Don’t Let Fatty Liver Control Disease Your Life! Learn the Causes, Symptoms,
Fatty Liver disease: A general overview
Fatty liver disease (FLD) is a condition where the liver accumulates excess fat. FLD is considered the third leading cause of chronic liver disease in developed countries. It may occur due to various causes, including alcohol abuse, obesity, NAFLD, viral hepatitis, hypertriglyceridemia, genetics, and certain medications. Alcohol consumption causes the body to store excess calories as triglycerides (fat) in the liver.
When these fats accumulate in the liver they cause damage to the organ. There are many stages of fatty liver. Each stage presents with varying symptoms which can range from mild to severe.
Additional Points
- A fatty liver occurs when there is an excessive amount of triglycerides or fats stored in the liver cells. Triglyceride levels above 5% of total body weight are called steatosis.
- In some cases, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) may lead to pancreatic insufficiency, resulting in steatosis. Pancreatitis is caused by infection or injury to the pancreas; it is often associated with alcoholism and gallstones.
- Another common cause of fatty liver is excess consumption of fructose-rich foods, especially sugar. Consumption of high amounts of fructose results in the production of toxic compounds known as ceramides. These ceramide molecules accumulate inside the hepatocytes and eventually result in the formation of lipid droplets.
Causes of Fatty Liver Disease
The two major causes of fatty liver are alcohol abuse and a poor diet. Alcoholics who consume alcohol excessively have higher levels of triglycerides in their blood than non-alcoholics. In addition, people who eat a low-calorie diet may develop fatty liver. The causes of fatty liver disease are varied, below we have mentioned
1. Alcohol use:
Alcohol use causes fatty liver disease due to its toxic effects on the body. When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it travels to the liver where it is metabolized.
2. Obesity:
Obesity is a major cause of fatty liver disease. Excess weight puts strain on the liver, causing it to work harder than normal. This results in the storage of excess fats inside the liver.
3. High-fat diets:
High-fat diets are a major contributor to fatty liver disease. Fatty foods like butter, cheese, cream, and fried food increase the amount of fat stored in the liver.
4. Genetics:
Genetics plays a role in the development of fatty liver disease. People who have inherited genes that make them more susceptible to fatty liver disease are at greater risk.
5. Diabetes:
Diabetes causes the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream. Glucose builds up in the blood and eventually reaches the liver. The liver then begins storing the sugar as fat.
Also read: Diabetes Diet: Plan Today, See Results Tomorrow
6. Hormone imbalance:
Hormonal imbalances are often linked to fatty liver disease. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop fatty liver disease. PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce abnormal amounts of hormones. These hormones cause insulin levels to rise, which increases the amount of sugar in the blood. Insulin also causes the liver to store sugar as fat.
7. Hepatitis C:
C also attacks the liver. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. HCV affects approximately 170 million people worldwide.
8. Tobacco:
Tobacco contains nicotine, which stimulates the release of adrenaline and cortisol from the adrenal glands. High levels of these hormones increase blood sugar levels. Since the liver uses glucose as fuel, high blood sugar levels impair its functioning. As a result, the liver becomes enlarged.
9. Excessive Intake of Sugar:
Sugar, especially fructose, increases insulin levels, which makes the liver store fat. In addition, excess sugar intake decreases the amount of glycogen stored in the liver.
10. Infections and Inflammatory Conditions:
Certain infections and inflammatory conditions can damage the liver. Examples include hepatitis and cirrhosis. Both of these conditions affect the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the bloodstream.
11. Medications:
Certain medications may contribute to the development of fatty liver disease. These include statins (medications used to lower cholesterol), antihypertensives, antidepressants, and antiretrovirals (used to treat HIV).
12. Obesity:
Being overweight can lead to fatty liver disease.
Fatty Liver symptoms: What are they?
- Abdominal pain: If you have abdominal pain, you may have fatty liver disease. Your pain could be caused by inflammation of the gallbladder. Inflammation of the gallbladder causes bile to build up in the Gallbladder causing discomfort and pain.
- Nausea and vomiting: Nausea and vomiting could also be symptoms of fatty liver disease. Bile builds up in the stomach causing nausea and vomiting.
- Jaundice: Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. If you notice jaundice, contact your doctor right away.
- Dark urine: Dark-colored urine could also be a symptom of fatty liver disease. Bilirubin accumulates in the body and turns dark red.
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes: The whites of the eyes turn yellow if there is a buildup of fat in the liver. You may also notice yellowing of the skin around the eyes, lips, and cheeks.
- Headaches: Headaches are often caused by fatty liver disease. When the liver gets enlarged, it begins to produce excess amounts of triglycerides, which cause headaches.
- Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath could be a sign of fatty liver disease. Excess fats in the liver can lead to low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream.
Does fatty liver disease have any treatment options, if so, what are they?
