Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease – who may be affected, diagnosis, diet changes

Proven content

When our liver gets fat, we usually don’t realize it because it doesn’t hurt. Meanwhile, the accumulation of fat in its cells can lead to the complete destruction of this organ. However, the fatty liver process can be stopped and even reversed.

Material in collaboration with Essentiale Forte

The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body responsible for over 500 functions [1]. Without it, we wouldn’t have survived one day. It is not only the abuse of alcohol or painkillers that destroys the liver cells. An unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity are responsible for the increase in the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In Poland, 6 million people already suffer from this disease, which is as much as 15 percent. society [2].

What protects liver cells?

The liver consists mainly of hepatocyte cells. Their cell membrane consists of phospholipids arranged like bricks. They have the remarkable ability to selectively let only certain molecules into a cell. When cell membranes are damaged, whole cell function is impaired. For example, if we consume too much saturated fatty acids, and if the diet is deficient in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the synthesis of phospholipids in the liver is disturbed. And their reduced level, changes in composition or structure expose the liver to damage and lead to disturbances in its work. As a result, inflammation develops and destroys it [3,4].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

In healthy people, fat constitutes 3-5 percent. liver weight. When there is more of it, a problem arises. Obesity is the major risk factor for fatty liver. It also threatens diabetics and people with too high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and hypertension. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a mild disease, but about 15-20% of patients suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. patients lead to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which in turn in approx. 20 percent. can develop cirrhosis and cause death due to complications, including about 10% of in the form of primary liver cancer. In most cases, the disease is asymptomatic. Sometimes it causes ailments that are also typical of other diseases, so it is difficult to interpret them unequivocally – malaise, fatigue, decreased physical and sometimes mental performance, sleep disturbances and aching or discomfort in the right hypochondrium [2].

Diagnosing fatty liver

Correct diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease requires a careful history. It is necessary to exclude alcohol abuse and other liver diseases, such as viral inflammations, metabolic or genetic diseases. Testing the activity of hepatic transaminases (AST, ALT) is helpful in the diagnosis. ALT levels are usually increased early in the course of the disease, but sometimes the result may be normal. People with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease often have elevated serum glucose levels and abnormal lipids. Less commonly, an increase in iron concentration. It is essential to have an ultrasound to see the features of the steatosis. Some patients experience enlargement of the liver, less often the spleen. Sometimes a biopsy is also performed along with a histological examination [5].

Changes needed immediately

Changing your diet is the first step in treating this disease. It should be low in calories, rich in unsaturated fatty acids and natural antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C. In people who are overweight, weight reduction is recommended. Exercise helps you lose weight and increases insulin sensitivity. About 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 5 times a week is recommended. Fast walking, swimming and cycling are standard. The combination of diet and exercise reduces the release of pro-inflammatory factors and improves the lipid profile. Exercise also reduces the activity of liver enzymes. Weight loss should not exceed 1 kg per week, as drastic weight loss may exacerbate the symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [6].

Reconstruction of defensive walls

It is also important to protect liver cells from damage. Taking phospholipids that build their membrane has a protective effect and also reduces inflammation. Phospholipids are produced by our body and supplied with food. Their sources are, among others: yolks, peanuts and walnuts, soybeans, asparagus, fish, oatmeal, beef liver. In the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, it is worth taking preparations with phospholipids, such as, for example, Essentiale Forte. In order for them to be incorporated into the structures of cell membranes, they should contain a lot of linoleic acid, polyunsaturated 3-sn – phosphatidylcholine and dilinoleylphosphatidylcholine, which has a beneficial effect not only on the structure of the cell membrane, but also on its functions. So you should only buy high-quality preparations. The phospholipids delivered in this way accelerate the regeneration of the liver, inhibit its fibrosis, reducing the risk of cirrhosis, and due to the normalization of cholesterol levels, they have a beneficial anti-atherosclerotic effect [7].

Material in collaboration with Essentiale Forte

Reference:

1. