THE LIVER

How Your Liver Works

Unlike the lungs or heart, we cannot feel

our liver working. Many people don’t think about their liver unless or until there is something wrong with it. Your liver is an incredibly hard-working organ with more than 500 different vital functions. Only your brain has more functions than the liver. Many of the liver’s functions are related to your metabolism. These metabolic functions allow you to convert food to energy, break down food to basic building blocks needed by your body and eliminate waste.

The liver…

Produces bile

Bile is a yellow-green acidic liquid that helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion

Produces proteins for blood plasma

Blood plasma is a fluid which transports blood components (red and white blood cells and platelets), nutrients, hormones, proteins, and waste products

Produces cholesteroland special proteins to help carry fats through the body

Converts unused glucoseinto glycogen for storage

When needed, glycogen can be converted back to glucose for energy

Balances blood sugar and makesglucose as needed

Regulates levels of amino acidsin blood

Amino acids form the building blocks of proteins

Stores iron processed from hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen

Converts poisonous ammonia, made during digestion, to urea

Processes drugs and other poisonous substances to your body

Regulates blood clotting (or our ability to stop bleeding)

Fights infections by making immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream

Removes bilirubinfrom red blood cellsThe liver removes harmful substances from our body often by breaking them down to smaller byproducts. These byproducts leave the liver through bile or blood – byproducts in bile are removed from the body through feces while those in the blood are filtered out by the kidneys and removed through urine. This is why Hepatitis or liver disease can devastate a person’s health.

HEPATITIS

What is the meaning of hepatitis?

HEPATITIS Is a combination of two words “HEPA” and “TITIS”. It is derived from the Greek word hêpar (ἧπαρ), meaning “liver”, and -itis (-ῖτις), meaning “inflammation”.

So Hepatitis simply means Inflammation (swelling) of the liver. It is usually the first stage of liver disease. Inflammation is generally a sign that the body is trying to fight an infection or heal an injury.  When liver disease is present, inflammation continues over time.  This leads to scarring of the liver. Many people with hepatitis have no symptoms; however, some may feel tired or have abdominal (belly area) discomfort. others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice), poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Hepatitis is acute if it resolves within six months, and chronic if it lasts longer than six months. Hepatitis is often diagnosed through blood and imaging tests. If the liver disease  is diagnosed and treated successfully at this stage, the inflammation may go away. Chronic hepatitis may progress to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, and liver cancer.                                           

                                                          CAUSES OF HEPATITIS

What causes Hepatitis?

The 8 major causes include (1) heavy alcohol use,  (2) toxins and chemicals, (3) medications, (4) Food and drinks

 (5) sedentary lifestyle and Bad eating habits, (6) autoimmune diseases, (7) genetic factors and (8) Infections (bacterial , parasites, viral)

(1) EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL INTAKE (ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS)

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant cause of hepatitis and is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis. Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by drinking too much alcohol. The liver breaks down alcohol and  When alcohol gets processed in the liver, it produces highly toxic chemicals. These chemicals can injure the liver cells. if, over time, you drink more alcohol than the liver can process, it can become seriously damaged. This ranges in order of severity and reversibility from alcoholic steatosis (least severe, most reversible), alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer (most severe, least reversible). Alcoholic hepatitis usually develops over years-long exposure to alcohol, occurring in 10 to 20% of alcoholics. The most important risk factors for the development of alcoholic hepatitis are quantity and duration of alcohol intake. Long-term alcohol intake in excess of 80 grams of alcohol a day in men and 40 grams a day in women is associated with development of alcoholic hepatitis (1 beer or 4 ounces of wine is equivalent to 12g of alcohol)^. Alcoholic hepatitis can vary from asymptomatic hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) to symptoms of acute or chronic hepatitis to liver failure.

What are possible risk factors for alcoholic hepatitis?

Risk factors include:

• having genetic factors that affect how the body processes alcohol
• living with liver infections or other liver disorders, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hemochromatosis
• malnutrition
• having a higher body weight
• timing of drinking in relation to eating (drinking during mealtimes lowers the risk of developing alcoholic hepatitis)

What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?