1. Fatty Liver Diet
The first option for treating fatty liver disease is a diet change. A low-fat, high-fiber diet is recommended. Foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, help reduce cholesterol levels. These foods also help control blood sugar and insulin levels. Reducing fat intake helps prevent weight gain, which can lead to fatty liver disease.
2. Lipid Lowering Drugs
Lipid-lowering drugs are prescribed to patients who have elevated triglycerides, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), or both. Statins decrease the production of cholesterol and increase its excretion, while fibrates lower triglyceride concentrations. Both types of drugs may cause muscle pain or rhabdomyolysis, a condition where skeletal muscles break down and release harmful substances into the bloodstream. Other side effects include headache, diarrhea, dizziness, and fatigue.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol consumption can contribute to fatty liver disease. Patients should avoid alcohol completely, especially those over the age of 40. Drinking less than two drinks per day may not significantly affect fatty liver risk. However, drinking more than three drinks per day increases the risk of developing fatty liver disease.
4. Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery reduces the amount of food ingested at each meal. Gastric bypass surgery removes about 75% of the stomach contents and causes rapid weight loss. Laparoscopic gastric banding restricts food intake by placing a band around the top of the stomach. Sleeve gastrectomy surgically removes most of the stomach and creates a small pouch. All of these surgeries require lifelong follow-up care.
What are the prevention measures one can take for fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease is not only associated with obesity but also with alcohol consumption, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, certain medications, and genetic factors.
Prevention Measures for Fatty Liver Disease:
- Avoid Alcohol Consumption: Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol causes the body to produce more triglycerides. Excessive alcohol intake may lead to fatty liver disease.
- Eat Healthy Diet: A balanced diet helps control weight gain and reduces the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Eating foods rich in fiber and protein helps reduce the risk of developing fatty liver.
- Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise helps burn calories and maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking is the best way to prevent fatty liver disease.
Diet plans for fatty liver disease: what do they look like?
The Fatty liver diet
High-fat foods:
The best way to get rid of fat accumulation in your body is to avoid high-fat food altogether. When we eat a lot of these types of foods, our bodies tend to store them instead of using them for energy. Foods that have a lot of fat in them include meat, dairy products, eggs, butter, oils, deep-fried foods, and sweets. These foods give us lots of calories, but not much nutrition. They often cause obesity and diabetes. Instead, focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, and olive oil.
Low-carbohydrate diets:
When you’re trying to lose weight, avoiding carbs may help you shed pounds faster. Carbs (like pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, and starchy veggies) turn to sugar in your blood after digestion, causing your insulin levels to spike. That causes your body to store extra belly fat and boosts cravings for junk food. If you want to cut back on carbs, try swapping out white rice, noodles, bread, pizza crust, French fries, sweet potato, and baked goods for brown rice, beans, broccoli, spinach, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit, cantaloupe, avocado, and peaches. You’ll still enjoy a treat now and then, just not as much!
Mediterranean Diet:
This diet focuses on consuming a variety of fresh produce, seafood, whole grains, poultry, beans, nuts, and olive oil. It’s rich in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fats. Research suggests following the Mediterranean Diet could lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Vegan Diet:
This lifestyle eliminates all animal products including meat, cheese, milk, eggs, honey, and gelatin. Vegans consume only foods grown without the use of animal products, such as soybeans, almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and tofu. A vegan diet includes many nutritional benefits like increased fiber intake, lower cholesterol, and higher amounts of vitamins B12 and D.
Paleo Diet:
Paleo stands for Paleolithic, and it emphasizes the consumption of foods available thousands of years ago, before the advent of agriculture. It’s based on the idea that humans were designed to eat what was naturally available, so eliminating processed foods and packaged snacks makes sense. On the Paleo Diet, you eat lean meats, seafood, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and herbs. You don’t eat grains, refined sugars, dairy, legumes, salt, or alcohol.
Juice Cleanse:
Juice cleanses involve drinking nothing but freshly pressed juice for days at a time. While the theory behind the method sounds appealing — nothing else to drink — it doesn’t promote good health. Plus, it’s difficult to find the right combination of juices for maximum detoxification.
Fasting:
Fasting is a religious practice where people refrain from consuming any food or beverages for a certain period. There are different kinds of fasts, ranging anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks. Many choose to fast intermittently throughout the week to keep their bodies feeling energized. However, don’t consider fasting as a long-term solution to losing weight.
In conclusion,
The causes of fatty liver can vary, so the best way to prevent and treat it is to learn as much as you can about it. This will help you make the changes you need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which can all go a long way towards helping you avoid a fatty liver and its complications. The next step is consulting your doctor and following his or her recommendations based on your condition and lifestyle.
A physical examination will reveal whether or not you have a fatty liver. Your doctor may order blood tests that measure your liver enzymes to determine if your liver is functioning properly. Knowing if you have a fatty liver is the first step in getting it treated before it leads to cirrhosis and other serious complications.
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