Health burden So the liver survives the annual Christmas

Alcohol and fatty food: At Christmas, the liver is often very stressed

Especially during the Christmas season is often feasting unrestrained: fat roast, cookies, mulled wine and eggnog. Not only does this provide extra pounds, it also strains the liver. The organ is often overused anyway throughout the year, as shown by the increase in fatty liver disease. Therefore, some tips should be followed on and after the holidays.

Increase in fatty liver disease

According to health experts, more than a third of Germans suffers from fatty liver disease. Alcohol-induced fatty liver is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) usually occurs in people who are not moving enough, who are severely overweight or who are eating poorly. According to the German Liver Foundation, the number of patients with a NAFL has risen dramatically: one in four Germans over the age of 40 has already been affected, and even with many children, the vital organ of the liver is more and more often pathologically altered.

The number of Germans with a non-alcoholic fatty liver has increased dramatically. Also more and more children are affected. Experts warn therefore at Christmas time before to extensive feasting. (Image: ag visual / fotolia.com)

On the holidays, many Germans do not pay attention to calories

"Sweet Christmas" is growing in Germany:

According to the European survey "Christmas Survey 2017", which was launched in October 2017, sweets, cash and vouchers are among the most popular gifts for men in Germany; for women, it's sweets, books and cosmetics.

Without confectionary, this is obviously not going on at the festival of love!

At Christmas time is usually feasted vigorously. As the German Liver Foundation writes in a statement, 78 percent of Germans said in a survey that they do not pay attention to calories at Christmas.

And this carelessness, which is not confined to the "contemplative days" of many German citizens, is reflected in the alarming increase in so-called non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL).

The German Liver Foundation has taken this development as an opportunity to point out the dangers of overly carefree consumption of sweet, fatty and alcoholic foods.

Fatty liver can lead to cancer

"The production of foie gras in ducks and geese, whereby the animals' liver swells to about ten times their weight due to forced feeding, is rightfully forbidden in Germany," said Professor Dr. med. Michael P. Manns, CEO of the German Liver Foundation.

"But in humans, this very pathological change in the vital organ is the most common liver disease in Germany. In addition to physical inactivity, poor nutrition - and especially sweets and fatty foods - is one of the main causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, "explains the expert.

"A fatty liver can become infected and cause liver cirrhosis or liver cell cancer," warns the doctor.

Many children also suffer from fatty liver disease

"Particularly worrisome is that already about one in ten children in Germany suffers from a fatty liver disease. We strongly advise that obese children and adolescents always have a fatty liver disease, "says Professor Manns.

Many do not notice for a long time about their diseased liver. Because the organ suffers mute and only when the liver is greatly enlarged, it comes to symptoms such as pressure in the upper abdomen, fatigue and loss of appetite.

"A simple ultrasound scan can make liver changes visible. Also, the liver values ​​(GPT, GOT and GGT), which are detected during a blood test, for example, the pediatrician, may point to the disease, "explains the physician.

More exercise and healthier diet

So far, there are no approved drugs for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver. Therapies are aimed primarily at a lifestyle change that involves more exercise and a change in diet.

Research has shown that fasting can break down fatty liver.

Also artichoke tea or capsules with milk thistle should be good for the liver.

However, you do not have to do without everything - but it should be enjoyed in moderation and not constantly.

For the 2017 Christmas season, the liver experts therefore recommend walks instead of sitting in the TV armchair, more often a salad instead of the sausage from the Christmas market and the question of whether each Christmas gift must actually be presented together with a chocolate Santa Claus. (Ad)