The following are the most common symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis:

• Belly (abdomen) tenderness or pain over the liver
• Nausea
• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds 
• Poor appetite
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Weight loss
• Tiredness and weakness
• Fever
• Hepatomegaly
• Fatty liver

Alcoholic hepatitis usually develops over time with continued drinking. But severe alcoholic hepatitis can develop suddenly. It can quickly lead to liver failure and death.

The symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis may look like other health conditions or problems. Always see a doctor for a diagnosis.

 What are the complications of alcoholic hepatitis?

Many people with alcoholic hepatitis are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and many have gallstones. They are also at increased risk for liver cancer. If you continue to drink alcohol, the liver will continue to be damaged. Over time, cirrhosis will develop.

Complications of alcoholic hepatitis, which result from severe liver damage, relate to scar tissue. Scar tissue can slow blood flow through your liver, increasing pressure in a major blood vessel (portal vein), and the buildup of toxins. Complications include:

• Enlarged veins (varices).Blood that can’t flow freely through the portal vein can back up into other blood vessels in the stomach and esophagus. These blood vessels have thin walls and are likely to bleed if filled with too much blood. Heavy bleeding in the upper stomach or esophagus is life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.
• Fluid that accumulates in the abdomen might become infected and require treatment with antibiotics. Ascites isn’t life-threatening but are usually a sign of advanced alcoholic hepatitis or cirrhosis.
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy).A damaged liver has trouble removing toxins from your body. The buildup of toxins can damage your brain. Severe hepatic encephalopathy can result in coma.
• Kidney failure.A damaged liver can affect blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in damage to those organs.
• This scarring of the liver can lead to liver failure.

How can I prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis?

You might reduce your risk of alcoholic hepatitis if you:

• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.For healthy adults, moderate drinking means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger. The only certain way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis is to avoid all alcohol.
• Protect yourself from hepatitis B and C.Hepatitis B and C  are infectious liver diseases caused by a viruses. If Untreated, it can lead to cirrhosis. If you have hepatitis B or C and drink alcohol, you’re far more likely to develop cirrhosis than if you didn’t drink.
• Check before mixing medications and alcohol.Ask your doctor if it’s safe to drink alcohol when taking your prescription medications. Read the warning labels on over-the-counter medications. Don’t drink alcohol when taking medications that warn of complications when combined with alcohol — especially pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

(2) Toxins or Toxic Hepatitis

What is Toxic Hepatitis?

Toxic hepatitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the liver caused by exposure to toxins from expired foods,  adulterated foods, expired drinks, expired drugs or drug over dose and chemicals from the environment. Exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace, such as dry cleaning solvent carbon tetrachloride, a substance called vinyl chloride (used to make plastics), the herbicide paraquat and a group of industrial chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls are  common cause of toxic hepatitis. Chemicals can enter the environment from many different sources such as landfills, incinerators, tanks, drums, or factories. Cars, trucks, and buses emit exhaust gases while in operation. Industrial and manufacturing processes create solid and hazardous waste. Some wastes contain chemicals that are hazardous to people and the environment. Exposure can occur through ingesting a chemical, breathing it in, or through contact with the skin. Some of these Chemicals include The WHO list of 10 chemicals of public health concern:

• Air pollution
• Arsenic
• Asbestos
• Benzene
• Cadmium
• Dioxins and dioxin-like substances
• Inadequate or excess fluoride
• Lead
• Mercury
• Highly Hazardous Pesticides

 Other source of harmful toxic exposure is tobacco Smoking.

SMOKING

Direct smoking and second hand smoking can increase the risk of both liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. The toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause inflammation and eventual cirrhosis. Smoking also promotes the production of cytokines, chemicals that cause even more inflammation and damage to liver cells. Another concern: In people with hepatitis B or C, smoking can increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer.

Is Secondhand Smoke as Dangerous as Smoking a Cigarette?

Secondhand smoke refers to the fumes that are emitted when smokers use:

• cigarettes
• pipes
• cigars
• other tobacco products

Firsthand smoking and secondhand smoke both cause serious health effects. While directly smoking is worse, the two have similar adverse health effects.

Secondhand smoke is also called:

• side-stream smoke
• environmental smoke
• passive smoke
• involuntary smoke

Nonsmokers who inhale secondhand smoke are affected by chemicals contained in the smoke.

