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Fatty liver disease is the most common disease faced by people who overuse alcohol. Interestingly, it is more and more often diagnosed in people taking certain medications and having problems with overweight. What is fatty liver? What are the causes of this disease and how to fight it? Read how to deal with this ailment.
The liver is a multi-tasking organ, consisting of four lobes: left, right, caudate and trapezius, and its surface is divided into visceral and diaphragmatic. The liver is located in the right and left hypochondrium, it also occupies a part of the epigastric region. It is limited in the upper part by the diaphragm, while in the lower part it is adjacent to the intestines and stomach. Due to the fact that it is partially fused, it may slightly change its position during breathing.
When we take a section of the liver under a microscope, we can see that it is made of the so-called liver cells, i.e. hepatocytes. These cells take part in numerous processes in the liver, they are responsible, among others, for for the production of bile. They constitute about 80 percent. whole liver mass. The liver tissue is soft and has a reddish brown color due to the high blood content.
The blood is supplied to the liver in two ways: through the hepatic artery and the portal vein. In the first case, oxygenated blood with nutritional value reaches the liver. In the second case, the portal vein processes deoxygenated blood from the intestines, stomach and spleen, which is rich in nutrients and minerals. The liver then collects it and processes it.
The liver is responsible for the production of certain clotting factors. Its main task is to produce and secrete bile, which emulsifies fats and uses reused bile salts. The liver is also responsible for the storage and production of proteins, i.e. fibrinogen, albumin and prothrombin. The liver deals with the synthesis of cholesterol, heparin and triglycerides.
What is liver diagnosis? Read more: Liver diagnostics. Laboratory tests
The liver also plays an important role in metabolic processes, including breaks down carbohydrates into glucose and its excess into glycogen or fats; it is also responsible for the metabolism of amino acids and the breakdown of used erythrocytes. In addition, it serves as a storehouse for vitamins such as K, D and A and iron. The liver is involved in thermoregulation and reduces toxic ammonia to urea.
The liver has an important detoxification function – it neutralizes toxins and other side effects associated with the abuse of alcohol, energy drinks and certain medications. Despite its multitasking nature, the liver may not be able to cope with some ailments. One of these diseases is fatty liver.
What is body detoxification? Read more: Detoxifying the body – how to cleanse the body of toxins?
According to the international classification of diseases, we distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with the build-up of droplets of fat that have not broken down during metabolism within hepatocytes, or liver cells.
Alcoholic fatty liver, as the name suggests, is associated with alcohol abuse. The disease process itself is similar to the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Why is the liver so exposed to all kinds of alcohols? Because it is responsible for the metabolism of this substance. As a result, alcohol is transformed into two chemical compounds: acetic acid and aldehyde – substances that are dangerous to the body in large amounts.
The liver is the main filter that traps toxins in the body, so fatty liver should be taken seriously. This disease is not serious in its initial stage, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Any complaints should be consulted with your GP as soon as possible. Do not wait and make an appointment with a family doctor as part of the National Health Fund via the halodoctor.pl portal.
Find out more and read the article: Cirrhosis of the liver
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The causes of fatty liver
The excessive amount and accumulation of fats in the liver is caused by the accumulation of triglycerides in the blood. Then the liver is not able to synthesize fatty acids flowing down to it on an ongoing basis, which leads to their additional storage. The causes of the accumulation of fats in the liver include: disorders of fatty acid metabolism in adipocytes, muscles and liver, insulin resistance and oxidative stress.
In addition to alcohol abuse, fatty liver can also be caused by metabolic disorders and nutritional factors. It follows that one of the causes of this disease is obesity and overweight. Interestingly, however, fatty liver can also occur as a result of protein malnutrition or starvation. Fatty liver can also occur in people with hyperglycaemia or an overactive adrenal cortex.
The immediate causes that lead to fatty liver are problems with digestion and absorption of nutrients. It is associated with diseases such as: malabsorption syndrome; celiac disease, Crohn’s disease; ulcerative colitis and pancreatic diseases.
Fatty liver may appear as a result of metabolic disorders, such as storage disease, congenital disorder of the urea cycle and abetalipopoteinemia. Diseases in which fatty liver may develop also include infectious diseases. These are i.a. viral hepatitis C and D.
- Order OstroVit NAC today for detoxification of the body, i.e. a supplement whose ingredients support the functioning of the liver.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C? Read: Hepatitis C – Symptoms and Treatment for HCV
Symptoms of fatty liver
This disease is usually asymptomatic and the accompanying symptoms may be associated with other comorbidities. Such symptoms include: sleep disturbances; enlargement of the liver; increased glucose levels; feeling tired and generally feeling unwell; decrease in physical activity; discomfort in the right hypochondrium; spleen enlargement or abnormal lipid profile parameters.
