors. 

Food is medicine, but it is also the most poorly utilized drug today. This article will explore how a foundation of unhealthy food habits laid down at a young age can cause childhood obesity and set children on a lifelong path of diseases. We will also cover ground on how establishing healthy lifestyle patterns and teaching your child to eat healthy by adopting the Functional Nutrition approach at an early age is simple yet crucial and life-changing.

Childhood obesity is one of the biggest challenges to public health in the 21st century. Although the definition of obesity has changed over the years, it can be defined as an excess of body fat. There is no specified Body Mass Index (BMI) cut-off to indicate excess fat percentage or obesity in children and adolescents as there is in adults because body fat differs according to age and gender in this demographic. 

However, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity in children as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex. For example, a 10-year-old boy of average height (56 inches) who weighs 102 pounds would have a BMI of 22.9 kg/m². This would place the boy in the 95th percentile for BMI, and he would be considered to have obesity. This means that the child’s BMI is greater than the BMI of 95% of 10-year-old boys in the reference population.⁽¹⁾

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity in India is becoming a serious problem, as India has the second-highest number of obese children globally. There are a lot of contributing factors behind this rampant rise in obesity rates in India and globally:

• Easy availability of unhealthy, calorie-dense foods at a low price has spiked childhood obesity rates worldwide. These foods also have zero to little nutritional value, lead to excessive weight gain, and accelerate the development of diseases in the body instead. 

• Lack of physical activity supported by societies structured on maximum technological involvement are also contributing factors to the childhood obesity pandemic. 

This century's children and adolescents have had a phone thrust into their hands almost as soon as they are born. This serves as a source of entertainment for them and is also a relief for the often overworked parents. However, if given a completely loose rein, tech-savviness can turn into an all-consuming dependency on tech – so much so that children even refuse to eat without their iPad or their favorite show playing.

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This creates a domino effect in multiple ways – Firstly, TV shows advertise all kinds of junk foods, sodas, fast foods, and many unhealthy things. They make eating burgers and drinking carbonated beverages look "cool". This is bad because there is a direct link between childhood obesity and advertisements. They program children to want these foods more and more by flashing the products at them repeatedly, increasing their consumption.

Secondly, being glued to the TV/ laptop/ iPad acts as a deterrent for children in pursuing physical exercise. Online content is designed to be addictive, discouraging children from leaving their screens and engaging in actual physical activity. It is no wonder that it is a rare sight to see children playing in parks these days.

The math is simple – Consuming more calories than one needs and finding no way to burn them leads to obesity. Therefore, children should be encouraged to limit their screen time and play outside, at least for a little while.

Thirdly, pop culture makes obese children look cool or what they call "fat kids". The "fat kid" is always the funniest, goofiest, and most liked. They are caricatured in a way to make being obese or overweight desirable, as it is considered "cute". In reality, there is nothing cute about being obese – it can lead to a host of health problems like high blood pressure, weak joints and heart diseases. Making childhood obesity look funny is extremely dangerous, and such portrayals must be stopped.

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• Another major cause of childhood obesity is prioritizing convenience over nutrition. As societies become more modern, urbanized and economically sound, they move away from traditional foods and go towards "easy to cook", ready in 5 minutes, "instant" foods. These foods have little nutritional value compared to natural, organic foods that our ancestors have been eating for generations and cause constant weight gain in children if consumed regularly.

• At the crux of all obesity, problems lies a person's relationship with food: if children are taught from a young age about healthy foods, the nourishment they provide to the body and how they are a better option in the face of all fast foods, they will latch on to these concepts and implement them every day for the rest of their lives. This is the easiest way to curb the childhood obesity pandemic.

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Risk factors of Childhood Obesity

39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020 and over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016. 

Obese kids are considered directly on the path to adult diseases like high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems.

Obese children are also at an increased risk of hypertension, weak joints, osteoarthritis, high triglycerides (the main component of body fat in humans), Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, psychological problems, pediatric metabolic syndrome, endocrine disorders and even some cancers. 

Childhood Obesity can also cause body image issues, low self-esteem, extreme social isolation, and in some cases, anxiety and depression.

Two out of three obese children remain obese as adults and are at risk for adult lifestyle diseases. ⁽²⁾

These are just some of the risk factors for obesity. Then, it is important to catch the symptoms early on in children and nip this problem in the bud.

How To Tackle Childhood Obesity?

Once a child is on the path of being overweight, it is a very slippery slope from there onwards. It is crucial to catch the problem early and save our future generations from a life full of diseases and complications.

Here are a few measures to prevent childhood obesity, which also work as excellent measures in managing childhood obesity 

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• Educate your children: help your child understand the basic concept and components of food- which foods are good for them, which foods will provide them with optimum nutrition and which foods will cause them harm, even if they are easily available.

•Encourage physical activity: Habituate your children into engaging in a sport or any physical activity of their choice for at least 30 minutes a day. Enlighten them on the benefits of regular movements all day long and discourage them from leading a sedentary life.

•Set a good example: Children emulate their parents in every way, so the best way to pass on good eating habits is to be a good role model. Plan your meals with your kids, teach them how to enjoy healthy foods, and teach them how to enjoy junk food sometimes. Demonising junk food only makes children want it more - so get a step ahead of unplanned binge eating sessions and have a designated “cheat meal” now and then. 

•Ditch the TV during mealtime: It is scientifically proven that people lose track of the amount of food they eat if they eat while watching TV. This also makes them feel less full on higher quantities of food. Make mealtimes a special family ritual in which no phones or TVs are allowed, and encourage your children to eat intuitively instead of quantitatively. This will provide you with some quality family time, it will also help the food nourish your body better.

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•Childhood Obesity Intervention Programmes: Kids spend most of their time in school with their teachers and peers, so it is important to include them in this process of battling childhood obesity. 

Awareness about childhood obesity and its ill effects should be raised in schools using children-friendly approaches like plays, posters, comics and educational videos.

The availability of foods like soft drinks, fatty foods, and foods with high sugar content should be regulated in school canteens.

Cooking classes should be conducted in schools as an extracurricular activity so that children become self-sufficient and always have the option of eating healthy food.

Having a mandatory physical education and health awareness class under proper supervision would also be a giant step in combating childhood obesity. Good habits are not formed in a day, so the mandatory component becomes important in some cases.

Once children get used to playing outside, they will get addicted to how good it makes them feel, and this will set them on a path of incorporating more healthy habits. ^(3,4)

These are just some of the few tools to empower you- the parent or the guardian, to take the best possible care of your child. Healthy food habits are a lifetime asset and work even better if molded into childhood. Eating healthy can save a person lakhs in hospital treatments – so commit to a holistic lifestyle, even if it seems expensive in the short run.

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References :

• https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.html#:~:text=Obesity%20is%20defined%20as%20a,of%2022.9%20kg%2Fm2.
• https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/childhood-obesity/#:~:text=With%2014.4%20million%20obese%20children,indicating%20a%20worrying%20upward%20trend.
• https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/69588
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827

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