What is Hepatitis

Hepatitis
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It sits in the right-upper abdomen just under the right lung and behind the ribs. It is one of the body's most versatile organs because it performs so many functions all at the same time. The liver makes proteins, eliminates waste material from the body, produces and metabolizes cholesterol, stores and releases glucose energy, and metabolizes many drugs used in medicine. It produces bile that flows through bile ducts into the intestine to help digest food. This remarkable organ also has the ability to regenerate itself if it is injured or partially removed. The liver receives blood from two different sources -- the heart and the intestines. All of this blood flows through the liver and returns to the heart. It is no wonder that the ancient Chinese viewed the liver, not the heart, as the center of the body.

What Is Hepatitis?
Any type of inflammation in the liver is called hepatitis. This inflammation can be caused by many different things: drugs, viruses, bacteria, heredity, fatty tissue, and other causes.

What Are the Types of Viral Hepatitis?

Type A -- Previously known as infectious hepatitis, it can be contracted through contaminated water or food. During the acute infection, the patient's blood and body fluids are also infectious. Although some patients become acutely and desperately sick from this infection, most people tolerate it well and fully recover. No chronic infection occurs with this virus.

Type B -- Previously known as serum hepatitis. Patients are sicker initially with this very unpleasant virus and take longer to recover, some-times several months. Furthermore, about 10 percent of patients progress into a state of chronic smoldering infection in the liver. A person can be infected by a contaminated needle or through sexual contact. Homosexual men, intravenous drug users, or persons who have sexual contact with these people are at an especially high risk for contracting this disease.

Type C -- This virus infection was previously known as non-A non-B hepatitis. In the past, it was transmitted mostly by blood transfusion. There are now good blood tests to check for this virus before blood is given. Most cases now occur in people who use contaminated needles for drug use. However, many cases are "community acquired," meaning the physicians really don't know how they occur. It is difficult, but not impossible, to transmit this virus by unprotected sexual intercourse. Many people who acquire this infection go on to a chronic phase.

Other Viruses -- There are now types recognized -- D, E, and G viruses -- that can cause hepatitis. Infectious mono virus, CMV virus, and several other viruses are also capable of infecting the liver.

Are There Other Causes?

• Alcohol -- Binge drinking of alcohol can inflict an acute hepatitis injury on the liver.
• Drugs -- Certain drugs also can acutely injure the liver in a few people who are hypersensitive or allergic to a particular medicine.
• Autoimmune -- There are certain conditions similar to the disease called lupus erythematosus, which can produce injury to the liver. They are known as autoimmune disorders because the body's own antibody defenses seem to actively damage the liver.
• Hereditary Conditions -- There are certain hereditary disorders, such as Wilson's disease, in which acute damage to the liver can occur.

Symptoms
As with other illnesses, symptoms of hepatitis can be severe, mild, or not present at all. It depends on how badly the liver is damaged. With mild viral hepatitis, slight fatigue may be the only symptom. When hepatitis is severe, the patient loses the taste for food and cigarettes, develops a heaviness in the right-upper abdomen and, especially with acute B hepatitis, may have diarrhea and arthritis. The liver and even the spleen can enlarge. jaundice then develops. The eyes and skin turn yellow, the urine dark, and the stool a putty-white color. Jaundice results when the yellow bile pigment, which normally flows through the bile ducts to the intestine, backs up and spills into the blood. Acute hepatitis can last from two weeks to several months. The patient often needs to be hospitalized in the early, acute phase of the illness.

Diagnosis
The physician often suspects hepatitis based on the patient's medical history and physical exam. Certain blood tests, however, are the best indicators of hepatitis, its causes, and its severity. Blood tests are used to follow the course of the infection through to recovery. Additional tests, such as ultrasound (sonography), are performed to study the bile ducts, gallbladder, and liver. Occasionally a liver biopsy may be needed to provide information to the physician.

Treatment
No specific treatments are available for acute viral hepatitis. Fortunately, in most cases the body develops antibodies that fight and eventually kill the virus, allowing the liver to recover. For alcohol and drug-induced hepatitis, the patient has to avoid the offending agent. The physician must make an accurate diagnosis, support the patient during the acute phase, and provide advice during recovery. Recovery from viral hepatitis A and B results in protective antibodies so that the patient will not get these infections again and cannot transmit them to anyone else.

Chronic Phase
Some people progress to chronic hepatitis. Here, the liver smolders with persistent inflammation. These patients need to be followed closely, usually by a specialist, to address the various problems that can arise from this condition. Effective treatment is available for many types of chronic hepatitis. Because some of these patients are infectious and can transmit the disease, they and their families must be educated about how to protect themselves.

