JAMMU: Continuing its initiative to create awareness among pensioners about health issues affecting senior citizens, the Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA), Jammu, organised a health awareness talk on “Taking Care of Your Liver as We Age” at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Kakryal.
Dr. Rahul Khajuria, Consultant Hepatology, delivered the awareness lecture, highlighting the importance of lifestyle modifications and healthy habits in maintaining liver health with advancing age.
The programme was presided over by CGPWA President Kuldeep Khoda. Among those present were Dr. Ashok Bhan, Member of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Ashok Angurana; B.R. Sharma; and CGPWA General Secretary K.B. Jandial.
During his 30-minute presentation, Dr. Khajuria explained that liver health is closely linked to diet, body weight, diabetes, cholesterol and overall metabolic health. He emphasised that many liver-related problems can be prevented or controlled through timely lifestyle changes.
He advised senior citizens to avoid or limit fried and processed foods, excess sugar, sugary beverages and foods containing unhealthy fats. He recommended a balanced diet comprising vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, adequate protein and proper hydration. He also stressed portion control, maintaining healthy body weight and avoiding unnecessary supplements and self-medication that could adversely affect liver health.
Highlighting the importance of physical activity, Dr. Khajuria encouraged regular walking, exercise and strength training to maintain muscle mass, improve metabolism and support liver health. He advised pensioners to monitor their weight and metabolic parameters and seek timely medical consultation rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Sharing specific dietary recommendations, he advised limiting cooking oil consumption to four to five teaspoons, approximately 20–25 grams daily, observing that all cooking oils contain 100 per cent fat irrespective of their brand.
He recommended a daily protein intake of 1 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight for senior citizens. Accordingly, a person weighing 60 kg should consume around 60–72 grams of protein daily. For patients with liver cirrhosis, the recommended intake was 1.2–1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.
For diabetic patients, Dr. Khajuria emphasised the importance of maintaining steady blood sugar levels and avoiding skipped meals. He advised taking meals at fixed intervals in smaller portions, beginning with vegetables and salads, followed by roti or rice. He also recommended walking for 10–15 minutes after meals.
Stressing the benefits of exercise, he observed that regular physical activity could reduce liver fat even before noticeable changes appeared on the weighing scale.
The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants discussed various aspects of liver health and healthy ageing.
Appreciating the presentation, Kuldeep Khoda urged senior citizens to follow the medical advice shared by Dr. Khajuria to lead healthier and longer lives. He also appreciated the services being provided by the CGHS-empanelled SMVD Narayana Hospital to pensioners and other senior citizens and thanked the hospital management for organising such awareness programmes.
Earlier, Director Facility Dr. Yash Pal Sharma welcomed the CGPWA members and assured them of the best possible services for CGHS beneficiaries and other people of Jammu.
Nisar Ahmad presented the formal vote of thanks.
As part of the visit, members of the CGPWA were also taken on a tour of the Shrine Board’s Nursing College, where postgraduate classes in four disciplines have commenced this year.
The delegation also called on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pragati Kumar, who briefed the members about the university’s landmark achievements. On behalf of the CGPWA, Dr. Ashok Bhan honoured Prof. Kumar with a memento.
