Kidney/Liver Health
RNA Modifications Protect Against Liver Disease & Explain Differences Among Genders
A chemical modification that occurs in some RNA molecules as they carry genetic instructions from DNA to cells’ protein-making machinery may offer protection against non-alcoholic fatty liver, a condition that results from a build-up of fat in the liver and can lead to advanced liver disease, according to a studyRead
DISCOVERY: Scientists Find Drug Metabolism in Intestines and Recycling in the Liver, in Mice
The liver is thought of as the critical organ for metabolizing drugs and botanicals. It’s true, however a team of University of Houston pharmaceutical researchers found a newly recognized process of drug metabolism in the intestines, in a mice study. This process is followed by recycling through the liver. “TheRead
Skin Cells Act as Pre-neurons in Liver Disease Itching
A devastating itching of the skin driven by severe liver disease turns out to have a surprising cause. Its discovery points toward possible new therapies for itching, and shows that the outer layer of the skin is so much more than insulation. The finding, which appears in Gastroenterology, indicates thatRead
Hyperinsulinemia and Insulin Resistance Develops as part of Elevated Free Fatty Acids
While it is commonly accepted that free fatty acids (FFA) cause insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in obese individuals, which drives hyperinsulinemia. However, as this new research shows, hyperinsulinemia may be observed in subjects with normoglycemia. The authors suggest that this and other evidence supports the notion that the paradigm shouldRead
DISCOVERY: Coconut Oil Synthesis in the Liver
Among paleo and keto food followers, coconut oil is often the preferred fat of choice, although its alleged health benefits remain controversial because less is known about how the body metabolizes medium-chain fatty acids. Published in the journal Molecular Metabolism, scientists at the University of Bonn showed how coconut oilRead
Mankai Combined with Modified Mediterranean Diet Shows Promise for NAFLD
A green Mediterranean (MED) diet, that includes the green superfood Mankai, walnuts and no-red meat, reduced intrahepatic fat more than other healthy diets and cuts non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in half, according to a long-term clinical intervention trial, published in Gut, led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchersRead
Why are the Kidneys an Attractive Target for Coronavirus?
Although the lungs are a common target for COVID-19’s cytokine storm, so are the kidneys, making the 1-in-4 U.S. adults with diabetes resulting in diabetic kidney disease at increased risk for virus mortality. But why are the kidneys so attractive to the coronavirus? Recently published in Kidney International, a nationalRead
Rapid, Non-Invasive Liver Exam at Point of Care Improves Patient Outcomes
By Scott Howell, D.O., MPH&TM, CPE, Advisor to Echosens Physician practices providing integrative medicine (IM) understand the value of healing-oriented medicine that treats the whole person, including all aspects of patient lifestyles. The emphasis of the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient is informed by evidence and utilizes every appropriate therapy to meetRead
Stevia Extract May Reduce Markers of Fatty Liver Disease
There is clear evidence that high sugar consumption leads to obesity and fatty liver disease. And while synthetic and natural alternatives to sugar are available, there are concerns about how some sweeteners may damage the liver. A new study led by Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, shows that stevia extract mayRead
Intermittent Fasting Changes Liver Enzymes
Researchers in Australia have used state-of-the-art analytical tools to understand how intermittent fasting works on liver enzymes to help prevent disease. The findings will help medical scientists working in cancer, cardiovascular and diabetes research develop new interventions to lower disease risk and discover the optimum intervals for fasting. In experimentsRead