According to the WHO, there are over 7,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke. In all, at least 69 are cancerous. Over 250 are harmful in other ways.

Fluids such as blood and urine in nonsmokers might test positive for nicotine, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. The longer you’re exposed to secondhand smoke, the greater the risk you are of inhaling these toxic chemicals.

Exposure to secondhand smoke occurs anywhere someone might be smoking. These places can include:

• bars
• cars
• homes
• parties
• recreational areas
• restaurants
• workplaces

Overall,  WHO estimates that 1.2 million premature deaths per year are related to secondhand smoke worldwide.

This is a serious health concern that can affect both adults and children who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

The only way to eliminate such risks is to stay away from tobacco smoke entirely.

How does secondhand smoke affect nonsmokers?

Secondhand smoke damages the body in many different ways. Adults exposed to secondhand smoke may experience:

• Cardiovascular (heart, veins and arteries) disease like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.
• Lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and asthma.
• Increased risks of lung cancer and cancers in the brain, bladder, stomach, breast and more.
• Children exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to experience:
• Frequent coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath or other breathing problems.
• Frequent ear infections.
• Fatty liver Disease
• Frequent and more severe asthma attacks.
• Respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Damage to eyes (like cataracts) and teeth (like tooth decay).
• Learning and behavior problems.
• SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

When does secondhand smoke damage start?

Studies have shown that damage from secondhand smoke occurs in as little as five minutes:

• After five minutes: Arteries becomes less flexible, just like they do in a person who is smoking a cigarette.
• After 20-30 minutes: Blood starts clotting, and fat deposits in blood vessels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
• After two hours: An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) can develop and trigger a heart attack or other serious cardiac problems.

Can inhalation of secondhand smoke be treated?

There is no treatment for breathing in secondhand smoke. But there are ways to manage your exposure and treat conditions related to secondhand smoke inhalation.

If you are regularly near secondhand smoke, you can reduce the danger by:

• Moving away from the smoker and finding a smoke-free place.
• Making sure guests to your home know they cannot smoke inside.
• Not letting passengers smoke in your car — even with the window down.

Your healthcare provider may treat specific symptoms or diseases caused by secondhand smoke exposure. For example, you may need medications to manage high blood pressure or inhalers to treat asthma or COPD.

MEDICATIONS/ DRUGS

What is drug-induced hepatitis?

Drug-induced hepatitis is a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the liver that is caused by a harmful (toxic) amount of certain medicines. The liver helps to break down certain medicines in your blood. If there is too much medicine in your blood for your liver to break down, your liver can become badly damaged. This can lead to drug-induced hepatitis. It is caused when you have a harmful or toxic amount of some medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies, or food supplements. In most cases, you may be taking a medicine for several months before it reaches a toxic level and affects your liver. This is especially true if you take multiple medications or take more than the recommended dose of medication. But the disease can also happen if you take too much of some medicines, such as acetaminophen. In this case, it can happen quickly. Other times it is an allergic reaction. When a person has an allergic reaction to a drug, liver inflammation occurs due to the immune system’s attempts at fighting back the drugs. Medications come in various forms such as Tablets, Capsules, Liquid, Topical (creams, lotions, ointment), Suppositories, Drops (eye, ear, nose), Inhalers, Injections, Implants, Skin Patches etc.These medications include prescription medications, Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, herbal and dietary supplements. Many types of drugs can cause liver injury, including :

*PAIN KILLERS such as paracetamol,  ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin and naproxen .

*ANTIBIOTICS such as isoniazid, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanate(Augmentin), erythromycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole;

*ANTICONVULSANTS such as valproate and phenytoin;

*CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING such as

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Lovastatin (Altoprev)
• Pitavastatin (Livalo, Zypitamag)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor, Ezallor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

 *STEROIDS such as oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids (man-made medicines that are like the male sex hormone testosterone ); and

* ANTI-RETROVIRAL therapy used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Of these, amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is the most common cause of drug-induced liver injury, and paracetamol toxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States and Europe.

