Keep My Fatty Liver Healthy
The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and also one of the hardest working ones. The liver sits right under the lower rib cage on the right side of the body and is about the size of a football. It performs over 500 functions which include making the basic building blocks of life, producing bile, breaking down nutrients, storing vitamins and minerals, and filtering the blood to keep it clean. In fact, all of the blood flow draining our intestines passes through the liver before it goes to the rest of the body. A healthy liver functions very efficiently. However, there are many diseases which can affect the liver and lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Over 100 types of liver diseases are known, but according to the American Liver Foundation, three types, in particular, are of increasing concern. These are Hepatitis C, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, and liver cancer.
Fatty Liver Disease is one of the most serious conditions that can affect the liver and usually occurs along with obesity and/or alcohol abuse. If it is not caused by alcohol abuse, then it is called Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, or NAFLD, affects up to 40 percent of Americans and is growing in incidence as the obesity epidemic grows. It is now the leading cause of liver disease in the US. A healthy liver typically has a small amount of fat in its cells. But if over 5 percent of the liver is fat, then the liver is considered fatty. Since the liver processes absorbed food and liquids and changes them into stored energy and nutrients, an unhealthy diet can lead to excess fat accumulation and damage the liver over time. Insulin resistance, the same condition that leads to adult onset diabetes, is believed to be a major reason why patients develop a fatty liver. For reasons scientists are still working out, many patients who accumulate excess fat in the liver will trigger an inflammation and scar (or fibrosis) reaction that permanently damages the liver. This is called Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis or NASH. If NASH sets in, cirrhosis (the end stage of liver disease) can develop silently. So, while it may not seem obvious at first, a proper diet and regular exercise are extremely important for a healthy liver, not just a healthy heart.
Dr. George Dickstein published research findings in The World Journal of Gastrology …”To determine whether fasting C-peptide is an independent predictor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in United States population.” Read The Findings Here
Most patients with liver disease will have no symptoms.
Some Symptoms of liver problems may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Easy bruising
- Dark-colored urine
- Jaundice (yellowing) of the skin and eyes
As stated above, everything we absorb after we eat and drink passes through our livers. That includes foods, drinks, medicine…anything we consume. The liver metabolizes fats, carbs, and protein, so consuming healthy fats, limiting our intake of refined carbs and taking in a good amount of lean protein is a great way to keep your liver healthy. Also drinking alcohol in moderation is extremely important to keep your liver healthy. Liver damage from alcohol overuse (now called alcohol use disorder) can occur with as little as two alcoholic drinks a day in women and four alcoholic drinks a day in men! Not all fats are created equal. Healthier fats can be found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts and have been shown to reduce liver fat levels. Soluble fiber has also been shown to reduce liver fat.
In the past, only a liver biopsy could accurately determine how much fat, inflammation and scarring were in our livers. This information can now be obtained by a new, painless, ultrasound-based test called Liver Elastography that is covered by nearly every insurance plan and is available at our office in Framingham. Along with this test, our board-certified GI and liver experts, working with our nutritionist and our weight loss program experts can provide the entire spectrum of care necessary to diagnose and treat fatty liver disorder before cirrhosis and permanent damage ever set in. Remember—a healthy liver means a healthy life.