Contagion and Spread
In the past, viral hepatitis had a well-deserved reputation for being contagious. Contaminated water and poor sanitation provided easy transmission for these viruses. Today, much is known about how the viruses are transmitted so that prevention is usually possible.

However, infection still can occur through contaminated water or poor sanitation. In addition, during the acute phase, all body secretions -- saliva, tears, semen, urine, and especially blood -- are infectious. Sexual contact with someone who is infected is known to spread the virus. Also, if a patient is a carrier in the chronic phase, the infection may be spread through sexual contact. Intravenous drug users who share needles are at an extremely high risk of contracting hepatitis, as are people who have multiple sexual partners. Because each hepatitis virus is different, it is always best to discuss this with a physician.

Vaccination
Passive (short-acting) and active (permanent and long-lasting) vaccines now are available against hepatitis A and B. People who travel to underdeveloped countries are encouraged to receive these vaccinations. The following high-risk groups should also receive active immunization: health care workers, especially those who handle body fluids such as blood; people who have multiple sex partners; intravenous drug users; and prostitutes. The American Pediatric Association now recommends that all infants and children be vaccinated.

Summary
Hepatitis, especially viral hepatitis, is a potentially serious disease with long-term consequences. Most people infected with the virus, however, have a full recovery without any specific therapy. Current knowledge about the disease and advances in vaccination make prevention a realistic goal for everyone. Non-viral types of hepatitis may often be controlled by treating the underlying causes. People who follow the advice of their physicians have every reason to expect a full and active life.


Reference :Jackson S. Gastroenterology

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Fish Oil Dietary

The Best Fish Oil Dietary Supplements

Fish oil is the best known source of omega-3 fatty acids, but all fish oil supplements are not the same. Selecting the wrong supplement could mean that you get little or none of the health benefits associated with omega-3 fatty acids. What's worse is that some fish oil supplements contain contaminants that can endanger your health. In order to choose the best fish oil dietary supplements, there are several things that you, the consumer should consider.
First, there are basic considerations that apply to all dietary supplements, no just fish oil supplements.

You should always ask question:

What are the health benefits from it?

The brain needs adequate levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in order to maintain and rebuild cells. Fish is often referred to as "brain food". Scientific studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acids found in some fish support optimum brain function. Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may improve your memory and your ability to focus on the task at hand, whether it be taking a test, writing a novel or driving your vehicle.
People suffering from conditions, such as depression, multiple sclerosis, attention deficit disorder and similar problems have shown improvement after increasing their intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In the studies that support these statements, the participants were given some of the purest and best fish oil dietary supplements.
The heart needs EPA (eicospentaenoic acid) in order to maintain proper circulation. The best fish oil dietary supplements contain both EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends fish oil dietary supplements for people who have suffered a heart attack. It is believed that fish oil supplements may help prevent certain types of heart disease.
The joints function better when there are adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet. In research studies, people suffering from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis noticed improvement in flexibility, a reduction in pain, reduced morning stiffness and less dependence on over the counter or prescription pain medications.
Fish oil supplements can improve the moisture content and elasticity of the skin. They can improve the appearance, texture and strength of a person's hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are found to serve a function in practically every system of the human body.
Are there any side effects?
The best fish oil dietary supplements are odorless and tasteless. Capsules are easy to swallow. They are molecularly distilled to remove all impurities and contaminants.
You should choose a fish oil supplement that is manufactured by a reputable company that sells a variety of health supplements and is not new to omega-3 supplement manufacturing. Experienced manufacturers know how to choose the source fish and how to properly remove contaminants.

That brings up other questions that apply specifically to omega-3 supplements.

Not all omega-3 supplements are derived from fish oil. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids do not contain EPA and DHA. They contain an omega-3 fatty acid that can be converted to EPA or DHA, but the conversion process is inefficient and only a small amount is actually converted. The only way to be sure that you are getting all of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is to choose a fish oil supplement.
Some fish oil supplements contain artificial flavorings. In some cases, this technique is used to mask the taste and odor of rancid fish oil. The manufacturer should collect and freeze the oil when it is first harvested in order to avoid spoilage, but most do not.
What type of fish and what part of the fish is the oil derived from?
If the manufacturer does not list the type of fish, do not buy that brand of fish oil supplement. Some manufacturers use whatever is cheapest, with little concern for safety. Many fish have been contaminated by pollutants. They contain high levels of mercury and PCB's (poisonous substances that are a bi-product of manufacturing processes).
Fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean are the least safe. Specifically you should avoid Codfish, (which means cod liver oil), Atlantic salmon, shark, and Atlantic halibut. You should also choose a fish oil that is derived form the flesh of the fish, not the liver, because the liver is the dumping ground for every toxin that the fish has ever been exposed to.
The best choice, according to everything that we have read, is the New Zealand Hoki fish. It is becoming an increasingly popular choice for fish sticks and filets, because of the lack of toxins found in the fishes environment. Located of the southern coast of Australia, the ocean waters surrounding the island country of New Zealand are considered the cleanest in the world.
Is the fish oil molecularly distilled?
Molecular distillation removes any remaining contaminants, leaving the purest of fish oil for omega-3 supplements. Some companies advertise an "all-natural" fish oil. Those fish oils contain numerous contaminants and the only real reason that companies choose to sell them is because they are cheaper to manufacture.
The Bottom Line:
* Omega 3 fatty acids provide numerous health benefits to people of all ages.
* The best known source of omega-3 fatty acids is fish oil.
* The best fish oil dietary supplements come from fish that swim in clean ocean waters, contain no additives and are molecularly distilled to ensure safety and purity.

