#LiverHealth

A new study suggests that what you eat and how much you move could shield the liver from some of the damage caused by alcohol. While the precise mechanisms and the strength of protection require more research, the lead finding is clear enough to fuel conversations among Thai families, clinicians, and policymakers about the role of lifestyle in liver health. In plain terms, a diet rich in plants, lean proteins, and whole grains together with regular physical activity may blunt liver inflammation and fat buildup, two key processes that underlie alcohol-related liver disease. The emphasis on lifestyle is not about blaming drinkers; it’s about offering practical, everyday steps that could reduce risk for millions of people who enjoy alcohol in social settings, at family gatherings, or during festive seasons.

A new nationwide survey published in June 2025 has revealed a remarkable reduction in hepatitis C prevalence across Thailand—a development hailed by public health leaders as evidence that the country’s decades-long prevention and screening efforts are working. The research, conducted in four regions of Thailand among over 6,000 participants, found that the current rate of hepatitis C infection is just 0.56%, down from 2.15% in 2004 and 0.94% in 2014. This progress comes even as the World Health Organization warns globally that viral hepatitis deaths are rising, with 1.3 million fatalities each year according to its 2024 Global Hepatitis Report (healio.com), making Thailand’s performance uniquely encouraging (nature.com).

A nationwide survey released in mid-2025 shows a sharp decline in hepatitis C prevalence across Thailand, highlighting decades of prevention and screening success. Conducted across four regions with more than 6,000 participants, the study found an overall infection rate of 0.56 percent, down from 2.15 percent in 2004 and 0.94 percent in 2014. Health authorities view Thailand’s progress as a model of effective public health investment and collaboration.

Hepatitis C is often called the “silent” infection because many people have no symptoms until extensive liver damage occurs. Thai health leaders emphasize broad screening, especially for high-risk groups and individuals born before 1992, the year universal HBV vaccination began for newborns. The Ministry of Public Health has adopted a dual “test-and-treat” approach, offering rapid diagnostic testing, molecular confirmation, and access to direct-acting antivirals that cure up to 95 percent of cases.

A recent health scare involving a woman whose daily use of turmeric supplements nearly led to fatal liver failure is raising alarms about the potential dangers of herbal supplements—a warning for Thai consumers as interest in natural remedies steadily grows. The case, reported by multiple news outlets in July 2025, details how a seemingly healthy 57-year-old woman began experiencing mild abdominal pain, progressing to nausea, dark urine, extreme fatigue, and eventually jaundice—signs of acute liver damage. Doctors later traced her condition to a high-dose turmeric supplement she had begun taking for joint pain, sparking a wider discussion about supplement safety and regulation.

A recent medical case highlights the potential risks of high-dose turmeric capsules used for joint pain. A 57-year-old woman developed acute liver injury after taking a supplement labeled for enhanced absorption with black pepper. She experienced abdominal pain, nausea, dark urine, fatigue, and jaundice, leading to hospitalization. Doctors credit stopping the product and intensive care for preventing a life-threatening outcome.

Turmeric remains a familiar ingredient in Thai cuisine and traditional remedies. Yet the surge in imported and online supplements means many products are far more potent than culinary turmeric. Data from Thai health authorities show a gradual rise in adverse effects linked to dietary supplements, with liver toxicity among the key concerns. This underlines the need for clear warnings and stricter dosage controls across the market.

A large international study shows daily bowel habits reflect overall health and may influence chronic disease risk. Published in July 2024, the research from the Institute for Systems Biology analyzed gut bacteria, blood biomarkers, and genetics in more than 1,400 healthy adults. It identifies a “Goldilocks zone” of one to two bowel movements per day as linked to a healthier gut microbiome and lower markers of kidney and liver stress. The findings underscore how everyday routines can signal long-term wellbeing.

