Fatty degeneration of the liver

Fatty liver is not the name of a dish, and not an insult, which doctors scold lovers of fast food behind their backs. In fact, this is a term denoting a pathological condition of the liver, provoked by excess fatty deposits in cells – hepatocytes.

However, more often you can find other names: fatty hepatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fatty liver, steatosis. What is this disease and how to deal with it?

What is fatty liver

The puzzle lover will suggest that this disease is caused by excessive consumption of fats. And it turns out to be right. At least in part.

“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease develops when there is a metabolic disorder in the body,” says gastroenterologist, author of the book “Liver, Habits and Happiness”, author of the Instagram blog Maria Lopatina. “This is a disease of the XNUMXst century associated with an excess and availability of refined foods: saturated fats and simple carbohydrates, sweet carbonated drinks, juices, fast food, canned food.

The root of evil again lies in malnutrition. But this is far from the only reason. What else is there?

Causes of fatty degeneration of the liver

The second point is low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.

– Sedentary work in the office, spending free time in front of the TV worsen the metabolism, and also contribute to the accumulation of fat in the liver. Combining a high-calorie diet with a sedentary lifestyle is a direct path to the development of fatty liver, warns Dr. Lopatina.

If you prefer TV shows to walks and the gym (eating them with pizza!), And to cover a distance of a couple of blocks you call a taxi, listen: maybe your liver is already begging for mercy.

However, this list of reasons is not exhausted.

– In addition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease develops in people with metabolic syndrome, which is manifested by an increase in waist circumference of more than 80 cm in women, more than 94 cm in men, an increase in blood pressure and blood glucose levels and a violation of fat metabolism, continues Maria Lopatina .

Symptoms of fatty liver

Disease is insidious! At first, a person may not even guess that something is wrong with the liver.

“Most often, fatty liver disease in the early stages is asymptomatic and is an incidental finding on ultrasound,” our expert notes. – As the disease progresses, complaints of weakness and fatigue, heaviness or aching pain in the right hypochondrium without regard to food intake, nausea (usually on an empty stomach) appear.

Treatment of fatty degeneration of the liver

But you must admit, it is unlikely that anyone will go for an ultrasound scan without an urgent need. Usually we make an appointment with the doctor when we are already “completely pressed”. How difficult will the treatment be if the process is started?

– Fatty liver disease is a signal that the work of the body has given a serious failure. But with a timely change in lifestyle, this disease is completely reversible, says Maria Lopatina. – The main secret of the treatment of fatty liver disease is in the normalization of nutrition and body weight (if it is excessive), and not in taking medications.

Diagnostics

Who should be contacted first if there is a suspicion of a liver problem?

“Examination for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is prescribed by a gastroenterologist,” says our expert. – In the diagnosis, laboratory methods are used (biochemical blood test, testing for viral hepatitis, and others) and instrumental (ultrasound of the abdominal organs, in some cases – liver elastometry, which allows you to assess the density of the liver tissue).

An important point: before making a diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, more than 40 grams of alcohol per day for men and 20 grams for women are excluded. In other words, before going to the clinic – no, no!

Modern treatments

The main thing in the treatment of fatty liver is not drug therapy, but proper nutrition and exercise.

According to Dr. Lopatina, the optimal type of diet for fatty liver disease is the Mediterranean diet. Sounds romantic, right? And delicious!

– The diet is characterized by a high consumption of vegetables, herbs and fruits, grains, legumes, nuts (a handful per day), olive oil (4 tablespoons per day). It is optimal to eat fish and seafood at least 2 times a week, and red meat – no more than 2 times a week, giving preference to poultry, – explains the gastroenterologist. – But sweet carbonated drinks, packaged fruit juices, fast food – we exclude. Sweets, pastries, canned food, sausages – we limit as much as possible. Even if you stick to the Mediterranean diet only 50%, you can stop the progression of fatty liver disease.

Eating right is half the battle. You also need to love exercise. At least 15 minutes a day.

This includes daily aerobic activities: swimming, walking, jogging, cycling, skiing, tennis, gymnastics. Liver and sports – where is the connection, you ask. There is a logical explanation.

“The influx of oxygen into the muscles provokes a more active utilization of fatty acids and prevents their accumulation in the liver,” says Dr. Lopatina. – The most effective loads are not accompanied by discomfort and pain in the muscles. 15 minutes of exercise per day reduces the risk of mortality by 14% and increases life expectancy by 3 years in patients with fatty liver disease.

But drugs are used if diet and exercise do not work.

Prevention of fatty liver at home

Everything is simple: it is enough to follow four points.

1. Healthy eating (Mediterranean diet).
2. Physical activity.
3. To give up smoking.
4. Reducing excess body weight (if any) by 7-10%.

Popular questions and answers

We asked about the treatment of fatty liver gastroenterologist Maria Lopatina.