Herbs and supplements. herbal and dietary supplements, can also cause hepatitis. Some herbs considered dangerous to the liver include aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, aloe vera, saw palmetto, Germander, Pennyroyal, comfrey, kava, ephedra and  some dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, bodybuilding, or improvements in sexual function, general well-being, or mental acuity.

There are many others. Children can also develop liver damage if they mistake vitamin supplements for candy and take large doses. Keep in mind that not all “natural” or “herbal” supplements are safe. Taking an expired drug can also increase your risk of hepatitis. Many medications can damage your liver, especially if taken frequently or combined with alcohol.

DRUG ABUSE:The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts can also damage your liver.

Prescription/medication Errors.

A medication error is defined as “any preventable event that may cause or lead

to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer,” 

Medication errors can occur throughout the medication-use system. Such as, when prescribing a drug, upon entering information into a computer system, when the drug is being prepared or dispensed, or when the drug is given to or taken by a patient. So Doctors, nurses,  pharmacists or Medicine Counter Assistants, care givers and patients are all involved.

Medication errors refer to mistakes in prescribing, dispensing and giving medications. They injure hundreds of thousands of people every year in the United States. Yet most medication errors can be prevented. How can you protect yourself and your family?

One of the best ways to reduce your risk of a medication error is to take an active role in your own health care. Learn about the medications you take — including possible side effects. Never hesitate to ask questions or share concerns with your doctor, pharmacist and other health care providers.

What exactly are medication errors?

Medication errors are preventable events due to the inappropriate use of medications. Medication errors that cause harm are called preventable adverse drug events. If a medication error occurred, but didn’t hurt anyone, it’s called a potential adverse drug event. An example of a medication error is taking an over-the-counter product that contains acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) when you’re already taking a prescription pain medicine that contains this exact ingredient. This mistake could cause you to take more than the recommended dose of acetaminophen, putting yourself at risk of liver damage.

Another example of a possible medication error is taking a depression medication called fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) with a migraine drug called sumatriptan (Imitrex). Both medicines affect levels of a brain chemical called serotonin. Taking them together may lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of the dangerous drug interaction include confusion, agitation, rapid heartbeat and increased

body temperature, among others.

How do medication errors happen?

Medication errors can happen to anyone in any place, including your own home and at the doctor’s office, hospital, pharmacy and senior living facility. Kids are especially at high risk for medication errors because they typically need different drug doses than adults.

Knowing what you’re up against can help you play it safe. The most common causes of medication errors are:

• Poor communication between your doctors
• Poor communication between you and your doctors
• Drug names that sound alike and medications that look alike
• Medical abbreviations
• Patient names that look alike
• Unclear hand writing from Doctors

Know how to prevent medication errors

Knowledge is your best defense. If you don’t understand something your doctor says, ask for an explanation. Whenever you start a new medication, make sure you know the answers to these questions:

• What is the brand or generic name of the medication?
• What is the medication supposed to do? How long will it be until I see results?
• What is the dose? How long should I take it?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• What should I do if I accidentally take more than the recommended dose?
• Are there any foods, drinks, other medications or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?

• What are the possible side effects? What should I do if they occur?
• Will this new medication interfere with my other medication(s)? If so, how?

Your doctor can help prevent medication errors by using a computer to enter and print (or digitally send) any prescription details, instead of hand writing one.

Participate in medication reconciliation

Asking questions is essential, but it isn’t enough. Your Doctor can follow a process called medication reconciliation to significantly decrease your risk of medication errors.

Medication reconciliation is a safety strategy that involves comparing the list of medications your Doctor currently has with the list of medications you are currently taking. This process is done to avoid medication errors such as:

• Missing medications (omissions)
• Duplicate medications
• Dosing errors
• Drug interactions

Medication reconciliation should be done at every transition of care in which new medications are ordered or existing orders are rewritten. Transitions in care include changes in setting (such as being admitted or discharged from the hospital), health care provider or level of care.

Sharing your most up-to-date information with your health care providers gives the

clearest picture of your condition and helps avoid medication mistakes.

