A painkiller found in almost every medicine cabinet in the world could be silently damaging people's livers, a leading pharmacist has warned.
Paracetamol – used by millions every day to treat everything from headaches to fever – is safe when taken properly.
But even slightly exceeding the recommended dose can cause permanent liver damage, says Dipar Kamdar, a pharmacist and lecturer at Kingston University.
"While it is generally safe when used as directed, taking too much – even a little – can be extremely dangerous for your liver," she wrote this week for The Conversation, reports GazetaExpress.
"Even small overdoses, or combining paracetamol with alcohol, can increase the risk of serious harm. Always stay within the recommended dose and talk to your doctor if you need pain relief frequently."
She explained that the risk comes from the way the liver processes paracetamol. During its breakdown, the liver produces a toxic byproduct called NAPQI.
Normally, this is neutralized by a protective substance in the body known as glutathione.
But in high doses, the liver can become overwhelmed – leading to potentially life-threatening damage.
“However, in overdose, glutathione stores become depleted, allowing NAPQI to accumulate and attack liver cells. This can result in acute liver failure, which can be fatal.”
There is growing concern about the increasing number of cases of liver disease.
Diagnoses have increased by 40 percent, while deaths from liver disease have quadrupled over the last two decades.
About 10,000 people a year die from the disease, with the 45 to 64 age group accounting for half of them.
The British Liver Trust says that 90 percent of these cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes.
There are two types of liver disease:
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD)
Fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (formerly known as NAFLD – non-alcoholic fatty liver disease).
The accumulation of excess fat in the liver can cause it to become inflamed.
Over time, this can lead to the formation of scars that limit its function.
If left untreated, it can lead to the final stage of liver disease, known as cirrhosis.
Liver disease often does not cause symptoms in the early stages, but as it progresses it can cause fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and swelling in the feet and ankles.
The liver filters toxins, produces blood clotting factors, and regulates blood circulation. When it fails, complications result, which can be fatal.
The British Liver Trust estimates that 80 per cent of people suffering from metabolic dysfunction liver disease are undiagnosed – with up to a third suffering from some form of the disease.
Pharmacist Kamdar also warns that poor nutrition and unhealthy eating habits are major contributors to the development of this disease.
She advises avoiding foods rich in saturated fats, such as:
Red meat
Fried foods
Processed foods
While it recommends that "diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and fish can reduce liver fat and improve associated risk factors, such as high blood sugar and cholesterol levels."
Other risk factors include:
lack of physical activity,
smoking
and alcohol consumption.
Ms. Kamdar says:
“The liver is an incredibly strong organ – but it is not invincible. You can protect it by drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, taking medications responsibly, eating healthily, staying active and hydrated. If you notice any symptoms that could indicate liver problems, such as persistent fatigue, nausea or jaundice, don’t delay – talk to your doctor immediately. The earlier liver problems are detected, the higher the chance of successful treatment.” /GazetaExpress/
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