High cholesterol foods linked to liver cancer and cirrhosis

July 4, 1:47 PMCharlotte Health and Happiness ExaminerKathleen Blanchard RN

For the first time, researchers have found a link between consuming foods high in cholesterol and liver disease. Diets high in protein and cholesterol are now associated with cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Conversely, eating more carbohydrates may lower the risk of liver disease.

Researchers from Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle extracted data from the National Health Examination Survey, using information provided by 9,221 participants who had completed a 24 hour dietary questionnaire. The authors were careful to exclude anyone with a diagnosis of liver disease at the beginning of the study, or who had been diagnosed with cirrhosis or liver cancer within five years. The researchers found that eating protein and cholesterol was associated with a higher risk of cirrhosis or liver cancer.

The study group was followed for 13.3 years. The authors found that survey participants diagnosed with liver cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, and  associated with eating foods high in cholesterol and protein, were more likely to be male, non-white, obese, less educated, consume alcohol, and suffer from diabetes.

According to the authors, “No such associations were observed in normal-weight persons.” This suggests that the relevant dietary factors are more likely to have hepatic (liver related) effects through obesity-related fatty liver disease. Cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer developed primarily in obese individuals with poor dietary habits.

The authors concluded that the incidence of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer could be modified by dietary interventions, a consideration not previously recognized. Consuming more carbohydrates, versus high cholesterol, high protein foods might decrease the risk of cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

Resource: Wiley-Blackwell

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