Here’s what you need to tell your health care providers:

• The name and strength of all medications you’re taking and when you take them, including prescription medications, herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines and anything received intravenously, including diagnostic and contrast agents, radioactive medications, feeding tube supplements and blood products

Any medications that you’re allergic to or that have caused problems for you in the past

• Whether you have any chronic or serious health problems
• If you might be pregnant or you’re trying to become pregnant

Avoid these mistakes

The following medication errors have happened to some people. Don’t make these same mistakes:

• Confusing eardrops and eyedrops.Always double-check the label. If a medication says “otic,” it’s for the ears. If it says “ophthalmic,” it’s for the eyes.
• Chewing nonchewables.Don’t assume chewing a pill is as good as swallowing it. Some medications should never be chewed, cut or crushed. Doing so may change how they’re absorbed by the body.
• Cutting up pills.Never split pills unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you it’s safe to do so. Some medications shouldn’t be cut because they’re specially coated to be long acting or to protect the stomach.
• Using the wrong spoon.The spoons in your silverware drawer aren’t measuring spoons. To get an accurate dose, use an oral syringe (available at pharmacies) or the dose cup that came with the medication.

Make safety a habit

Get into the habit of playing it safe with these medication tips:

• Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications, including nonprescription drugs and supplements.
• Store medications in their original labeled containers.
• Keep your medications organized by using a pillbox or an automatic pill dispenser.
• Save the information sheets that come with your medications.

Use the same pharmacy, if possible, for all of your prescriptions.

• When you pick up a prescription, check that it’s the one your doctor ordered.
• Don’t give your prescription medication to someone else and don’t take someone else’s.

A final word on medication errors

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” is never a smart policy when it comes to medications and your health. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or to tell your health care providers if anything seems amiss. Remember, you’re the final line of defense against medication errors.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Some food packages and cookware can leak toxins into your food. Some food and drinks contains additives and preservatives that can be harmful when taken in large amounts. Also, consuming expired food or drink can increase your risk of liver injury. Some foods have also been poisoned with adulterants. For example.

AUGUST 2008 RESEARCH

“A survey conducted by Food and Drugs Board and the Food Research Institute (FRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) showed that various substances were added to various foods by those who prepared them and warned that this was an offence and liable to imprisonment. Mrs.

Isabella Mansa Agra, Head of Food Registration and Nutrition of the FDB, in a document copied to the Ghana News Agency, said food adulteration is on the increase and common in Ghanaian urban markets with the perpetrators playing on the ignorance of innocent buyers.

She said the survey revealed that alum and chalk were added to bread to whiten it, while for stale flour, ammonium carbonate was added to disguise its sour taste.

Mashed potatoes, sawdust and Plaster of Paris were also added to increase the weight of the bread. Mrs Agra noted that food dyes, colours and miscellaneous compounds were added to food to impart certain properties to disguise deteriorated or spoiled food and give an idea of freshness. The study, conducted in eight regions, sought to provide some leads for the relevant authorities to work with.

It indicated that saccharine was also added to maize porridge, sugar bread and doughnuts to sweeten the taste of the products whilst cassava flour, roasted maize meal, maize flour, dried, grinded pear seed, cooking oil, water and fresh cassava chips were added to groundnut paste to increase its weight.

The regions selected for the study were Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Central, Brong Ahafo Western, Northern and Ashanti. Food adulteration is an act of adding or mixing something inferior, harmful, useless and unnecessary to food.

It is intended to reduce manufacturing cost, increase bulk or weight, make it appear better and conceal inferiority. Mrs Agra noted that maize flour, milled fresh groundnuts, gari and wheat flour were added to grinded agushie to increase its weight and this act was common in Eastern, Northern, Western, Central and Greater Accra regions.

For fruits and vegetables, bixa, pear seeds and discarded kola nuts were found in ground pepper and fresh tomatoes before it is grinded whilst wood ash was also found in dried okro powder.

Meat, poultry, fish and shrimps were not out. Bixa seeds are also used for grilled meat popularly known as khebab and fried turkey tails and these were common in the Central and Greater Accra regions. For fat and oils like palm oil, dzomi, coconut oil, groundnut oil and soyabean oil; palm kernel oils, Sudan Dyes, were added and these were found in Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Central and Western regions.

“It is also shocking to know that beverages like palm wine and pito are also adulterated and surprisingly, for palm wine, water, sugar, saccharine, miracle berry monosodium glutamate, baking soda and tobacco leaves were added to sweeten them.”