A new international study suggests that your bowel movement routine may be an important barometer for your overall health, with significant implications for chronic disease prevention and health promotion — including for Thais. Published in July 2024 in Cell Reports Medicine by the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), the research reveals that people whose bowel habits fall into a “Goldilocks zone” of one to two bowel movements per day tend to have healthier gut bacteria and lower blood markers for kidney and liver disease, compared to those who go more or less often. This pioneering research, one of the largest to examine digestive habits in healthy adults, highlights how something as ordinary as your poop schedule can serve as a window into long-term wellbeing (Science Alert, ISB Science, WebMD).

A new international study reveals millions in Western countries live with an aggressive form of fatty liver disease without knowing it. The findings, published in a leading medical journal, show a silent, rapidly growing risk of severe liver damage that could strain health systems worldwide. Early intervention could prevent much of this damage, but many people remain undiagnosed.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe progression, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH, formerly NASH), have drawn increasing attention in recent years. NAFLD is often linked to obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles, while MASH involves liver inflammation and scarring that can advance to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer with few early symptoms. New research indicates a large portion of affected individuals are undetected, missing critical chances to protect liver health.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that millions of people in Western countries are unknowingly living with an aggressive form of fatty liver disease, raising the alarm about an epidemic that could soon overwhelm health systems globally. The findings, published in a major international journal and covered by The Guardian, suggest that a silent but rapidly growing number of individuals are at risk of severe liver damage, much of which is preventable with early intervention.

A dramatic rise in cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) linked to herbal and dietary supplements in the United States is prompting renewed scrutiny of the global supplement industry—a warning that Thai consumers should heed as these products grow in popularity at home. Recent research referenced by NBC News highlights an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver transplants in the U.S. over the past 25 years, with experts cautioning that “natural” does not always equal safe (NBC News).

A surge in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) linked to herbal and dietary supplements in the United States is prompting renewed scrutiny of the global supplement industry. This trend matters for Thailand as wellness products gain popularity at home. Research cited by major outlets shows an eightfold increase in supplement-related liver transplants in the U.S. over 25 years, underscoring that “natural” does not always mean safe.

The implications are twofold. First, they challenge the assumption that herbal and dietary supplements are harmless. Second, they highlight health risks from products increasingly marketed in Thailand’s expanding wellness market. Many Thai consumers seek liver support, vitality, and overall wellness through turmeric capsules and herbal blends, making awareness of risks essential.

Daily health supplements, consumed by millions worldwide in a bid for better health and vitality, can quietly put the liver and kidneys at considerable risk, according to recent coverage in the Times of India. As more Thais turn to over-the-counter vitamins, protein powders, and herbal capsules influenced by social media trends and wellness marketing, emerging research is raising red flags about their unregulated and excessive use. This news is particularly relevant in Thailand, where the supplement market has seen rapid expansion, with local surveys indicating nearly one in three urban adults take a supplement daily.

Daily health supplements attract many in Thailand aiming for better vitality, but health experts warn they can stress the liver and kidneys when used excessively or without proper guidance. As Thais increasingly turn to over-the-counter vitamins, protein powders, and herbal capsules influenced by social media, researchers are calling for caution and clearer guidance. Thailand’s supplement market has expanded rapidly, with local surveys showing about one in three urban adults takes a supplement daily.

A new wave of research highlights a troubling trend: more people turning to herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, and an alarming rise in severe liver injury and liver failure linked to these products. Health professionals warn that “natural” does not always mean safe, especially for the liver, the body’s key detox engine.

The trend mirrors a global shift toward wellness, including in Thailand, where fitness routines, organic diets, and vitamin and herbal remedies are increasingly common. Brands promise longer life, weight loss, or stronger immunity. Yet experts warn these products can harm health rather than help, a concern echoed by recent studies in the United States that may have global implications, including Southeast Asia.

A recent wave of research has spotlighted a troubling trend: as more people embrace herbal and dietary supplements for perceived health benefits, cases of severe liver injury and even liver failure connected to these products are climbing at an alarming rate. This trend comes as health experts caution that supplements, frequently advertised as safe and “natural,” can in fact carry significant health risks—particularly to the liver, the body’s vital organ for filtering toxins.

