Latest news with #CyriacAbbyPhilips
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Ghee, butter, coconut oil bad for liver? Doctor recommends switching to seed oils
Challenging traditional beliefs, liver specialists now advise replacing ghee, butter, and coconut oil with refined seed oils for cooking and cold-pressed options for raw consumption. This shift aims to reduce liver fat, improve lipid profiles, and lower internal inflammation, particularly for those prone to fatty liver disease. Studies suggest saturated fats worsen insulin resistance and elevate liver triglycerides. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why are saturated fats being flagged by liver doctors? How should you actually use seed oils in daily cooking? Can changing oil alone really improve liver test results? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Most kitchens use ghee , butter, or coconut oil but could these beloved fats be harming your liver ? A liver expert now recommends switching to refined and cold-pressed seed oils for improved liver health. His advice challenges many of our long-held beliefs about "traditional fats."The liver specialists reportedly warn that using ghee, coconut oil, and butter on a regular basis can harm liver health, particularly in people who are predisposed to fatty liver now recommend usingfor cooking andfor raw consumption to improve liver function and reduce internal Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist who goes by TheLiverDoc on social media, presents a completely different viewpoint on liver health. He wrote on X, "Switch from saturated fats like coconut oil, clarified butter (ghee), lard and butter to refined (for cooking), unrefined and cold pressed (for direct use) seed oils rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated to experience improved liver tests and reduce liver fat,' as per a report by The Indian Express.'Increasing clinical research supports this claim," says Dr. Manoj Gupta, head of PSRI Hospital's Liver Transplant and Surgical Gastroenterology department, in an interview with The Indian is well known that saturated fats, such as those in ghee, butter, coconut oil, and lard, can lead to the accumulation of liver fat, particularly in those who are either at risk for or have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).High consumption of saturated fats has been shown to worsen insulin resistance, raise hepatic triglyceride levels, and activate inflammatory pathways in the liver, according to studies published in journals such as Hepatology and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism."While traditional fats like ghee and coconut oil are culturally significant and consumed in moderation in many households, excessive and regular intake, especially in the context of a sedentary lifestyle and calorie-dense diet, can worsen metabolic health, including liver function," continues Dr. Jagadish Hiremath, a public health responses, he says, can differ, and the total dietary pattern, lifestyle, and pre-existing metabolic risk factors are more important than any one methods have an impact on the healthfulness of seed oils. Safer for deep-frying and sautéing, refined seed oils, such as canola, rice bran, or sunflower oil, are treated to eliminate impurities and tolerate high cooking temperatures without contrast, cold-pressed or unrefined oils are extracted by mechanical pressure without the use of heat or chemicals, preserving antioxidants, phytosterols, and vitamin E, all of which are good for the liver and heart but are heat-sensitive and best eaten people with fatty liver disease, substituting monounsaturated and polyunsaturated seed oils for saturated fats has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in terms of lowering liver fat and improving lipid advantages become even more noticeable when regular exercise and a lower sugar intake are added, making this one of the most affordable and easily accessible liver health in excess, they can increase liver fat and inflammation—particularly if you already have a fatty liver or live a sedentary recommend refined seed oils for cooking and cold-pressed oils, such as flaxseed or sunflower, for raw use.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Ghee, butter, coconut oil bad for liver? Doctor recommends switching to seed oils
Most kitchens use ghee , butter, or coconut oil but could these beloved fats be harming your liver? A liver expert now recommends switching to refined and cold-pressed seed oils for improved liver health. His advice challenges many of our long-held beliefs about "traditional fats." The liver specialists reportedly warn that using ghee, coconut oil, and butter on a regular basis can harm liver health, particularly in people who are predisposed to fatty liver disease. Doctors now recommend using refined seed oils for cooking and cold-pressed oils for raw consumption to improve liver function and reduce internal inflammation. Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist who goes by TheLiverDoc on social media, presents a completely different viewpoint on liver health. He wrote on X, "Switch from saturated fats like coconut oil, clarified butter (ghee), lard and butter to refined (for cooking), unrefined and cold pressed (for direct use) seed oils rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated to experience improved liver tests and reduce liver fat,' as per a report by The Indian Express. ALSO READ: Can Omega-3 lower blood sugar? One woman's 3-month prediabetes reversal sparks hope Live Events Why are saturated fats being flagged by liver doctors? 