Misdiagnosed dementia: The overlooked liver connection doctors are missing

(NaturalHealth365)  A shocking new study reveals up to 13% of people diagnosed with dementia in the US may actually have a treatable condition that’s being completely missed by their doctors.  These patients and their families are needlessly suffering through a devastating dementia diagnosis when their cognitive decline might be completely reversible.

The culprit?  Not Alzheimer’s, but liver failure – and most physicians aren’t even checking for it.

This crucial connection is being overlooked by medical professionals

“Health care providers must be made aware of this potential overlap between dementia and hepatic encephalopathy, which is treatable,” warned Virginia Commonwealth University hepatologist Jasmohan Bajaj in 2024.

Hepatic encephalopathy – brain impairment caused by liver failure – affects over 40% of patients with advanced liver disease.  The cognitive problems it causes look strikingly similar to dementia.  Our livers regulate chemicals throughout our bodies.  When they malfunction, it creates widespread stress, including significant effects on the brain.

This connection isn’t surprising considering that your liver functions as the body’s primary filtration system.  When toxins build up in the bloodstream due to liver dysfunction, they can cross the blood-brain barrier and directly impair cognitive function.  The resulting symptoms – confusion, personality changes, disorientation, and even movement problems – can be virtually indistinguishable from traditional dementia.

Researchers have discovered an alarming pattern in dementia diagnoses

A study published in The American Journal of Medicine in November 2024 examined 68,807 patients with dementia diagnoses.

Their finding were concerning – nearly 13% of dementia patients had markers indicating serious liver problems.  Specifically, 12.8% showed FIB-4 scores above 2.67 (suggesting advanced fibrosis) and 7.6% had scores exceeding 3.25 (indicating possible cirrhosis).

The study also identified key risk factors, showing that men, patients with congestive heart failure, viral hepatitis, alcohol use disorder, and chronic kidney disease were significantly more likely to have these concerning liver indicators.

A silent epidemic is affecting nearly one-third of the population

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) now affects nearly 30% of Western adults and is silently becoming the leading cause of liver transplants.  It shows virtually no symptoms until advanced stages, when it can trigger brain-related symptoms mistaken for dementia.

The rising prevalence of NAFLD directly tracks with increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome – conditions affecting millions of Americans.

Discover how to protect your brain by supporting your liver

1. Mediterranean-style eating slashes liver inflammation by up to 40% according to recent studies.  Combining organic extra virgin olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and abundant vegetables provides powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that protect liver cells from damage.  Patients following this eating pattern for just 12 weeks show measurable improvements in liver enzyme levels and reduced fat deposits.
2. Strategic exercise can flush fat from your liver even without significant weight loss.  Research shows just 150 minutes weekly of the right type of movement increases liver blood flow, activating specialized enzymes that break down stored liver fat.  Even walking after meals shows remarkable benefits for reducing fatty deposits.
3. Milk thistle extract contains silymarin, a powerful liver-protective compound used for centuries.  Clinical studies demonstrate its ability to reduce liver inflammation markers while promoting the regeneration of healthy liver cells.  Its potent antioxidant properties help shield the liver from toxic damage while supporting its natural detoxification processes.
4. Intermittent fasting gives your liver crucial recovery time.  Studies reveal that strategically timing your meals creates metabolic windows that allow your liver to complete vital repair processes.  Even a 12-hour overnight fast significantly reduces liver fat accumulation while improving insulin sensitivity – a key factor in reversing fatty liver disease.
5. Eliminating processed foods removes the hidden sugars and industrial seed oils that directly damage liver cells.  These highly processed ingredients trigger inflammatory cascades that can accelerate liver scarring.  Replacing them with whole foods provides the nutrients your liver needs for proper function and repair.

The evidence is clear: taking proactive steps to protect your liver health today could help safeguard your cognitive function for years to come.  If you’re concerned about the liver-brain connection discussed in this article, the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by Jonathan Landsman features 23 presentations revealing a natural way to regenerate, rejuvenate, and repair your liver without the need for toxic medications.

Sources for this article include:

Amjmed.com
Jamanetwork.com

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