Understand fatty liver

WHAT IS FATTY LIVER DISEASE?

Fatty liver disease is simply the abnormal build up of fat in the liver.

A healthy and high functioning liver contains fat, however it becomes a problem when fat content reaches over 5% of your liver’s weight.

WHAT CAUSES THIS BUILD UP?

There’re 2 types of fatty liver;

- Fatty liver caused by excessive alcohol intake, also called alcohol related liver disease.

- Fatty liver caused by metabolic dysfunction, called metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease.

Metabolic dysfunction are factors that pose a risk to heart health. They include;

- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- High triglycerides levels
- High cholesterol
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?

Risk factors for metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease include;

- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Smoking

Excessive alcohol intake is a risk factor for alcohol related liver disease.

If left untreated, they could progress.
PROGRESS TO WHAT?

There’re 4 stages of fatty liver disease;
- Simple fatty liver, where there is fat build up without inflammation or damage. (Often asymptomatic)

- Steatohepatitis, which is inflammation due to fat buildup.

- Fibrosis: This is the scarring of liver tissue due to persistent inflammation.

- Cirrhosis: Irreversible scarring that could lead to liver failure or cancer.
WHAT SYMPTOMS ARE EXPERIENCED?

This disease is often asymptomatic (no symptoms) in early stages, however they present with;

- Abdominal pain or feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Extreme tiredness

When it progresses to cirrhosis, it presents it;
- Jaundice
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Edema
- Swelling of the abdomen

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY FATTY LIVER ON TIME?

Since it doesn’t present with symptoms, a blood test is needed to check for damage.

The blood test shows the levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST), and elevated levels point to a problem.

- Additionally, an ultrasound or CT scan is used to check for the amount of fat or scarring your liver has

- A liver biopsy confirms how far the disease has progressed.
CAN FATTY LIVER BE REVERSED?

There’s no specific treatment for fatty liver disease, the focus is on managing risk factors that contribute to the disease.

In its initial stages, fatty liver can be reversed through lifestyle changes.

What are those?

- Losing atleast 7-10% of..
..body fat and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Quitting alcohol entirely
- Eating healthy and liver friendly foods
- Exercising regularly
- Managing underlying conditions like PCOS, diabetes and hypertension.

Your liver has an amazing ability to repair itself, it just needs a little help from you.

KEY LIVER FRIENDLY FOODS

- Leafy greens like spinach and kale 🥬: Rich in antioxidants that help detoxify the liver

- Fatty fish like salmon 🍣: High in omega 3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation.

- Berries like blueberries 🫐: Packed with antioxidants, that protects the liver from damage.

- Nuts like almonds 🌰: Contains healthy fats and antioxidants that reduce liver fat.

- Green tea: Contains catechins that promote fat metabolism in the liver.

Others include;
- Garlic 🧄
- Avocados 🥑
- Turmeric

IS FATTY LIVER DEADLY?

Fatty liver doesn’t cause problems till it becomes advanced cirrhosis, however you do not want to wait for that.

Your liver is an organ you cannot live without, take better care of it.

- Exercise
- Eat healthy foods
- Go for regular checkups
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B
- Practice safe sex
- Limit alcohol and smoke
- Lose excess weight
- Spread awareness. more