'Increasing clinical research supports this claim," says Dr. Manoj Gupta, head of PSRI Hospital's Liver Transplant and Surgical Gastroenterology department, in an interview with The Indian Express. It is well known that saturated fats, such as those in ghee, butter, coconut oil, and lard, can lead to the accumulation of liver fat, particularly in those who are either at risk for or have been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). High consumption of saturated fats has been shown to worsen insulin resistance, raise hepatic triglyceride levels, and activate inflammatory pathways in the liver, according to studies published in journals such as Hepatology and The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. "While traditional fats like ghee and coconut oil are culturally significant and consumed in moderation in many households, excessive and regular intake, especially in the context of a sedentary lifestyle and calorie-dense diet, can worsen metabolic health, including liver function," continues Dr. Jagadish Hiremath, a public health intellectual. Individual responses, he says, can differ, and the total dietary pattern, lifestyle, and pre-existing metabolic risk factors are more important than any one food. ALSO READ: Cow's milk makes a comeback! New study says it's healthier than oat milk after all How should you actually use seed oils in daily cooking? Processing methods have an impact on the healthfulness of seed oils. Safer for deep-frying and sautéing, refined seed oils, such as canola, rice bran, or sunflower oil, are treated to eliminate impurities and tolerate high cooking temperatures without degrading. In contrast, cold-pressed or unrefined oils are extracted by mechanical pressure without the use of heat or chemicals, preserving antioxidants, phytosterols, and vitamin E, all of which are good for the liver and heart but are heat-sensitive and best eaten raw. Can changing oil alone really improve liver test results? In people with fatty liver disease, substituting monounsaturated and polyunsaturated seed oils for saturated fats has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in terms of lowering liver fat and improving lipid profiles. These advantages become even more noticeable when regular exercise and a lower sugar intake are added, making this one of the most affordable and easily accessible liver health interventions. FAQs Are ghee and coconut oil bad for the liver? Yes, in excess, they can increase liver fat and inflammation—particularly if you already have a fatty liver or live a sedentary lifestyle. Which oils should I use instead? Doctors recommend refined seed oils for cooking and cold-pressed oils, such as flaxseed or sunflower, for raw use.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Hepatologist warns against taking zinc supplements for immunity, diabetes or heart health: ‘No evidence of benefits'
Do you take zinc supplements? Many people try to up their nutritional intake by supplementing their diets with extra vitamins and minerals, including zinc. But before you pop that pill, it is quite necessary to reach out to a physician and educate yourself. Many people take zinc supplements to boost immunity, treat the common cold, childhood diarrhoea, COVID-19 and other infections, and improve eye health.(Adobe Stock (For Representation)) Also Read | NHS surgeon shares what happens when you eat nuts every day: 'Your brain and gut will thank you' In a post shared on June 26, Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, aka The Liver Doc (a hepatologist), shared a guideline to taking these supplements, warning that popping them may not be as good as many believe. 'Are you on a Zinc supplement? Then please read this,' he wrote. Does taking zinc supplements actually have any benefits? According to the hepatologist, large prevention guidelines found no overall benefits to taking the supplement. Dr Philips revealed, 'The US Preventive Services Task Force reviews every good trial it can find on vitamins and minerals and whether they stop cancer or heart disease. It says there isn't enough evidence to show any benefit from zinc (alone or in multivitamins) for people who are already healthy.' He added that the trials also warn that more isn't automatically better because high doses can cause harm. He pointed out that many people take zinc supplements to boost immunity, treat common cold, childhood diarrhoea, COVID-19 and other infections, and improve eye health. However, he pointed out that the evidence is insufficient to recommend zinc supplements, citing various research studies and trials. For instance, Dr Philips cited the 2024 Cochrane review, which pooled 26 randomised studies and found that taking zinc every day does not stop you catching a cold or boost your immunity. Heart disease, diabetes and death Dr Philips pointed out that many take zinc supplements for heart disease and diabetes. However, meta-analyses show zinc supplements sometimes nudge blood sugar or cholesterol numbers, but none of them show fewer heart attacks, strokes or deaths. 'The bottom line: changing lab values doesn't matter if real-world outcomes don't improve, and current evidence hasn't crossed that line,' he stated. He concluded that for everyday healthy adults, swallowing extra zinc (no matter which high-tech form) doesn't prevent colds, COVID-19, cancer, heart disease, eye disease, or just getting sick. 'The only clearly proven medical role is as a drug for rare copper-overload disorders or for people who are demonstrably zinc-deficient. Eat a balanced diet and save your money on routine zinc supplements,' he suggested. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
News18
2 days ago
- Health
- News18
