On World Liver Day, Epic School highlights its commitment to healthy eating with insights from medical experts on the rising threat of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) among the youth. Learn how simple lifestyle changes can make all the difference.
Today marks World Liver Day, and at Epic Public School, we thought it’s just the right occasion to shine a light on something we’ve long championed — healthy living. From our popular ‘fruit breaks’ to the much-debated ‘no junk food’ policy (yes, even on birthdays — sorry, no cupcakes snuck into tiffin boxes), we’ve been walking the talk for years.
But lately, something’s been gnawing at us — and it’s not just the students craving a packet of crisps. We’re talking about a rising health menace: fatty liver disease, and no, it’s no longer a middle-aged uncle’s issue after a Sunday kosha mangsho binge followed by a cheeky roshogolla.
It’s now showing up in Twenties as well. So, in the spirit of good health and good sense, here’s a bit of what the experts have to say — insights we picked up from The Telegraph and beyond, neatly tied up with Epic’s long-standing ethos.
What in the name of chutney is fatty liver disease?
Professor Debarata Banerjee, Head of Medical Gastroenterology at DPU Super Speciality Hospital, Pune, puts it quite cleverly:
“Think of your liver like a sponge. It’s meant to absorb and cleanse. But dunk it in oil and — surprise, surprise — it can’t do its job anymore. That’s fatty liver for you — a liver stuffed with fat and not pulling its weight.”
There are two types:
• Alcoholic – brought on by too much of the tipple
• Non-alcoholic – the more sly culprit nowadays, linked with poor diet, sedentary living, and the general habit of being a couch potato with a remote in one hand and a burger in the other.
But why are young people falling foul of it?
Blame it on the “Netflix and chips” generation. Dr Banerjee isn’t mincing his words:
“It’s all down to lifestyle — junk food, sitting about all day, piling on the pounds, stressing out, and sleeping poorly. Even teetotallers aren’t safe anymore.”
Dr Saswata Chatterjee, hepatologist at CMRI, adds a rather grim nugget:
“What we’re seeing now in the under-30s used to be the stuff of middle-aged health charts.”
How do you know if your liver’s waving a white flag?
Here’s the kicker — most people don’t have the foggiest until a routine blood test says otherwise. It’s what they call a “silent saboteur.”
Symptoms — when they appear at all — might include:
- Fatigue
- A dull ache on the upper right side
- Unexplained weight gain
- Rarely, a spot of jaundice
Ipsita Chakravarti, head of dietetics at CMRI, warns:
“We’ve seen patients as young as 24 with fibrosis — that’s a more advanced stage. It’s not just a wake-up call, it’s an airhorn.”
What’s fuelling the fire?
Let’s break it down:
- Processed food and drink — those fizzy colas? Your liver’s worst enemy.
- Lack of physical activity — swiping left isn’t exercise.
- Obesity — a BMI over 25? Time for a rethink.
- High cholesterol, insulin resistance, and stress — yes, stress-eating your way through deadlines counts too.
Chuck in a family history and some late-night samosas in front of the telly, and well, you’re not exactly rolling out the red carpet for good health.
Right then — what’s the plan?
Here’s what the experts recommend (and what we at Epic have been gently nudging all along):
1. Start with your plate.
Clinical nutritionist Ananya Bhowmik says:
“Whole foods — veg, fruit, lean proteins, whole grains. Chuck the fried rubbish and anything that comes in a shiny packet promising happiness.”
Also: add good fats (think olive oil, nuts, avocados), and give sweetened lattes and fizzy drinks the cold shoulder.
2. Keep your weight in check.
Even a modest 5-10% weight loss can turn the tide. You don’t need to be catwalk-ready — just healthy.
3. Get moving.
Brisk walking, cycling, swimming — even dancing around the living room helps.
Dr Chatterjee quips:
“Earlier, kids ran across fields. Now they just run out of phone battery.”
4. Ditch the drink.
If you’ve got fatty liver or are teetering on the edge, even ‘just one glass’ isn’t helping.
5. Mind your numbers.
Keep tabs on blood pressure, cholesterol, and don’t go popping pills willy-nilly — over-the-counter meds can clobber your liver too.
Chakravarti adds:
“Incorporate fish with healthy fats — sardines, tuna, mackerel — and stay updated on your lipid profile. Visceral fat is the quiet troublemaker.”
One last thing: Listen to your body, not just your smartwatch
Health apps are all the rage, but there’s no algorithm that knows your body better than you do. When in doubt, see a doctor. Have a proper chinwag about your health instead of scrolling through symptoms on the internet.
In conclusion?
Give your liver a break. It’s not just some squishy organ stuck in your abdomen. It’s your body’s unsung hero, working overtime while you nap, snack, and scroll.
So, this World Liver Day, maybe skip the chips, go for a stroll, and toast to good health with a glass of water. Your liver — and your future self — will thank you for it.
As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing cool about collapsing in your twenties because you couldn’t say no to another microwave pizza.
Cheers to a healthier tomorrow!
