The incidence of fatty liver disease is increasing steadily in many parts of the world. It is a disease that is linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. If it is not addressed in its initial stages, it may progress into a severe liver disease and may cause other health problems.
What Is Fatty Liver?
Fatty liver is caused when excess fats accumulate in your liver cells. Your liver is considered fatty if its cells contain more than 5 percent fat. One of the main causes of fatty liver is an over-consumption of alcohol, but there are other causes too. A wide range of fatty liver conditions falls under the category of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is common in both adults and children in many Western countries.
The initial stage of the disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) is a reversible stage of the disease. If it is not diagnosed at the right moment, then it may lead to a serious condition known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH involves a very high accumulation of fat and inflammation that can cause damage to the liver cells. Damage to the liver cells can cause scar tissues as the cells die off due to injury, and it can also lead to fibrosis. It is extremely difficult to predict whether fatty liver will progress to NASH due to which the risk of cirrhosis, excessive scarring that damages the liver, and liver cancer increases significantly. NAFLD is also associated with an increased risk of diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease.
What Are The Symptoms Of Fatty Liver?
Symptoms of fatty liver include weakness and fatigue, increased levels of insulin, triglycerides, and liver enzymes, and slight pain in the center or the right side of your abdomen. When fatty liver progresses to NASH, the symptoms include nausea or vomiting, severe or moderate abdominal pain, yellow eyes and skin, and loss of appetite.
How To Get Rid Of Fatty Liver?
You can follow some of these strategies to get rid of fatty liver.
1. Lose Weight
If you have fatty liver a great way of getting rid of it is by losing weight. It does not matter if you lose weight by making changes to your diet, by exercising, or by going under the knife as any form of weight loss promotes the loss of liver fat. Do keep surgery as the last option, and consider it only if you are unable to lose weight through regular exercise and healthy eating, and if you are advised by your doctor to do so.
2. Cut Back On Carbs
You can get rid of fatty liver by cutting back on refined carbs. When you consume excess carbs, they are converted into fats which get accumulated in the liver. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.
3. Be More Physically Active
Being physically active can help reduce liver fat. You can incorporate a mixture of strength training and cardio into your schedule to get maximum benefits. Even if you do not lose weight, exercise can still reduce the total amount of fat from your liver.
4. Try Supplements
Vitamins, herbs, and other supplements can help reduce the amount of fat in your liver and can prevent the condition of your liver from becoming worse. Always consult your doctor before you take any supplement.
Your health is very important so always be physically active and always follow a healthy diet. If you notice any of the symptoms of fatty liver, get it checked immediately as it is reversible in the earlier stages. Don’t wait until it is too late.