Amid Pune Woman's ‘Terrifying' Viral Video, Doctor Explains Why Urine Should Not Be Put In Eyes
In response to the Pune woman's urine eye-wash method, the health expert has called it "depressing and terrifying." A shocking video of a Pune woman demonstrating an unusual way of cleaning her eyes with her own urine has caused quite a stir on social media. The method quickly drew criticism from multi-award-winning hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as TheLiverDoc, who reshared the clip on his X (formerly Twitter) handle and issued a clear warning: 'Please don't put your urine inside your eyes. Urine is not sterile." He added, 'Boomer aunties trying to be cool on Instagram is depressing… and terrifying." The video in question was originally posted by Nupur Pittie, a self-described health coach, who introduced the unexpected practice under the title 'Urine Eye Wash – Nature's Own Medicine." In the clip, she gave a live demonstration of rinsing her eyes with her own urine in the morning, claiming it helped with issues like dryness, redness and irritation. According to Moneycontrol, Philips even took to Pittie's Instagram to directly comment on her video. 'You need help, woman. This is not normal. If you are trying to ride the social media 'following and like wave,' this is not the way. Get help," he wrote. One wrote, 'How do people justify putting the body's waste back into the body?" While another added, 'Someone tell this aunty that the first urine of the morning actually contains more bacteria than urine passed later in the day. Why? Because it sits in the bladder overnight, giving bacteria more time to multiply. Putting that into your eyes isn't just misguided—it's downright dangerous." Another comment read, 'The human body is very, very pro-survival. If urine were so useful to the body, it wouldn't throw it away. They are literally collecting the body waste and trying to reuse it. I mean, what kind of poverty mindset is this?" The incident has reignited a broader conversation about the promotion of unverified health remedies online, adding to the ongoing debate around responsible social media use. First Published:
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Hepatologist says 'Ayurvedic advice of combining dairy and fruit being toxic is nonsense': Here is why
Some people may experience digestive issues or discomfort when combining dairy and fruit, while others may not. Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, a hepatologist, who is known as The Liver Doc on social media, took to Instagram on June 13 to share a post in which he explained that combining dairy and fruit may not be as 'toxic' as some Ayurvedic practitioners claim. Also read | Should you eat traditional Indian dahi or Greek yoghurt? Dietician shares which is better for vegetarians In his caption, Dr Philips wrote, 'Time to lay these traditional dogmatic views to rest through critical thinking and evidence. Stop following nutrition advice from Ayurvedic 'experts'.' In the accompanying post, Dr Philips gave 'examples of Ayurveda loving quacks who promote this nonsense', and said: 'Pairing dairy with fruit is safe and, in many contexts, healthier than eating either food alone.' He added, 'The Ayurvedic prohibition against the mix is based on metaphysical ideas such as viruddha ahara (incompatible foods producing ama toxins) that have no biochemical correlate and no demonstrable toxicity in humans. A Canadian team sifted through dozens of trials on yoghurt and fruit, then argued that pairing the two creates a 'synbiotic' snack: fruit fibre feeds yoghurt's live bacteria, while yoghurt's protein and fat help your body hang on to the fruit's vitamins and polyphenols. They concluded the combo could cut weight gain, diabetes risk and heart disease if it replaces sugary snacks.' Sharing further details, Dr Philips said: '44 adults with metabolic syndrome drank two 12 oz smoothies a day for 6 weeks. Each smoothie contained freeze-dried blueberries blended with skimmed milk and yoghurt. Blood pressure did not budge, but the ability of arteries to dilate rose by about 4 percent in the blueberry group and fell in the placebo group. Better endothelial function means lower long-term heart disease risk.' A post shared by The Liver Doc (Cyriac Abby Philips) (@theliverdr) Dr Philips went on to give the examples of more such studies and said, 'Bottom line: both fruit-plus-yoghurt and fruit-plus-milk end up enhancing, not diminishing, the antioxidants you can actually absorb,' adding, 'Fresh fruit blended with plain yoghurt together delivered more antioxidant activity than the two would add up to on their own. Fruit mixed with milk revealed improved/enhanced 'healthy compounds' delivery into gut.' According to him, these studies collectively show: ⦿ Nutrient synergy is real: Milk fat boosts carotenoid absorption; milk protein protects berry polyphenols. ⦿ Metabolic markers improve, not worsen: Human smoothie trials show better endothelial function without glucose without glucose spikes. ⦿ Safety is a non-issue: Billions of fruit and dairy servings are consumed annually, and the only 'toxicity' paper finds trivial rat changes under artificial conditions. Dr Philips also listed 'practical takeaways': ⦿ Use plain, unsweetened fermented dairy (Greek yoghurt, kefir, lassi) ⦿ Pair it with colourful fruit – mango, papaya, berries – for maximum micronutrient gain ⦿ Stick to roughly equal volumes – for instance, 150 gram dairy plus 150 gram fruit ⦿ Lactose-sensitive, go lactose-free or use fortified soy/coconut yoghurt – the fruit pairing still helps ⦿ Ignore the Ayurvedic warning – it is not backed by modern toxicology or controlled trails Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
