Liver Disease, Diabetes, Sleep Disorders, Excess Heat

Dr Joel Wallach and Pharmacist Keith discuss Liver Disease, diabetes, being prepared for excess heat, COVID sleep disorders and more

'Alarming' New Data on Disordered Sleep After COVID 

More than two thirds of patients (67.2%) reported at least moderate fatigue, while 21.8% reported severe fatigue, Pena reported. In addition, 41.3% reported at least moderate sleep disturbances, while 8% of patients reported severe sleep disturbances, including insomnia, "which may impair quality of life," Pena said. Obesity, mood disorders, and Black race emerged as contributors to problems with sleep and fatigue after COVID. Notably, after adjusting for demographics, Black race conferred threefold higher odds of moderate to severe sleep disturbances. "We know that people who have had COVID have more trouble sleeping afterwards. There is the COVID insomnia created in all of us just out of our worries, fears, isolation, and stress. And then there's an actual impact of having the infection itself on worsening sleep," said Benca, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Winston-Salem, North Carolina  

Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Blood Pressure 

An omega-3 fatty acid daily intake of approximately 3 grams, either in the form of supplements or food, may reduce blood pressure, a new meta-analysis suggests. The findings showed a substantial reduction in diastolic and systolic blood pressure when individuals consumed a moderate amount of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) combined, in doses of 2 to 3 grams per day. This association for systolic blood pressure was slightly more marked in study groups with a mean age of 45 years or older, reported Xin Zhang, PhD, of Macau University of Science and Technology in Taipa, China, and colleagues. The results were published online June 1 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.  

High Fructose Intake May Trigger Fatty Liver Disease 

Adding drinks with a high fructose content to a diet that already includes high fat content can accelerate the chances of fatty liver disease, according to scientists at the University of Barcelona. What to know: 

• A high intake of fructose may increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, in which too much fat is stored in liver cells.
• High-fructose corn syrup is one of the most common sweeteners in the food industry and is used despite scientific evidence that it is associated with metabolic disorders that are risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
• Consuming a high-fructose diet for long periods can lead to a deterioration of the layer of cells that creates the intestinal barrier that prevents bacteria and toxins from leaking into the bloodstream and affecting the liver.
• Fatty liver disease can lead to liver inflammation and liver damage, resulting in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a more aggressive disease that in turn can progress to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and liver failure.
• Severe fatty liver disease and liver tumors from the gut barrier deterioration created by excessive fructose intake can be prevented with medications. 

This is a summary of the article, "A New Study Relates Liquid Fructose Intake to Fatty Liver Disease," published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research on March 4, 2022. The full article can be found on newswise.com.  

To learn more about Dr Wallach, the 90 for Life products, and to get a FREE health evaluation and consult with Pharmacist Keith visit: http://CampaignForNutrition.com