What are the causes of liver cancer? What are the benefits of drinking yogurt for liver cancer patients?

According to statistics, about 70% to 80% of liver cancer patients are related to hepatitis B, about 15% to 20% are related to hepatitis C and D, and another 5% of liver cancer patients may be related to alcoholism, parasitic infection, and long-term use of contraceptives. Therefore, to prevent liver cancer, we must first prevent viral hepatitis.

Medical clinical studies have shown that the occurrence of liver cancer is significantly related to hepatitis and cirrhosis. If hepatitis B and C are not treated in time, they can easily turn into chronic hepatitis and gradually develop into cirrhosis. Other studies have shown that 70% to 100% of patients with cirrhosis can develop into liver cancer. There are currently 120 million hepatitis B surface antigen carriers in my country, accounting for about 30% of the world's population. Among them, 3 million people will develop chronic hepatitis, about 300,000 will develop cirrhosis, and eventually some hepatitis B patients will develop into liver cancer. Experts point out that to prevent liver cancer, you must first prevent hepatitis, and the key to preventing hepatitis is reflected in people's daily lives.

To prevent liver cancer, we must first prevent viral hepatitis

The transformation process of liver cancer is roughly as follows: hepatitis → chronic hepatitis → cirrhosis → liver cancer. Researchers have confirmed that hepatitis B, C and D viruses, which are mainly transmitted through blood, are closely related to liver cancer. According to statistics, about 70% to 80% of liver cancer patients are related to hepatitis B, about 15% to 20% are related to hepatitis C and D, and another 5% of liver cancer patients may be related to alcoholism, parasitic infection, and long-term use of contraceptives. Therefore, to prevent liver cancer, we must first prevent viral hepatitis.

Who are the high-risk groups for liver cancer?

my country is located in the high-incidence area of ​​liver cancer on the Pacific coast of Asia. Liver cancer is common regardless of age, but it is more common in people over 40 years old, and it is more common in men than in women. Like other cancers, liver cancer is hereditary. If a person's parents or siblings have liver cancer, the chance of developing liver cancer is also higher than that of others, up to 56.9%. Men over 35 years old who are infected with hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus are at high risk of liver cancer.

What are the causes of liver cancer?

1. Chronic liver disease: viral hepatitis, in particular, is closely related to the onset of liver cancer and is called the "catalyst" of liver cancer by the medical community. Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are the most important. Data show that more than 30% of liver cancer patients have a history of chronic hepatitis, and more than half of them are positive for Australia antibody (HbsAg). Therefore, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are regarded as one of the cancer-promoting factors, which is the cause of liver cancer.

2. Long-term consumption of pickled, fried, smoked and grilled foods can also induce liver cancer: the nitrosamines contained in pickled foods and the 3,4-benzopyrene contained in fried and smoked foods can induce cancer, so everyone should try to reduce the consumption of pickled, fried, and smoked foods such as pickled meat, grilled meat, grilled sausages, salted fish, and pickled vegetables in daily life.

3. Cirrhosis: Medical observations have found that about 50% to 90% of liver cancer patients have varying degrees of liver cirrhosis, so cirrhosis is also considered a cancer-promoting factor. Therefore, patients with cirrhosis should undergo regular checkups to prevent the occurrence of liver cancer.

4. Eating spoiled food can also induce liver cancer: Studies have found that moldy food will produce a toxic metabolite in its mold - aflatoxin, which is the strongest biological carcinogen discovered today. Therefore, people should avoid eating moldy foods such as moldy peanuts, corn, rice, dried potatoes, dried radishes, dairy products, and soy products.

5. Water pollution: Severe pollution of drinking water is one of the important causes of liver cancer, especially polluted ditch water, followed by river water, and well water is the lowest. Therefore, in villages without tap water facilities, drinking well water should be encouraged.

6. Immune status: Some people believe that the plasma of liver cancer patients contains a blocking factor that can inhibit cellular immunity and protect liver cancer cells from being killed by immune cells. It has been proven that alpha-fetoprotein (AFp) can inhibit the phagocytosis of lymphocytes and macrophages.

