It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in the world has fatty liver.
If this condition is not controlled, it can develop into a more serious liver disease and cause other health problems. Fortunately, it is possible to reduce its impact by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Find out how to achieve it here.
As its name suggests, fatty liver is a condition that occurs when excess fat accumulates in liver cells.
Specialists point out that one is in the presence of this disease when the liver is made up of 5% fat.
Although alcohol can be a great culprit for this problem, it is often suffered by people who drink little or no alcohol, for example, children. In such cases, this condition is distinguished as Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
NAFLD is a reversible early stage of liver disease, however, it is common that it does not It is diagnosed because, although it can cause fatigue or discomfort in the upper right part of the abdomen, it does not usually cause signs or symptoms.
- Can fatty liver be treated with surgery?
To detect NAFLD, laboratory studies must be used in which an alteration is observed in liver function tests or tests performed by abdominal ultrasound.
Causes of fatty liver
Currently, researchers do not know why some people accumulate fat in the liver while others do not, or why in some cases fatty liver can progress towards cirrhosis. Although certain risk factors stand out:
- Poor diet, consisting mainly of ultra-processed products, such as sugary drinks, and many refined carbohydrates, such as flours or pasta.
- Having high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or triglycerides.
- Being overweight or Obesity, especially when there is excess fat in the abdominal region.
- Having other conditions, such as sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, syndrome metabolic or hypothyroidism.
How to control fatty liver
By adopting a healthy lifestyle you can control NAFLD and reduce its impact on health:
Maintain a good diet
Controlling the diet is essential to prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver. Although common sense would indicate that for this it is necessary to reduce or eliminate fats, scientific evidence points to refined carbohydrates as the main responsible.
According to experts, around 15% of the fat in the liver of people with NAFLD comes from fats consumed in the diet, while approximately 25% comes from excess carbohydrates. You can solve this situation by incorporating:
- Coffee and green tea : always in moderation, these infusions are rich in catechins, a type of antioxidant that helps lower liver enzyme levels.
- Monounsaturated fats : such as avocado, oils, such as sesame, canola, or olive, or nuts, such as almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts. They help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and benefit liver health. These foods also provide Omega 3 and Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, useful for keeping the liver healthy.
- Soluble fiber: a diet rich in this substance helps reduce liver fat and liver enzyme levels. You can get soluble fiber by eating seeds, legumes, and certain fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, corn, oranges, or carrots.
- Don’t forget to hydrate yourself : the water plays a fundamental role in the control of fatty liver. When there is not enough fluid in the body, activities such as metabolism and the breakdown of fat for cellular use are complicated. That is why it is recommended to drink between 1 ½ and 2 liters of water a day.
Exercise regularly
One of the best ways to eliminate fat in the liver is by controlling weight. Losing between 5 and 10 was shown to help the liver and its enzymes work better.
For this, the exercise is one of the better tools. Specialists advise doing moderate physical activity between 3 and 4 times a week to make a difference.
For those who have not exercised for a long time, it is not necessary or advisable to make great efforts in principle, a simple hike is a good start. The important thing is to be constant.
Visit the doctor
In addition to modifying the lifestyle, it is important to make frequent visits to the doctor, to evaluate how your body responds.
Based on the results, other therapeutic options, such as pharmacological ones, can be considered. This may include vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, and supplementation, for example, berberine, Omega 3 fatty acids, or vitamin E.
Routine check-ups are very important to treat NAFLD in early stages. Otherwise, it can progress to the stage of cirrhosis, in which it affects the liver’s ability to treat infections and eliminate toxins.
This can also lead to bleeding disorders, kidney failure, mental confusion and malaise, and even liver cancer.
To remember :
Until significant scientific evidence from human trials is available, people interested in using herbal therapies and supplements should exercise extreme caution.
Do not abandon or modify your medications or treatments, first talk to your doctor about the potential effects of alternative or complementary therapies.
Remember, the medicinal properties of Herbs and supplements can also interact with prescription drugs, other herbs and supplements, and even alter your diet.
Sources consulted : National Library of Medicine of USA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, World Gastroenterology Organization.