THE UNSEEN BATTLE Living with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)


Book Description

In The Unseen Battle: Living with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Ns. Arif Rohman Mansur, S.Kep. M.Kep, offers an in-depth exploration of a silent yet widespread liver condition affecting millions globally. This comprehensive guide begins with an overview of the liver’s essential functions, laying the groundwork for a detailed examination of NAFLD, its causes, risk factors, and the disease’s progression. The book is meticulously structured, starting with the fundamentals of liver anatomy and physiology, then delving into the liver’s metabolic roles, including carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. It transitions to an exhaustive analysis of NAFLD, covering its definition, prevalence, and significant health concerns. The author elucidates the multifaceted causes and risk factors, such as genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and environmental influences, offering a clear understanding of how these elements exacerbate liver conditions. A notable section is dedicated to the symptoms of NAFLD, emphasizing how the disease often remains unnoticed in its early stages, only manifesting severe symptoms like jaundice, pruritis, and ascites as it progresses. Diagnostic approaches are thoroughly examined, from clinical evaluations and laboratory tests to advanced imaging studies and liver biopsies. The book extends beyond diagnosis, providing valuable insights into lifestyle changes essential for managing NAFLD. It discusses dietary modifications, weight loss strategies, and the importance of physical activity, all supported by scientific evidence and practical tips. Additionally, the book explores pharmacological treatments, including the latest research on medications that can help manage and potentially reverse the condition. The Unseen Battle serves as both a health reference and a beacon of hope, encouraging readers to take control of their health through informed decisions and lifestyle changes. This book is an essential read for anyone affected by or interested in understanding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.




Human Microbes - The Power Within


Book Description

This book offers a unique perspective on the invisible organ, a body part that has been visualized only recently. It guides the readers into the world of the microbial constituents that make humans the way they are. The vitamins they produce, the smell they generate, the signals they create, and the molecular guards they elaborate are some of the benefits they bestow on humans. After introducing the notion as to why microbes are an integral component in the development of humans, the book examines the genesis of the microbiome and describes how the resident bacteria work in partnership with the skin, digestive tract, sexual organs, mouth and lungs to execute vital physiological functions. It then discusses the diseases that are triggered by the disruption of the harmonious relationships amongst these diverse systems and provides microbial cures to ailments such as obesity and digestive complications. Finally, the book focuses on the future when the workings of the human microbes will be fully unravelled. Societal changes in health education, the establishment of the microbiome bank, the fight against hunger, space travel, designer traits and enhanced security are explained. Each chapter is accompanied by captivating illustrations and ends with a visual summary. Dr. Appanna has been researching for over 30 years on various aspects of microbial and human cellular systems. He is a professor of biochemistry and has also served as Department Chair and Dean of the Faculty at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada. The book is aimed at readers enrolled in medical, chiropractic, nursing, pharmacy, and health science programs. Practicing health-care professionals and continuing education learners will also find the content beneficial.




Fascinating Facts About Phytonutrients in Spices and Healthy Food


Book Description

For centuries, there have been claims that healthy food garnished with exotic spices and condiments provides vital nutrients that help ward off diseases, especially preventable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease (hypertension, coronary artery disease) and promote longevity. The purpose of writing this book is to update the public about the health benefits of ingredients (phytochemicals) in spices and healthy food using existing scientific evidence. The ultimate proof of health benefits will be deciphered by the isolation and identification of specific phytochemicals acting on specific receptors in the body exerting their biological effects. The important point being emphasized is that if the physiological effect of an ingredient is glaring, it is considered to elicit a significant response. However, when the effect of an ingredient is significant, yet the effect is not readily perceivable then the usefulness goes unnoticed and can be questioned as a myth. For example, coffee has several ingredients, but only caffeine acting on the adenosine receptors stimulates the central nervous system and promotes wakefulness. Similarly, the specific active ingredient in hot chili pepper, capsaicin, activates a member of a recently identified family of receptors called transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. TRP vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which is involved in certain modalities of pain, promotes the release of hormones in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although, the bioavailability of the active ingredients is low, it is important to realize that these ingredients can cause significant local effects in the GI tract by preventing cholesterol regeneration by subduing microbiota, inhibiting precancerous growth by promoting calcium influx and stimulating nerve endings to transmit information and to release of gut hormones that are involved in regulating a variety of functions including appetite and satiety.




Weight Management


Book Description

Weight management is a multi- and cross-disciplinary challenge. This book covers many etiological and diagnostic aspects of weight-related disorders and their treatment. This book explains how body weight influences and is influenced by the brain, hormones and immune system, diet, physical activity, posture and gait, and the social environment. This book also elucidates the health consequences of significantly low or pathologically increased body weight. Furthermore, ideas on how to influence and manage body weight including anti-obesity medical devices, diet counselling, artificial sweeteners, prebiotics and probiotics, proanthocyanidins, bariatric surgery, microbiota transplantation, warming, physical exercise, music and psychological therapy are discussed.




