Health

Keto diet linked to higher liver cancer risk

Eating a high-fat, low-carb diet could raise the risk of developing liver cancer within just twenty years, concerning new research has suggested.

Referred to as a ‘keto diet’, devotees claim that it can aid rapid weight loss without feelings of hunger—but experts now say fatty diets can fundamentally alter liver cells, increasing the risk of cancer.

US scientists found that when the liver is repeatedly exposed to a high-fat diet, its cells shift into a more primitive state.

Whilst this change helps cells withstand the stress caused by excess fat, it also makes them more vulnerable to disease.

‘If cells are forced to deal with a stressor such as a high fat diet over and over again, they will do things that will help them to survive, but at the risk of increased susceptibility to tumorigenesis [when normal cells mutate and become cancerous],’ Professor Alex Shalek, director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Sciences, and study co-author, explained.

The team hopes that by targeting these changes early, doctors will be able to reduce the risk of tumour formation in people who are particularly vulnerable.

A keto diet involves almost entirely avoiding ingesting carbohydrates in order to trigger a state of ketosis, which is when the body burns stored fat for energy, which in turn helps people lose weight.

Carbohydrates are a macronutrient (along with fat and protein) and are found in everything from grains to starchy vegetables and fruits.

High-fat diets have long been linked to steatotic liver disease, whereby excess fat builds up inside the liver causing inflammation, liver failure and ultimately cancer.

In the study, published in the journal Cell, researchers fed mice a high-fat diet and used cell-sequencing to analyse how their livers responded.

Early on, liver cells called hepatocytes were shown to activate genes to help them survive- reducing the likelihood of cell death and promoting growth.

However, at the same time, genes essential for normal liver function were shut down.

‘This really looks like a trade-off, prioritising what’s good for the individual cell to stay alive in a stressful environment, at the expense of what the collective tissue should be doing,’ Constantine Tzouanas, Harvard-MIT graduate and study co-author said.

By the end of the study, nearly all mice fed a high-fat diet had developed liver cancer.

The researchers found that when liver cells adapt in this way, they are more likely to become cancerous if a damaging mutation later occurs.

Tzouanas said: ‘These cells have already turned on the same genes that they’re going to need to become cancerous.

‘Once a cell picks up the wrong mutation, then it’s really off to the races and they’ve already got a head start on some of those hallmarks of cancer.’

After uncovering these cellular changes in mice, the team turned their attention to people with various stages of liver disease.

They found that, over time, genes required for normal liver function deteriorated, while genes linked to cell survival thrived, allowing them to accurately predict patient survival outcomes.

‘Patients who had higher expression of these pro-cell-survival genes that are turned on with a high-fat diet survived for less time after tumours developed,’ Tzouanas explains.

‘And if a patient has lower expression of genes that support the functions that the liver normally performs, they also survive for less time.

The scientists highlighted that whilst most of the mice developed cancer within a year, this process is much slower in humans, unfolding over around 20 years.

But, they added, this time frame can vary based on lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, and overall health – with excessive drinking and viral infections both pushing liver cells toward an ‘immature’ state, increasing the risk of cancer.

This is because when liver cells exist in a less mature state, they are more likely to become cancerous if a damaging mutation occurs later.

The team will now investigate whether this damage can be reversed through a healthier diet, or using GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro.

Prof Shalek said: ‘We now have all these new molecular targets and a better understanding of what is underlying the biology, which could give us new angles to improve outcomes for patients.’

A keto diet often consists of 75 per cent fat, 20 per cent protein and only 5 per cent carbohydrates.

By contrast, the NHS’s healthy balanced diet advice advocates for 30 per cent fat, 15 per cent protein and over 50 per cent carbohydrates.

Despite multiple studies pointing to the potential dangers of a keto diet it has become increasingly popular. A number of celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Kourtney Kardashian have spoken about being on the low-carb diet in the past.

Where liver disease was once largely confined to the elderly and heavy drinkers, it is now rising rapidly among younger adults.

The British Liver Trust estimates the condition may now affect one in five people in the UK—though experts have warned the true figure could be as high as 40 per cent.

Worryingly, around 80 per cent of those affected remain undiagnosed, as the disease often has no obvious symptoms—or it has symptoms that are mistaken for less serious problems.

Around one in four patients will develop a more advanced form of the disease resulting in irreversible scarring of the liver, ultimately resulting in organ failure and cancer.

