Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Liver Function & Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition that puts patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, including risk of stroke and heart attack. There is an association between liver function and metabolic syndrome.








Features of Metabolic Syndrome


Metabolic syndrome is characterized by patients having at least three of the following health concerns: being overweight, having high triglyceride (a bad type of fat) levels in the blood, having high blood pressure, having high blood sugar levels and having low levels of "good" cholesterol.


Liver Functions


The liver is responsible for performing many functions crucial to overall health, including the regulation of chemical levels in the blood, hormone regulation, processing nutrients and vital proteins, detoxification and elimination of wastes, glucose conversion and bile production, among many others.


Relation Between Liver Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome


Abnormalities in the liver as a result of various conditions, such as fatty liver and hepatitis, affect the liver's ability to ensure normal blood sugar levels, and may cause a build up of fat and toxins in organ tissue and the bloodstream. Obesity, fat build up in the bloodstream and abnormal blood sugar levels are symptoms of metabolic syndrome.








Correlation of Health Conditions


The American College of Physicians published the results of two 2005 studies that correlate liver abnormalities and metabolic syndrome. One conclusion suggests that metabolic syndrome patients are less likely to resolve liver dysfunction; the other study concluded that metabolic syndrome strongly predicts nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).


Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hypopituitarism


The American Journal of Medical Sciences published the conclusion of a study that states there is an increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and liver dysfunction associated with NAFLD in hypopituitarism.

Tags: blood sugar, blood sugar levels, having high, sugar levels, having high blood