Liver diseases have increasingly become a popular ailment among the
general population currently. Impaired liver functions will decrease
the body’s ability to digest food in a proper manner, absorb
nutrients, break down fats, and to get rid of toxic substances from
the body.
There are a wide range of conditions that can affect the liver, and
fatty liver disease is one liver condition that is frequently
encountered by physicians the world over.
Fatty Liver Defined
Fatty liver cannot be defined as a disease condition by itself, but
known to trigger diseases within. But even then it is known
medically as fatty liver disease, a term used to define a situation
where there is excess fat accumulation in the liver cells. The organ
is encroached upon by fat that begins to accumulate in the cells and
fill up the spaces between tissues, making it expand and feel
heavier.
The Occurrence
There are several possible explanations to this liver condition, the
most popular being that the liver functions are impaired to such an
extent that it cannot efficiently break down and remove fats in a
manner that it normally should. Another consideration is that there
is an increase in fat extraction from the intestines, the place
where consumed food is processed.
The liver also processes fats that are absorbed by the body from
one’s diet. So, if the dietary fat consumption remains in high
quantities continually, the fat content arriving at the liver will
also remain high. This can overwhelm the liver’s ability to
metabolize great amount of fats at any one time, and eventually the
excess gets stored as triglycerides. This gradual accumulation of
fats will trigger inflammation and injure healthy liver cells.
Connection between obesity, diabetes and fatty liver – The rapid
modernization adopted by Asian countries has seen a spike in the
rate of obesity and its related health problems among their
population. And in countries where obesity is widely prevalent, at
least 25% of that country’s population will be diagnosed with fatty
liver disease. Obesity on the other hand increases the risk of
diabetes; and if a person has diabetes it increases their risk of
developing fatty liver disease. While a person with diabetes does
not spontaneously develop fatty liver, it is just that insulin
resistance diabetes along with excess body fat can eventually lead
to fatty liver.
Causes
Fatty liver is usually brought about by heavy alcohol drinking.
However, this condition can also develop among the non-drinkers. In
them, the usual causes are prescription med use for an extended
period of time; poor diet, starvation; certain lifestyle disease
conditions like diabetes, obesity, or high cholesterol levels.
While alcohol is considered to be the foremost causative factor,
obesity is next in the list. Excess abdominal fat is associated more
with fatty liver than increased overall body weight. While most
obese people feel the need to lose weight, very few actually put in
an effort to lose weight. A body mass index of less than 25 is
deemed to be a healthy range for most individuals, but the levels
can differ depending on the person’s height and gender.
This liver condition is also known to crop up during pregnancy, and
is attributed to hormonal imbalances that usually occur during
pregnancy, as well as weight gain. But once the child is delivered,
the liver begins to heal by itself; hence, very rarely will this
require any specific treatment plan.
Symptoms
The condition is generally symptom free. In severe conditions
though, where there is complete saturation of fat cells in the
liver, then the person will experience a heaviness in and around the
area where the liver is situated (right upper quadrant of the
abdomen), a slight discomfort or moderate pain intermittent in
nature, nausea or vomiting, and easy fatigability.
Diagnosis
As stated earlier, excess accumulation of fats in the liver cells
can create inflammations within and injure the cells. Liver enzymes
present within that have specific functions, get released into the
blood stream when injury occurs. Routine blood tests will detect
this elevation of liver enzymes, a situation where one should
suspect that there is indeed an abnormality occurring in the liver.
Image testings done further may reveal fatty liver conditions with
either the organ appearing bright or hyperechogenic on
ultrasonography, or less dense on CT scanning. However, these
testing modalities fail to help in differentiating the severe nature
of the disease – whether the condition is localized or has begun to
spread across the entire organ.
For a more accurate diagnosis, liver biopsy is considered the best
option. This is a minimal invasive procedure done under local
anesthesia. A fine needle is inserted to aspirate the liver tissues
and contents for a detailed microscopic examination to detect the
presence of fats within.