But experts are hopeful that weight loss jabs like Mounjaro will transform liver disease treatment, helping the liver burn excess fat that increases the risk of disease.

Daily Mail

Health

KFSHRC Performs Seven Heart Procedures in Single Robotic Surgery

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has performed a highly complex robotic heart surgery on a woman in her seventies who was living with seven ongoing cardiac pathologies, including congenital defects. In a single operation, the surgical team addressed all seven issues surgically, marking the first documented case worldwide in which this number of cardiac interventions has been combined in one fully robotic approach.
According to a recent KFSHRC press release, the innovative approach stabilized the patient’s condition, accelerated her recovery, and spared her from undergoing multiple staged surgeries that would have significantly increased risks and prolonged her suffering.
Unlike conventional open-heart surgery, the procedure was performed without a full chest incision. The robotic technique enabled the team to perform mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair, arrhythmia treatment using a Maze procedure, left atrial appendage closure, atrial septal defect formation, and reconstruction of complex venous anatomy (double patch venous enlargement), all through small, precise incisions. This minimally invasive approach reduced surgical trauma, lowered the likelihood of complications, supported a safer procedure, full restoration of heart function and earlier hospital discharge within eight days.
The significance of the case lies in its integration of two surgical domains that are typically managed separately: adult acquired heart disease and congenital defect repair. Treating a heart affected simultaneously by acquired pathology and structural congenital abnormalities required dual expertise and the ability to unify different treatment standards within a single, carefully coordinated intervention.
The release also highlighted that robotic technology played a central role in the procedure’s success, offering enhanced precision when navigating delicate intracardiac structures and allowing multiple complex interventions to be performed through limited access points. This improved surgical control, minimized bleeding, and reduced the risks commonly associated with traditional open-heart surgery.
This milestone reflects KFSHRC’s commitment to advancing the boundaries of cardiac surgery through cutting-edge technology and integrated multidisciplinary care. It underscores the hospital’s patient-centered approach, prioritizing safety, clinical excellence, and measurable outcomes, while reinforcing its position as a global reference center for complex surgical innovation.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for 2026 and recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East according to Brand Finance 2025. It has also been listed by Newsweek among the World’s Best Hospitals 2025, the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026.
— SPA

Health

Advanced Endoscopic Intervention Saves 24-Year-Old with Life-Threatening Esophageal Tear at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah

Sharjah, UAE , 18^th Feb 2026

What began as sudden, severe chest pain and repeated vomiting for a 24-year-old patient quickly evolved into a rare and potentially fatal medical emergency. Within hours, specialists at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah diagnosed an esophageal perforation, a tear in the food pipe that requires immediate intervention to prevent serious infection and organ complications. Esophageal perforation is uncommon but carries significant risk if treatment is delayed. Rapid recognition and decisive action are critical.

Rapid Diagnosis

Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, the patient’s symptoms initially resembled more common conditions, including cardiac or gastrointestinal distress. However, clinical evaluation and imaging raised concern for a tear in the esophageal wall.

“A perforation of the esophagus is a true race against time,” explained Dr. Hamid Yousuf, Consultant Gastroenterologist. “If not managed promptly, it can lead to severe infection in the chest cavity and life-threatening complications. Early diagnosis makes all the difference.”

Rapid and effective minimally invasive treatment

Recognising the urgency, Dr. Yousuf and the gastroenterology team proceeded with emergency therapeutic endoscopy, a minimally invasive approach that allows both direct visualisation and immediate treatment.

During the procedure, a specialised esophageal stent was carefully placed to seal the tear and prevent leakage into surrounding tissues. This internal support allowed the damaged area to heal while avoiding the need for major open surgery.

“Modern endoscopy has evolved beyond diagnosis,” said Dr. Yousuf. “It is now a powerful therapeutic tool. By sealing the tear internally, we stabilised the patient quickly and reduced the risks associated with more invasive surgical procedures.”

The patient responded well to the intervention and made a complete recovery under close multidisciplinary care.

Identifying the Underlying Cause

Beyond repairing the acute injury, the team sought to understand why such a severe event occurred in a young individual. During the same endoscopic session, targeted biopsies were obtained for further analysis which revealed a previously undiagnosed condition, Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the esophagus which in rare cases can lead to spontaneous tearing. Because early symptoms such as persistent swallowing difficulty, recurrent food impaction or unexplained chest discomfort can be subtle or intermittent, many young adults remain undiagnosed until a serious complication occurs.

