Ask the Doctor: Avoiding Liver Disease; Shoes for Healthy Feet; Diet Soda
Q: I recently heard that using aspirin can lead to liver problems. Is this true and are there other things that I should avoid to keep my liver healthy?
A: The liver’s primary job is to regulate chemicals in the bloodstream and to help remove waste products from blood.
High doses of aspirin may cause liver injury in adults. In children with influenza or chickenpox, aspirin use is associated with a higher risk of a liver condition known as Reye Syndrome. If you take a baby aspirin every day for heart attack prevention, you should be okay, though if you have a history of ulcers or a clotting disorder, you should, of course, avoid taking aspirin.
If you take several medications, consult with your doctor to make sure that they won’t affect liver function. Too many medications and chemicals in the body can have a negative impact on the liver. Also, ask your doctor about whether you should get a complete liver blood analysis the next time you have your annual blood work. Other tips include consuming alcohol in moderation and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. And if you’re a Baby Boomer, be sure to get tested for hepatitis C.
Q: I see a lot of my friends—we’re all in our 60s and 70s—wearing sneakers everywhere. They say their doctors recommended them. Why are sneakers better for your feet than other shoes?
A: The feet are often the most overlooked body part when it comes to good health and preventing problems down the road. Wearing the right shoes can go a long way toward keeping you on your feet and keeping your feet healthy.
Sneakers are a good choice because they provide several key features you want in a shoe. Your shoes should have a thick sole that cushions your feet on a hard surface, and should be made of a soft and flexible material on top. Sneakers may also help prevent slips and falls. The ball of your foot should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe. Also, make sure to try on shoes and walk around in them before buying them. And never buy tight shoes hoping they’ll “stretch out.”
Though high heels may be fashionable, shoes with too high a heel or that pinch your toes spell trouble for your feet. By wearing comfortable, well-fitting shoes you can help avoid corns and calluses, among other foot problems.
Q: I enjoy a few diet sodas a week, but I’ve always wondered if they were unhealthy because of the artificial sweeteners. Are they dangerous?
A: Diet sodas are by no means “healthy” drinks, but they are probably a better option than regular sugary sodas, which are linked to problems ranging from tooth decay to weight gain to diabetes.
Interestingly, though, several studies have found that regular consumption of diet soda may also contribute to weight gain. Though it hasn’t been definitively proven, researchers believe that the artificial sweeteners in diet drinks may “trick” the brain into stimulating appetite, which could lead to overeating. The problem is that many of these studies have been observational, which means researchers compared the health of diet soda drinkers to that of people who don’t drink soda, without exploring how diet soda actually affects brain chemistry or other body systems. It may be that some overweight people, who may have other unhealthy tendencies, drink diet soda hoping it will help them lose weight.
In years past, diet soda was associated higher rates of cancer and other conditions. Those concerns may have been put to rest with the sweeteners now used in low- or no-calorie drinks. But remember that diet sodas contain chemicals that your body doesn’t need and that aren’t naturally occurring. Healthier alternatives include unsweetened iced tea, water or sparkling water with a twist of lime or other fruit, coffee, or fruit juice.
—Editor-in-Chief Bruce A. Ferrell, MD
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