7. Gene mutation: In recent years, some people believe that mutagens and viruses in the environment stimulate the activation of liver cell division response pathways, causing point mutations and gene translocations in cells, which are possible factors that accelerate the proliferation of cancer cells.

8. Other factors: Overnutrition (macronutrients) or nutritional deficiency (such as vitamin A, B1 deficiency), hemochromatosis, parasitic infection and heredity are also risk factors for liver cancer.

What are the benefits of drinking yogurt for liver cancer patients?

Yogurt contains a lot of high-quality protein and a variety of nutrients, making it very suitable for liver cancer patients. This is because the gastrointestinal tract of liver cancer patients is often in a state of congestion, and they often choose foods with little stimulation in their daily diet. Compared with milk, which can only be absorbed by the human body after fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, yogurt itself has been fermented, which greatly reduces the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, yogurt contains more amino acids than milk.

Yogurt contains lactase and a large amount of yeast, which can inhibit and kill putrefactive bacteria in the intestines and reduce harmful substances produced by bacterial decomposition of protein in the intestines. At the same time, due to the massive reproduction and growth of lactic acid bacteria, the intestines become acidic, which is more beneficial to the condition of liver cancer patients.

A research report published in the International Journal of Oncology by researchers from the Italian National Cancer Institute also pointed out that drinking more yogurt can reduce people's risk of liver cancer. If you eat yogurt every day, the risk of liver cancer will be reduced by 78% compared to ordinary people.

The dietary principle for liver cancer patients is to eat small and frequent meals, and the same applies to drinking yogurt. Experts recommend drinking yogurt 2 to 3 times a day, and the total amount of yogurt consumed per day should not exceed 300 ml. Generally, it should be taken after meals, not before going to bed.

In addition, liver cancer patients should eat more liver-protecting foods, such as soft-shelled turtles and mushrooms, because of the decline in liver detoxification function. Liver cancer patients with poor coagulation function should eat more foods that have blood-enriching and hemostatic effects, or appropriately increase foods containing vitamin K and vitamin C.

Dietary principles for patients with liver cancer

1. Low fat and high protein

A high-fat diet can affect and aggravate the condition, while a low-fat diet can alleviate symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension in liver cancer patients. Liver cancer patients have poor appetite and eat less. If they do not have a balanced diet, they must increase the calories of the diet and eat easily digestible fats, sweets (such as honey, royal jelly), sucrose, vegetable oils, and cream.

Liver cancer patients should eat more protein-rich foods, especially high-quality protein, to prevent albumin reduction. However, when liver cancer patients have poor liver function, they should control their protein intake to avoid excessive protein intake that may induce hepatic encephalopathy.

2. Replenishing Qi and strengthening the spleen, nourishing Yin and blood

After liver cancer surgery or chemotherapy or severe exhaustion, patients often suffer from general fatigue, soreness of limbs, poor appetite and spontaneous sweating due to damage to Qi and blood. The diet for liver cancer should focus on invigorating Qi and strengthening the spleen, nourishing Yin and nourishing blood.

Avoid eating hard, raw and cold food. This is one of the dietary precautions for liver cancer.

3. Balanced diet

Liver cancer patients consume a lot of energy, so their diet must ensure adequate nutrition. The simplest way to measure the nutritional status of patients is whether they can maintain their weight. To maintain a normal weight, the best way is to maintain a balanced diet, requiring patients to eat more fresh vegetables, and half of which should be green leafy vegetables.

4. Easy to digest

Liver cancer patients often have symptoms of indigestion such as loss of appetite, nausea, and bloating. Therefore, the diet for liver cancer patients should include easily digestible food to aid digestion and relieve pain. The food must include a certain amount of staple food, such as wheat flour, sweet potatoes, millet, and corn; vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, lettuce, kiwis, cauliflower, and rapeseed; cattle, soy products, and milk and dairy products. Do not eat too cold, too hot, or too full.

Liver cancer patients often experience nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. They should eat light food that can stimulate the appetite and reduce reflux, and avoid eating heavy, greasy food.