Tobacco leaves and marijuana were also found in pito to enhance its stimulant effects.

For miscellaneous foods, sugar, honey, baking powder, curry powder, soups and stews, water, caramel, wheat flour, granulated salt, maize flour and bixa seeds were added to enhance their sweetness.

Mrs Agra explained that the adulterants such as saccharine and aspartame could cause cancer whilst monosodium glutamate used in soups, stews and meat could damage the brain, cause mental retardation in infants and other food flavours also had the chance of causing cancer of the liver.

Cola nuts, cassava flour and Sudan dyes used in pepper, groundnut paste and palm oil could increase anxiety and nervousness at high doses, decrease nutritive value of products and cause cancer.

“Potassium bromate (E924) used in bread has the chance of causing cancer and nitrate used in tendering meat and beans could cause cancer and tumours in the liver, kidney, trachea oesophagus and lungs,” she added.

Mrs Agra cautioned that the Food and Drugs law prohibited the sale of unwholesome, poisonous or adulterated food and any person found violating the law would be punished.”       -www.modernghana.com

May 2015 Research

“The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned against the mixing of food with adulterants, describing it as injurious to human health.
It said food adulteration was on the increase and very common on the Ghanaian urban markets with perpetrators plying on the ignorance of innocent buyers.
He, therefore, urged consumers to report any unusual changes in their food to the FDA.
Mr Edward Archer, a Principal Regulator of the Food Safety Management Unit of the FDA, gave the caution at a Food Safety Advocacy Campaign for Traditional Caterers Association members in Greater Accra.
Mr Acher defined food adulteration is an act of adding or mixing something inferior, harmful, useless and unnecessary to food.
It is intended to reduce manufacturing cost, increase bulk or weight, to make it appear better and conceal inferiority.
The seminar was organized with the Queen Mothers? Foundation of Ghana to raise the awareness of caterers on the dangers associated with food adulteration and the need to be on the lookout and help in the campaign against it.
Mr Acher pointed out that even colours used in making tie and dyes designs, and miscellaneous compounds were mixed with some foods to impart certain properties and to disguise deteriorated or spoiled foods to give an idea of freshness.
He said cassava flour, roasted maize meal, maize flour, dried and grinded pear seed, cooking oil, water and fresh cassava chips were also added to groundnut paste to increase its weight.
Maize flour, milled fresh groundnuts, gari and wheat flour, he said, were also added to grinded agushie to increase its weight.
?This act is very common, thus posing so much danger to consumers? health,? he complained.
For fat and oils like palm oil, dzomi, coconut oil, groundnut oil and soyabean oil; palm kernel oils, he said, Sudan Dyes, were added to give it the red colour, which he said, was the demand of consumers.

He explained that cola nuts and Sudan dyes used in pepper, groundnut paste and palm oil could increase anxiety and nervousness at high doses, decrease nutritive value of products and could even cause cancer.
Mr Acher urged the caterers and the public to report any unusual change in the food items they buy from the market to FDA for the necessary actions to be taken.
Ms Maria Lovelace-Johnson, the Head of the Food Safety Management Unit of the FDA, took participants through the five keys to keep their food safe.
The five keys, she explained, were keeping themselves clean, separating raw food from cooked food, cooking and reheating their food well to avoid contamination, keeping food at safe temperatures and always using wholesome raw materials and buying from clean places.
She noted that if these steps were not taken, it could lead to food poisoning and reiterated the the Food and Drugs Law prohibited the sale of unwholesome, poisonous or adulterated for foods.
Members of the Foundation said they were ready to prevent food-borne illness, hence, the initiative to collaborate with FDA to educate women.” -www.newsghana.com

December 2020 Research

“Food fraud in Ghana

Food fraud strategies in Ghana include adulteration, substitution  and counterfeiting of

food products. A common practice is the adulteration and substitution of products with

similar  ones  of  low  quality,  either  partially  or  completely,  which  eventually  expose

consumers to health risks and allergic complications.

For instance, palm oil, a  major locally produced food  product, has  been found to be

adulterated with Sudan dyes (I, II, III and IV). Other products that have been found to be

adulterated or substituted with harmful substances include honey products, alcohol, palm

wine, and cheese.