Microbial Ecology in States of Health and Disease


Book Description

Individually and collectively, resident microbes play important roles in host health and survival. Shaping and shaped by their host environments, these microorganisms form intricate communities that are in a state of dynamic equilibrium. This ecologic and dynamic view of host-microbe interactions is rapidly redefining our view of health and disease. It is now accepted that the vast majority of microbes are, for the most part, not intrinsically harmful, but rather become established as persistent, co-adapted colonists in equilibrium with their environment, providing useful goods and services to their hosts while deriving benefits from these host associations. Disruption of such alliances may have consequences for host health, and investigations in a wide variety of organisms have begun to illuminate the complex and dynamic network of interaction - across the spectrum of hosts, microbes, and environmental niches - that influence the formation, function, and stability of host-associated microbial communities. Microbial Ecology in States of Health and Disease is the summary of a workshop convened by the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats in March 2013 to explore the scientific and therapeutic implications of microbial ecology in states of health and disease. Participants explored host-microbe interactions in humans, animals, and plants; emerging insights into how microbes may influence the development and maintenance of states of health and disease; the effects of environmental change(s) on the formation, function, and stability of microbial communities; and research challenges and opportunities for this emerging field of inquiry.




Machine Learning and AI for Healthcare


Book Description

Explore the theory and practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in healthcare. This book offers a guided tour of machine learning algorithms, architecture design, and applications of learning in healthcare and big data challenges. You’ll discover the ethical implications of healthcare data analytics and the future of AI in population and patient health optimization. You’ll also create a machine learning model, evaluate performance and operationalize its outcomes within your organization. Machine Learning and AI for Healthcare provides techniques on how to apply machine learning within your organization and evaluate the efficacy, suitability, and efficiency of AI applications. These are illustrated through leading case studies, including how chronic disease is being redefined through patient-led data learning and the Internet of Things. What You'll LearnGain a deeper understanding of key machine learning algorithms and their use and implementation within wider healthcare Implement machine learning systems, such as speech recognition and enhanced deep learning/AI Select learning methods/algorithms and tuning for use in healthcare Recognize and prepare for the future of artificial intelligence in healthcare through best practices, feedback loops and intelligent agentsWho This Book Is For Health care professionals interested in how machine learning can be used to develop health intelligence – with the aim of improving patient health, population health and facilitating significant care-payer cost savings.




In Defense of Processed Food


Book Description

It has become popular to blame the American obesity epidemic and many other health-related problems on processed food. Many of these criticisms are valid for some processed-food items, but many statements are overgeneralizations that unfairly target a wide range products that contribute to our health and well-being. In addition, many of the proposed dangers allegedly posed by eating processed food are exaggerations based on highly selective views of experimental studies. We crave simple answers to our questions about food, but the science behind the proclamations of food pundits is not nearly as clear as they would have you believe. This book presents a more nuanced view of the benefits and limitations of food processing and exposes some of the tricks both Big Food and its critics use to manipulate us to adopt their point of view. Food is a source of enjoyment, a part of our cultural heritage, a vital ingredient in maintaining health, and an expression of personal choice. We need to make those choices based on credible information and not be beguiled by the sophisticated marketing tools of Big Food nor the ideological appeals and gut feelings of self-appointed food gurus who have little or no background in nutrition.




A Conversation about Healthy Eating


Book Description

What constitutes a healthy diet? Mainstream media and advertisers would like you to think that the answer to this question is complicated and controversial. But science, fortunately, tells us otherwise. A Conversation about Healthy Eating brings together all the relevant science about healthy eating in one place, and it’s exactly that – a conversation; an informal discussion between a scientist and a friend about their eating habits,keeping the science firmly rooted in everyday life. The conversation moves from topics such as metabolism and digestion to gut bacteria, hormones, neuroscience and the immune system. All of these concepts are explained in accessible terms to help you understand the roles they play in maintaining a healthy diet. The conversation leads to the conclusion that staying lean and healthy simply requires avoiding the overconsumption of processed foods. While this is, of course, easier said than done, science also provides clear recommendations for how you can adapt your environment and lifestyle to make it possible. Rather than simply presenting you with the principles of healthy eating, this book will help you to develop a comprehensive understanding of the science behind the principles, including the evolutionary facts that affect the way we eat today. This understanding will allow you to ignore the noise in the media and to move forward with a healthy lifestyle that work for you.




Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment


Book Description

Chronic viral hepatitis has emerged as one of the most common causes of disease and death worldwide. Because of their unique modes of replication and intimate association with the host immune system, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) pose challenging problems to scientists in basic and applied research as well as to clinicians engaged in disease management. Although approved antiviral therapy is available for chronic HBV, the emergence of viral resistance provides a rationale for the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents. The lack of a robust cell culture system for HCV replication and a readily accessible small-animal model of HCV infection have hampered the development of antiviral agents for HCV. Neverthe-less, new antiviral agents targeting HCV are now in preclinical and clinical development. This monograph, providing an up-to-date overview of the field of Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment, includes contributions from internationally recognized experts in the field of viral hepatitis, and covers the current state of knowledge and practice regarding the molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, pharmacology and clinical aspects of chronic HBV and HCV infection. The volume includes salient topics such as: the history and epidemiology of HBV and HCV; recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of viral replication; the host immune response to infection and a discussion of the use (HBV) or potential development (HCV) of vaccines; the current standard of care for chronically-infected patients; and emerging therapies and issues associated with current antiviral treatments. The latest information to researchers and clinicians actively engaged in viral hepatitis research is provided, but also sufficient background and discussion of the literature to benefit the newcomer to the field.