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Omega 3 Fish Oil for Liver Disease

Omega 3 Fish Oil for Liver Disease

Studies have shown that people with liver disease tend to have low concentrations of long chain Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in their liver cells. For example, an increase in fat droplet size in the liver cells has been associated with a reduction in the Omega 3 fatty acid Eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA. Why this is the case is currently unclear but the role of fish oil as a possible treatment and perhaps preventative measure for liver disease remains an area of investigation.

Can Omega 3 inhibit liver cancer cells?

Two recent studies by the University of Pittsburgh and presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington DC, (April 2006) indicate that Omega 3 fatty acids appear to slow down the growth of liver cancer cells and reduce levels of beta-catenin. Elevated levels of beta-catenin have been associated with the development of a variety of tumours.

One of the studies investigated hepatocellular cancer, the most common type of liver cancer, the other investigated cholangiocarcinoma a form of cancer arising in the part of the liver that carries bile. Both studies involved treating the cancer cells with either Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) or Omega 6 fatty acid (AA) for a period of 12 to 48 hours.

The findings of both these studies were that Omega 3 treatment inhibited cell growth and that it was dose-dependent whereas the Omega 6 had no effect. Dr Tong Wu and colleagues thought that the Omega 3 effect was most likely due to the introduction of apoptosis or programmed death of the cells.

Omega 3 and Fatty Liver

A fatty liver is one where more than 10% of the liver is composed of fat. This build up of fat can occur for a number of reasons including alcohol abuse, obesity, hyperlipidemia (too much cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), diabetes, and poisoning. The two major types of fatty liver can be divided into alcoholic and non-alcoholic types but both are precursors of serious liver disease including hepatitis and cirrhosis.

The simplest form of fatty liver is known as steatosis and is a result of an accumulation of fat in the liver but doesn't appear to cause liver damage. However, steatohepatitis is a more serious form of fatty liver and is associated with inflammation and liver damage possibly leading to permanent scarring and cancer. Why a liver becomes fatty in the first place is not well understood but is thought to be linked to a number of factors including increased absorption of fat from the intestines and a decreased ability to remove the fat from the liver. Those most at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are people who are overweight, those with diabetes and those who have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

It is already known that long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil have anti-inflammatory properties and can lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and lower triglycerides, and that they have a blood-thinning effect. Studies also indicate that they can reduce the fatty droplet deposits to the liver as well as improve insulin resistance and general liver function.

A long term pilot study conducted by researchers Capanni and colleagues at the Department of Clinical Pathophysiology in Florence, Italy suggests that long chain polyunsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids could have a role in improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 42 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were given Omega 3 for a year, 14 participants acted as the controls. Those on Omega 3 had decreased levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) as well as lower levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and fasting glucose when compared with controls. High levels of AST are an indication of liver disease. The ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 was also reduced and an ultrasound scan showed improvements to the liver.

Research

One interesting area of research is developing involving Omega 3 fatty acids and parenteral nutrition. This is where patients who cannot eat normally are fed intravenously and it is known that prolonged feeding in this way can lead to serious liver damage, particularly in babies and small children. Researchers at the Childrens Hospital in Boston and published in the July 2006 issue of Paediatrics, discovered that if the type of intra-venous fluid is changed from the usual Omega 6 base to Omega 3, the liver doesn't appear to get damaged.

Conclusion

The early indications are that fish oil supplementation has the potential to offer therapeutic benefits as well as preventative measures for liver disease and although more research is required the future does look promising. In the meantime fish oil supplementation can offer a number of positive health benefits but it is important when choosing a supplement not to opt for cod liver oil due to its vitamin A content, which can put extra pressure on the liver. It is also advisable not to take one of the standard grade fish oils as the quantity of Omega 3 fatty acids they contain can vary and they can also contain impurities. Fish oil that is highly concentrated and of a pharmaceutical grade is the best way to ensure you get the maximum health benefits from a fish oil.

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