A new study in the Journal of Physiology reveals a strong liver–brain connection: ketones produced by the liver during exercise may support cognitive health, offering hope for those with liver challenges. Researchers from a leading U.S. university showed that when liver cells lose the ability to make ketones, brain energy and learning decline. Remarkably, endurance exercise could reverse these brain changes, hinting at a backup system that helps protect aging minds.

A groundbreaking new study published in the Journal of Physiology has unveiled a striking connection between the liver’s metabolic function and brain health, highlighting the crucial role of liver-produced ketones during exercise—and raising intriguing possibilities for combating cognitive decline, even among those with liver impairments. Conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri, the research demonstrates that when liver cells lose the ability to make ketones, cognitive and mitochondrial function in the brain suffer. Remarkably, endurance exercise was found to reverse these negative effects, suggesting a possible “backup system” that could protect the aging brain and offer new hope to individuals with liver disease (psypost.org).

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Physiology has revealed a remarkable connection between the liver and the brain, suggesting that ketones produced by the liver—especially during exercise—play a key role in keeping the brain healthy and maintaining memory function. The latest research, conducted by a team from the University of Missouri, shows that when the liver’s ability to produce ketones is blocked, rats experience memory deficits and diminished brain mitochondrial function, but that regular endurance training can effectively reverse these cognitive problems, even when ketone production is hampered (psypost.org).

A new study in the Journal of Physiology reveals a strong connection between the liver and the brain. Liver-produced ketones, especially during exercise, appear to support brain health and memory. In rats, hindering the liver’s ketone production led to memory deficits and reduced brain mitochondrial function, while sustained endurance training reversed these effects even when ketone production was impaired. These findings come from researchers at a major U.S. university and were summarized by PsyPost.

A leading Harvard medical expert highlights four snack options that can fit into daily life without harming liver or gut health. For Thai readers navigating busy schedules and the impact of Western snack trends, this guidance offers a practical, science-backed way to snack smarter while staying aligned with local dietary habits.

Public concern in Thailand over liver and digestive health is rising, with NAFLD and digestive disorders becoming more common. These conditions are often linked to high-sugar, high-fat processed foods that are widespread in modern Thai diets. The Harvard doctor’s advice provides a clear path: choose snacks that nourish the body rather than undermine it, a message that resonates with Thailand’s growing emphasis on healthy living.

In an age where snack foods often carry the blame for rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases, a prominent Harvard medical expert has spotlighted four specific snack options that can be enjoyed daily without jeopardizing liver or gut health. This comes as welcome news to Thai readers who are increasingly conscious of both diet-related illnesses and the influence of Western fast food culture on local snacking habits. The advice aligns with broader global trends in nutritional science, which highlight the importance of making mindful snack choices to support overall health.

New research from the University of Missouri shows that exercise still provides clear cognitive benefits even when the brain’s energy supply is down. The study, published in The Journal of Physiology, reveals that physical activity protects and improves thinking skills even if ketone production in the liver is limited. For aging populations in Thailand facing memory concerns and daily stress, this finding adds a practical motivation to move more consistently.

Even when the brain is running low on its regular energy supply, a new study from the University of Missouri reveals that exercise continues to deliver significant benefits—underscoring just how powerful physical activity can be for mental sharpness and cognitive health (https://showme.missouri.edu/2025/exercise-boosts-brain-health-even-when-energy-is-low/). For Thai readers concerned about aging, memory loss, or the daily stresses that sap our mental energy, these findings provide a timely nudge to make movement a routine part of life. The research, recently published in The Journal of Physiology, demonstrates that even when the liver is unable to generate ketones, an essential alternative brain fuel, exercise can still protect and restore cognitive function.

Recent scientific findings are challenging the long-held belief that moderate alcohol consumption is harmless, with robust evidence now demonstrating that even small amounts of alcohol can have significant health effects. For Thai readers who enjoy a social drink, the latest research urges a more cautious approach, echoing a global recalibration of alcohol guidelines in light of rising health concerns (STAT News, Harvard Health Blog). This news resonates in Thailand where alcohol is woven into celebrations and social rituals, yet mounting health issues tied to drinking have stoked concern among health professionals.