DM1ST(^26) DAILY MIRROR TUESDAY 03.03.2020
HEALTH
NEXT MONDAY: OUR LIFETIME GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR CHOLESTEROL IN CHECK
look after your liver
PART TWO
E
very day, more than 40 people in
the UK die from liver disease. And
according to a disturbing new
survey by The British Liver Trust,
many are completely unaware they have
a problem until it is too late to do
anything about it.
The charity polled 2,000 liver disease
patients and found a quarter had been
diagnosed at a very late stage when there
were few options for treatment.
One in five had been dismissed or sent
home with medication without any
further investigation the first time they
visited their GP.
Professor Stephen Ryder, consultant
liver specialist at Nottingham University
NHS Trust, says: “We need to be
diagnosing people with liver disease at a
much earlier stage.”
And Pamela Healy, chief executive of
The British Liver
Trust, warns: “The
UK is facing a liver
disease crisis.
“Problems often
develop silently as
patients do not
tend to experience
symptoms until
the disease has
progressed.
“Our survey highlights the need to
help people understand how to
reduce their risk of liver damage
to address the increase in deaths from
liver disease.
“Although the liver is remarkably
resilient, if left too late, damage is often
irreversible and may lead to the
development of liver cancer or liver failure.”
So what can you do to ensure your liver
lasts you a lifetime?
Research suggests simple changes to
diet and lifestyle can go a long way to
reducing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease, while sensible drinking can
protect against the effects of alcohol-
related harm.
Follow our easy tips and learn how to
love your liver.
‘‘The UK is
facing a liver
disease crisis
- and it often
appears once
it’s too late
The simple
changes to
ensure your
liver lasts
a lifetime
In part two of our exclusive health guide, Pat Hagan explains how diet and
lifestyle changes can cut your risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Have three
booze-free days
a week
Government drinking
guidelines state
adults should
consume no more
than 14 units of
alcohol a week.
But for the sake of
your liver, it’s also important to not
drink every day, even small amounts.
The British Liver Trust recommends
having at least three days a week
alcohol-free to give the liver a chance
to repair itself.
The charity says: “If you drink over
the recommended daily guidelines
the liver will be unable to process the
alcohol you consume quickly
enough, which damages its cells.”
The trust has developed a
smartphone app to monitor your
drinking (spruceapp.co.uk).Lose 10% of your
body weight
Keeping liver disease at bay doesn’t
necessarily mean a complete body
transformation.
In fact, experts say if you are overweight,
shedding just 10% of your overall body
weight gives liver function a significant
boost and may help reverse non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The same simple approach has also
been found to help prevent Type 2
diabetes – which is also heavily diet-
related.
This means somebody who weighs 14
stone would need to shed one
stone 5lb to reverse the early
stages of NAFLD.
The British Liver Trust says:
“There is evidence that gradual
weight loss, coupled with increased
exercise, can reduce the amount of
fat in your liver.”Drink at least
three coffees a day
There have been lots of health benefits
claimed for coffee over the years. But
some of the strongest evidence is found
in the area of liver disease.
The World Health Organisation
reviewed over a thousand studies and
concluded the popular beverage lowers
the risk of fibrosis – the harmful
scarring of the liver.
And it seems there are beneficial
effects however the coffee is prepared,
be it filtered, instant or espresso.
But how much do we need to drink to
get the protective effects?
“Three to five cups a day seems to be
where most of the health benefits to
kick in,” says Professor Jonathan
Fallowfield, head of liver research at the
University of Edinburgh.
“We should definitely be taking
coffee seriously as the evidence is
overwhelming. Most of the data
suggests caffeinated is better.”A hardy evergreen shrub that produces heavily scented double flowers
Fragrant Gardenia ‘Crown Jewel’
Scented Star-Shaped Blooms
Gardenia jasminoides ‘Crown Jewel’ is
a sensational hardy dwarf evergreen
shrub, producing masses of
heavily scented fl owers. The glossy
green leaves provide a dramatic
backdrop to the double, star-shaped
white fl owers which bloom early
summer and continue through to the
autumn. This compact shrub is easily
managed, growing to only 60cm tallwith a spread of 100-120cm. Ideal for
growing on a patio, where the fl owers
incredible fragrance can be enjoyed
from June to October. Top-quality 9cm
pot plants supplied.Call 0843 922 5000 (quoting DM39255)
or visit MirrorGardenOffers.co.uk
Call our UK-based sales team or visit our website now for hundreds of great offers(calls cost
7ppm)ALTERNATIVELY COMPLETE THE COUPON IN BLOCK CAPITALS AND SEND IT TO:
Mirror Gardenia ‘Crown Jewel’ (DM39255), PO Box 64, South West District Offi ce, Manchester, M16 9HY
TITLE^ INITIAL SURNAME
ADDRESS
POST CODE
DOB EMAIL
TEL NO (for queries only)
NAME ON CARD SIGNATURECalls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. These goods are sold and supplied by J. Parker Dutch Bulbs (Wholesale) Ltd with
whom you contact when you accept this offer.CARD NO.
MAESTRO 16+ NOS VALID / EXPIRY / MAESTRO ISSUE NO.I enclose a cheque/PO for the amount of
£ made payable to ‘Garden Offers’,
please use blue or black ink, (name and address
on the back please) or debit my credit/debit card
for the sum of £PLEASE SEND ME QTY PRICE TOTAL
GARDENIA ‘CROWN JEWEL’ £13.99 £
2 GARDENIA ‘CROWN JEWEL’ - SAVE £8 £19.98 £
P&P FREE
TOTAL £Order one Gardenia ‘Crown Jewel’
for £13.99, or buy two for only
£19.98 and save £8.BUY TWO ANDSAVE
£8
Free delivery within 14 days.
Our bestselling hardy evergreen shrub.