It was reported in 2019 that organochemicals with lindanes and endosulfans were the

most abundant agro-based insecticide residues found in vegetables and some fruits in

the country (2). Similar findings were presented by Gonu et al. (3) in sampled fruit-based

drinks in the capital city of Ghana, which even though were below the EUs MRLs, the

levels detected significantly affect the wholesomeness of the products.

A  2011  research  by Tutu et  al. (4) showed  high  levels  of  organochlorine  pesticide

residues in the breast milk of primiparae mothers in La, a suburb of Accra. This was after

numerous scientific studies indicated that common items on the local market such as

powdered  pepper,  groundnut  paste,  fish  and  tomatoes  powder  contained  chuff,

condiments and unknown amounts of foreign materials.

Although this situation is being tackled by national institutions, such as the Food & Drugs

Authority (FDA), news headlines about the identification of fake food products show how

the fight against food fraud in Ghana require more efforts than just normal conventional

investigative methods.”

-www.resarchgate.net

(5) SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE AND BAD EATING HABITS

What is an inactive or sedentary lifestyle?

Not exercising. A sedentary or inactive lifestyle. You have probably heard of all of these phrases, and they mean the same thing: a lifestyle with a lot of sitting and lying down, with very little to no exercise.

 Around the world, people are spending more and more time doing sedentary activities. During our leisure time, we are often sitting: while using a computer or other device, watching TV, or playing video games. Many of our jobs have become more sedentary, with long days sitting at a desk. And the way most of us get around involves sitting – in cars, on buses, and on trains.

How does an inactive lifestyle affect your body?

When you have an inactive lifestyle,:

• You burn fewer calories. This makes you more likely to gain weight.
• You may lose muscle strength and endurance, because you are not using your muscles as much
• Your bones may get weaker and lose some mineral content
• Your metabolism may be affected, and your body may have more trouble breaking down fats and sugars
• Your immune system may not work as well
• You may have poorer blood circulation
• Your body may have more inflammation
• You may develop a hormonal imbalance

What are the health risks of an inactive lifestyle?

Having an inactive lifestyle can be one of the causes of many chronic diseases. By not getting regular exercise, you raise your risk of:

• Obesity
• Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Stroke
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes
• Certain cancers, including colon, breast, and uterine cancers
• Osteoporosis and falls
• Increased feelings of depression and anxiety
• Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Having a sedentary lifestyle can also raise your risk of premature death. And the more sedentary you are, the higher your health risks are.

How can I get started with exercise?

If you have been inactive, you may need to start slowly. You can keep adding more exercise gradually. The more you can do, the better. But try not to feel overwhelmed, and do what you can. Getting some exercise is always better than getting none. Eventually, your goal can be to get the recommended amount of exercise for your age and health.

There are many different ways to get exercise; it is important to find the types that are best for you. You can also try to add activity to your life in smaller ways, such as at home and at work.

How can I be more active around the house?

There are some ways you can be active around your house:

• Housework, gardening, and yard work are all physical work. To increase the intensity, you could try doing them at a more vigorous pace.
• Keep moving while you watch TV. Lift hand weights, do some gentle yoga stretches, or pedal an exercise bike. Instead of using the TV remote, get up and change the channels yourself.
• Work out at home with a workout video (on your TV or on the internet)
• Go for a walk in your neighborhood. It can be more fun if you walk your dog, walk your kids to school, or walk with a friend.
• Stand up when talking on the phone
• Get some exercise equipment for your home. Treadmills and elliptical trainers are great, but not everyone has the money or space for one. Less expensive equipment such as yoga balls, exercise mats, stretch bands, and hand weights can help you get a workout at home too.

How can I be more active at work?

Most of us sit when we are working, often in front of a computer. In fact, It can be challenging to fit physical activity into your busy workday, but here are some tips to help you get moving:

• Get up from your chair and move around at least once an hour
• Stand when you are talking on the phone
• Find out whether your company can get you a stand-up or treadmill desk
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Use your break or part of your lunch hour to walk around the building
• Stand up and walk to a colleague’s office instead of sending an email
• Have “walking” or standing meetings with co-workers instead of sitting in a conference room

BAD EATING HABITS