Recovery and Prevention

With the diagnosis established, the patient was started on a structured long-term management plan, including dietary modifications and medical therapy aimed at controlling inflammation and preventing recurrence.

This case underscores three critical messages for the community:

Serious medical emergencies can occur even in young, otherwise healthy individuals.
Advanced, minimally invasive treatments are transforming outcomes in life-threatening situations.
Unusual symptoms of any kind should not be ignored. Early medical evaluation can prevent complications and significantly improve long-term health outcomes.

At NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah, the integration of rapid emergency response, advanced endoscopic capability and comprehensive diagnostic investigation continues to redefine how complex gastrointestinal emergencies are managed.

About NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah
NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah is a leading tertiary healthcare facility in the UAE, delivering patient-centred, evidence-based care across a wide range of specialities. With advanced minimally invasive technologies and multidisciplinary expertise, the hospital remains committed to providing high standards of medical excellence to the community.

Health

French prosecutors probe Nestlé, Danone over tainted baby formula

A crisis over contaminated baby formula has grown with product recall after recall in recent weeks. On Friday, Paris’ public prosecutor said it opened investigations into five companies that make the formula. Parents and investors are on edge.

The investigation concerns possibly contaminated infant nutrition products distributed by three of the world’s largest dairy groups, Nestle, Danone, and privately-held Lactalis, as well as smaller brands Babybio and La Marque en Moins.

The recalls were due to possible contamination of cereulide, a heat-stable toxin that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea when consumed. While symptoms typically resolve within a day, it can lead to more severe complications.

The Paris prosecutor said it opened its investigations due to “deception regarding goods posing a danger to human health,” an offence punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to 3.75 million euros ($4.45 million), according to a translated statement. CNBC reached out to the companies mentioned for comment.

In January, Nestle CEO Philipp Navratil said he was sorry about the worry and disruption this has caused parents and customers. “Let me reassure you that your safety and wellbeing is our highest priority,” he said.

The prosecutor’s office took up the case due to the large number of complaints across the country, it said.

In addition, the French health ministry is looking into three reported baby deaths in cases where consumption of infant formula affected by the recall was reported. On Feb. 11, it said that no causal link had been established and that judicial investigations are underway.

Worldwide recalls

Nestle published a “sequence of events” on Jan. 29, saying it found traces of cereulide in batches of some of its finished products in early December in its factory in the Netherlands.

On Dec. 10, it informed Dutch authorities, the European Commission and potentially impacted countries of potential risks, according to the company’s timeline, which added it initiated recalls the same day of all batches produced: 25 products in 16 countries in Europe.

In January, the Swiss company issued its first major public recall for brands SMA, Beba and Little Steps across Europe, and recalls by French peers Danone, the maker of best-selling Aptamil and Cow & Gate, and Lactalis followed.

So far, there have been recalls in over 60 countries.

The contamination source has been traced back to an ingredient supplier of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, which is often added to baby formula, Nestle said.

The fallout has grown over time because many different companies and multiple brands used this supplier. The supplier hasn’t been officially named. The UK’s Food Standards Agency said the supplier of the ARA oil was no longer being used by Nestle or Danone

It still urged parents and caregivers to check if the formula products they have at home were among those batches listed in the recalls.

On Feb. 2, the European Food Safety Authority set a threshold level of the toxin cereulide. There hadn’t previously been a harmonized standard because of its rarity, said Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman.

Earlier this month, UK authorities said they had received at least 36 clinical reports of infants showing symptoms consistent with cereulide poisoning.

Nestle and Danone report earnings this week

Nestle’s infant formula makes up about 5% of revenue, and the company has disclosed that recalled products represent only about 0.5% of revenue. “The larger 5% number is probably more relevant given the likely consumer confusion and brand equity risk,” said Bernstein analyst Callum Elliott in January.

“For Danone, infant formula is more important, comprising around 21% of group revenues by our estimates, and more than this in terms of profitability.”

Nestle and Danone are both slated to report earnings later this week, where investors hope to get a better picture of the financial impact of the recalls.

As investors worry about the financial fallout and potential reputational damage, Nestle shares are up 1.7% year-to-date, while Danone stock has shed 5.5%. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index is up 4.6% over the same period.

Nestle and Danone stocks slumped at the end of January, at the height of the recall announcements, but have since recovered some of their losses.

– CNBC