If you're concerned about your liver health, you're not alone. Fatty liver disease is a growing health concern that affects millions. In this article, we'll explore what it is, what causes it, and the steps you can take to protect your liver, naturally and effectively.
What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease is a condition where large globules of fat accumulate in the liver cells in a process called steatosis. It most commonly occurs in those with excessive alcohol intake or in those who are obese (alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).
Most people with fatty liver disease have no symptoms. Doctors often diagnose it during routine physical exams or screening blood tests. This disease is largely reversible. However, fat buildup combined with liver inflammation can progress to steatohepatitis. The underlying cause determines whether it is alcoholic or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
What Causes Fatty Liver?
Alcohol use and metabolic syndrome commonly cause fatty liver disease. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia also increase the risk. There are other, rarer metabolic disorders, nutritional deficiencies and drugs that can also cause this condition in some cases. In each case, fatty acid metabolism becomes impaired. As a result, fats accumulate in the liver instead of being properly metabolized. Because of the growing obesity epidemic in North America, these conditions are becoming much more prevalent in our current society. Estimates are that between 10 and 25% of the population suffers from some form of fatty liver.
As the disease progresses, fat accumulates in small bubbles in the cell called liposomes. Over time, these bubbles grow larger and coalesce until eventually they take over the cell and expand its size. Over time, multiple cells may merge, creating fatty cysts that are no longer reversible. When these changes occur in conjunction with local inflammation, as in steatohepatitis, they create fibrosis around the enlarged cells. As the fibrosis accumulates, it causes further permanent damage to the structure of the liver and creates cirrhosis.
Symptoms of Fatty Liver
Unfortunately, the vast majority of people with fatty liver disease will have no idea that anything is wrong. Symptoms of fatty liver begin to appear only when the liver is damaged and begins to undergo cirrhosis. Once this occurs, symptoms of fatigue, fluid retention, muscle wasting, increased bruising, abdominal fullness, and jaundice will occur. If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Diagnosing Fatty Liver
Doctors use physical exams and blood tests to assess liver health. An enlarged liver is often the first sign of fatty liver disease. Blood work will check for an elevation of two liver enzymes called AST and ALT. After these tests, doctors may perform a liver biopsy to evaluate fat deposits and liver cell structure. They also assess liver inflammation to distinguish fatty liver disease from steatohepatitis. Alternatively, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI can provide less invasive diagnostic options.
How Can I Reverse Fatty Liver Disease?
Interestingly, most cases of fatty liver can be reversed simply by eliminating the underlying cause. In the alcoholic form, this means treating the alcohol dependency and no longer drinking. In the nonalcoholic forms, the treatment is the same as that for metabolic syndrome: reduce body weight to the normal range through a balanced diet and daily exercise. It is also important to avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications to reduce any strain on the liver.
Fatty Liver Supplement Support
In addition to diet and lifestyle changes in order to promote healthy weight loss and insulin levels, there are a number of supplements with some preliminary evidence in the treatment of fatty liver disease. Supplementation of 800IU of vitamin E daily has been found to eliminate NASH in 1/3rd of cases. Supplements that aid in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, as listed above, can also benefit. Reducing or eliminating diabetes can further help to reverse this liver disease. In addition to treating the underlying cause, it is also important to promote liver health with supplements such as milk thistle and NAC.
