Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 26: Maintaining a healthy liver starts with two simple habits: sleeping well and steering clear of junk food, emphasized Dr. S.K. Sarin, Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), in a public advisory on Friday.

In a post shared on social media platform X, Dr. Sarin bluntly warned against the consumption of junk food, likening it to waste meant for dustbins. "The word ‘junk food’ says it all — it’s junk and belongs in the dustbin. If you treat your stomach and intestines like dustbins, go ahead. Otherwise, avoid it completely," he stated.

Junk foods, loaded with unhealthy fats, excessive sugars, and processed ingredients, are major contributors to obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes—all of which significantly raise the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and can lead to more severe conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Dr. Sarin also highlighted the critical role of proper sleep habits in maintaining liver health. "Sleeping late and eating late at night disturbs gut bacteria, essential for good health. Your intestinal bacteria, responsible for processing food, need their rest too. Prioritizing restorative sleep is one of the best things you can do," he advised.

Scientific studies back this connection, revealing that poor sleep habits and late-night eating not only disrupt metabolism but also increase the risk of significant liver fibrosis — an indicator of liver damage — by impairing fat and carbohydrate processing during sleep.

In his broader message, Dr. Sarin urged people to refocus their life priorities: "Don’t trade your health in pursuit of money, power, or positions. A sound, healthy body and a good night’s sleep are the real sources of happiness," he said.

Currently, fatty liver disease—recently renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—is on the rise in India, affecting nearly 30% of the population. MASLD occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver without heavy alcohol use, often linked to conditions like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Recognizing the growing public health threat, the Union Health Ministry in September last year released revised operational guidelines and training modules for early detection and management of MASLD, aiming to enhance patient care and outcomes.