Reversing Fatty Liver Disease: Understanding and Managing Liver Disease
The liver performs many important functions related to metabolism, detoxification, bile production, blood regulation, synthesis of proteins and enzymes, and much more. Therefore, it is important to take care of the liver and ensure that it functions optimally.
Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Stages
Heavy alcohol consumption causes alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD), which is a form of fatty liver disease.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the name given to a range of conditions caused by an accumulation of extra fat in the liver that is not due to alcohol. It is primarily associated with dietary factors, lifestyle factors, especially obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
At the beginning, it starts as a simple fatty liver. Lifestyle changes, weight loss, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can often reverse this condition before it progresses.
The next stage is non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. If left untreated, it leads to a more severe form of cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure or cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
We can describe NAFLD as a "silent" disease. Many people do not even know they have fatty liver disease because they experience no symptoms early on. In the later stages, fatigue, pain in the right upper abdomen, jaundice and loss of appetite may occur.
Liver Enzymes Test
Early diagnosis and early intervention are necessary to prevent fatty liver disease from taking a more severe course.
Doctors can use blood tests to help diagnose and assess fatty liver disease, but they cannot definitively diagnose fatty liver disease. Liver function tests that measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP) or bilirubin may indicate liver problems but are less specific for fatty liver disease. The liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) may be an indicator of liver inflammation and damage that can occur with fatty liver disease. An ultrasound examination of the abdomen can aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of fatty liver.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diet
In taking care of your liver, lifestyle changes, regular exercise and a healthy diet are similar to combating metabolic syndrome. Regarding dietary choices, reduce carbohydrates, avoid refined sugars, limit unhealthy fats, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. In addition, there are herbs that benefit the liver, such as milk thistle, dandelion root, burdock root, artichoke extract and celery extract.
It is also advisable to exercise caution when taking medications, that is, they should be taken only when prescribed or needed. Medications can put a strain on the liver, as it has to work extra hard to metabolize the drugs and make them more water soluble so they can be more easily excreted from the body, and to filter out any toxic residues.
Alcohol can put considerable stress on the liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Is Fatty Liver Disease Reversible?
In the early stages, simple fatty livers are highly reversible. If detected early enough, you can reverse NAFLD and NASH with diet and lifestyle changes. Cirrhosis too can be reversible in the early period. However, in its advanced stages, it is usually irreversible.
Read J.G.'s testimonial Remarkable Recovery from Prediabetes, Fatty Liver and High Cholesterol.
Consultation to address fatty liver disease
- Discuss in detail your diet with special focus on carbohydrates, sugar and fat intake, fruits and vegetables as well as lifestyle factors.
- 13 methods to give your liver a boost.
- Tips on how to do a coffee enema to detoxify the liver.
- Advise on herbs that benefit the liver.
- Recommend a must-have supplement to boost your liver health.