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High fructose consumption in obese people and those with diabetes leads to decreased levels of ATP molecules, which provide energy to liver cells, and can increase the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, with inflammation and scarring in the liver. Duke University researchers said fructose consumption has more than doubled in the past 30 years. [...]

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and gastroenterologist Dr. Todd Scheer of the Austin Diagnostic Clinic in Texas says hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can lead to serious complications. Of greatest concern is hepatitis C, which is a chronic condition. He says most people do not have symptoms, so the disease may not be [...]

Persistent heartburn can cause Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer if not treated early, health advocates say. “Heartburn is a way of your body telling you there’s something wrong,” says Dr. Ann Chen, director of endoscopic ultrasound at Stanford University School of Medicine. Patients with heartburn should speak with their physicians about their [...]

Poor gastrointestinal health can affect hormones associated with sleep, thinking, libido, muscular function and the immune system, says Dr. Steven Lamm, and internist and clinical faculty member at New York University Medical Center. Eating meals slowly and at regular intervals, getting enough sleep, drinking water throughout the day and cutting back on alcohol consumption can [...]

Smokers are more likely to get Crohn’s disease than nonsmokers, and those who continue the habit after their diagnosis can make their symptoms worse, says Dr. Richard Desi of Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Desi says kicking the smoking habit can lead to fewer Crohn’s flare-ups and a reduction in disease severity. WBAL-TV (Baltimore) (4/24) [...]

The once minor problem of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has become the world’s most common cause of chronic liver illness and may affect 30% of Americans, says Dr. Kathleen Corey, director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Fatty Liver Clinic. Linked to obesity and diabetes, experts say most people do not know they have fatty liver but [...]

A study showed that arthritis patients treated with COX-2 inhibitors become more prone to stomach ulcers and internal bleeding if they do not take prescribed gastroprotective agents to counter irritation in the stomach and esophagus, which is a side effect of arthritis drugs. The findings contradict another trial showing the same risk for COX-2 inhibitor [...]

People should pay attention to regularly occurring or excessive abdominal discomfort and talk to a physician, says John Potomski Jr., medical director of Osler Geriatrics. He says while there is no specific test for irritable bowel syndrome, but there are ways to reduce symptoms, such as through diet and exercise. Florida Today (Melbourne) (tiered subscription [...]

Physicians and allergy experts say tests for food sensitivities or intolerance that are sold to consumers are not based in science, can lead to false positives and lead people to stop eating harmless foods. Removing and then slowly reintroducing foods to a diet is the best way to identify intolerance, which is an unpleasant reaction [...]

Diagnosing lactose intolerance can be difficult because there is no definitive test and some people incorrectly self-diagnose, registered dietitian Robin Plotkin says. There is no cure for the condition, but Plotkin offers six tips to ease symptoms, including using reduced-lactose products, adding probiotics to the diet or trying colonic adaptation to see if regular ingestion [...]