To support the work of the liver, it is worth using Liver – a mixture of herbs, the composition of which includes, among others barberry, milk thistle and turnip.
Read more on: Blood Glucose – Serum Glucose Test, Normal
The basic tests that can detect the presence of fatty liver include ultrasound of the abdominal cavity.
In order to dispel any doubts, we can undergo other diagnostic tests, such as: magnetic resonance imaging or histopathological examination of a liver section. Fatty liver disease can be detected by blood chemistry. The presence of this disease is demonstrated by increased levels of ALT and ASPAT in the blood.
Take advantage of the test packages – liver profile, which you will find in the offer of the uPatient medical platform. The test sample is collected conveniently at the patient’s home. This package includes four blood tests to help assess the health of your liver.
What does an MRI look like? Check out the article: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, MRI) – what is it about?
Fatty liver is a reversible disease, if we follow the doctor’s recommendations, we will change our lifestyle. However, the accumulated drops of fat can be compared to a tank with a toxic substance.
Under our ignorance, chronic inflammation may appear and develop in the liver. It results from the accumulation of substances derived from visceral fat in the abdomen and dangerous bacteria from the digestive tract.
During inflammation, fat oxidizes to reactive radicals, leading to unwanted reactions that eventually destroy liver cells. The damaged cells are replaced by inflammatory cells that destroy the remnants of hepatocytes and begin the production of fibrous tissues. Years later, fibrosis in the liver can lead to liver failure.
The worst consequence of fatty liver disease may be a liver transplant. Finding the right donor and choosing when to transplant is an extremely difficult process. It takes a long time to qualify for a transplant, and a potential donor must undergo a series of imaging and laboratory tests.
What exactly is the classification for transplant? When was the first transplant performed? Read: Interesting facts about transplantology
Fatty liver – methods of treatment
Treatment of fatty liver is a long-term process that involves many aspects. It is worth starting therapies with lifestyle changes. The introduction of physical activity and proper nutrition is a mandatory step towards healing this ailment.
In addition, we should take care to reduce insulin resistance. How to do it? The starting point is effective weight reduction. Unfortunately, visceral adipose tissue is very resistant to slimming, but reducing it in only a few percent may have the desired effect. The process of losing weight in people struggling with insulin resistance should be supervised by a professional trainer in cooperation with a dietitian.
So far, it has not been established specifically what drugs are able to completely overcome fatty liver. However, it has been noticed that the use of lipid-lowering drugs has a significant effect on the treatment of fatty liver. It is also worth remembering that the menu includes the necessary phospholipids that protect hepatocytes and significantly reduce oxidative stress.
Antioxidant supplementation is also important during treatment. We can take them in tablets or in the form of raw vegetables and fruits. The treatment of fatty liver is also supported by dietary supplements that increase the level of adiponectin, a hormone responsible for: fatty acid synthesis, lowering ALT activity, increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the characteristics of fatty liver. As an adjunct in the treatment of fatty liver, it is worth using HepaDr. in tablets – Diather brand dietary supplement available on Medonet Market.
Want to learn more about lowering ALT activity? Read: ALAT research – alanine aminotransferase, indications, purpose, research
People struggling with fatty liver should avoid alcohol and fatty, fried foods. Fat meat should be replaced with boiled, roasted or steamed meat. It is similar with cold meats – you should choose those with a lower fat content.
An important aspect in the diet for people suffering from fatty liver is the consumption of large amounts of vegetables, i.e. pickled cucumbers; tomatoes; carrot; lettuce; Chinese cabbage and chicory. The diet should also include fruits such as apples; tangerines; watermelon, kiwi; peach; melon and bananas.
When preparing dishes, rapeseed oil or universal oil should be replaced with olive oil. Patients suffering from fatty liver should switch to lean dairy products, which include low-fat white cheese; Soured milk; buttermilk; kefir; soft-boiled eggs and natural yoghurt.
The diet should include grain products rich in fiber and many nutrients. They include various types of groats, including millet and barley, all kinds of flakes, preferably wheat and oat. White bread should be replaced with dark, multi-grain bread. By the way, it is worth limiting eating sweets and replacing them with healthier equivalents. We can arrange a diet ourselves or seek help from a dietitian.
In order to achieve the desired effect and stop the effects of fatty liver, you need to take care of regular physical activity, which will allow you to lose unnecessary kilograms and relieve the liver. Exercises should be introduced gradually, after prior consultation with the trainer.
How to deal with sugar withdrawal? Read: Freed from sweetness