Types of Fatty Liver – Which could be reversed Naturally
Fatty liver is classified into – a) Alcohol related – Continued
consumption of alcoholic drinks in large quantities is known to
bring forth various liver ailments and fatty liver is no exception.
b) Non-alcohol related – Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the
other hand, when less severe, is perceived as a benign health
condition that can be reversed by pursuing a healthy diet,
maintaining a stable weight, opting for medications that are not
known to impair liver functions, and staying away from all kinds of
alcoholic beverages, even in moderation.
However, since fatty liver is symptom free, and if routine blood
tests fail to detect any spike in liver enzymes, then the condition
can continue to progress to its severe form. Increased fat
infiltration within will disrupt the entire liver structure,
interfere with its functions, trigger inflammatory conditions, and
cause death of healthy liver cells that can eventually lead to
irreversible liver damage. The giveaway signs of end-stage fatty
liver condition are a jaundiced appearance that the sufferer will
develop, with the whites of the eyes, nails, and skin around the
hairline turning a yellowish hue; sudden and unexplained weight
loss; and blood clotting difficulties.
Treatment
Effective treatment depends on its causative factor. Drug therapy as
a treatment measure is not considered as a safe option. The reason
being that prescription med use will need to continue for an
extended period of time, since this liver abnormality is marked by
long duration. This will only cause more harm to the organ than
bring relief. Moreover, this disease condition of the liver is
brought about by unhealthy lifestyle patterns and altering them will
help in bringing relief, like –
Losing excess body weight –
Which should be accomplished in a healthy manner. Attempting to
lose weight by way of skipping meals and staying hungry for
longer periods of time will only aggravate this liver condition.
Instead, a healthy exercise routine should be followed
religiously to achieve gradual weight loss.
Abstaining from alcohol
consumption – It is not just heavy drinking, but even alcohol
intake in moderation should be avoided once diagnosed with fatty
liver.
Making the right food choices –
A restrictive diet will need to be followed by the diagnosed
individual. Foods that are high in fat, that includes dairy rich
products and red meat, should be completely avoided. All types
of processed food products and grains should be refrained from
consumption. Following a low-salt and low-sugar diet is
recommended. The individual should attempt to incorporate more
of raw veggies and fruits into their daily meal plan as well as
stay well hydrated.
Removing problematic drugs –
Discontinuing medications that can affect the liver in a
negative manner and replacing them with less harmful ones are
best recommended for those who are diagnosed with fatty liver.
However, certain disorders that
are associated with fatty liver like high cholesterol levels,
increased blood sugar readings, obesity may require drug
interventions for effective cure. Unless these are not brought
under good control, attempting to reverse fatty liver conditions
will be futile. Hence, medicines like Metformin to treat insulin
resistance diabetes, statin drugs to manage high cholesterol,
and meds that address obesity will be recommended by the
physician.
Natural Remedies To Reverse
Fatty Liver Disease
Certain natural ingredients can be put to use by fatty liver
sufferers that aid in strengthening the liver leading to a more
rapid recovery process.
Milk thistle usage has been done for ages to protect the liver
against harmful effects of toxic substances that can arrive at the
liver in various ways. The seed of this herb is better known for its
therapeutic properties and effects on healing damaged liver cells.
Golden seal, dandelion, and barberry herbs works as powerful liver
cleansers and purifiers, which when used for a certain period of
time, can restore proper functioning of the stressed liver. These
herbs are not recommended for usage during pregnancy, though, for
they are known to trigger miscarriage.
Removing toxins from the body may also assist in improving liver
health. A remarkable herb with natural antioxidant properties is
green tea which should be consumed on a daily basis for best
results.
Recent studies conducted have revealed that consumption of soy
protein may help in reducing fat accumulation in the liver and in
restoring proper liver functions. Soy protein can be sourced from
soybeans, soy milk and yogurt, as well as tofu.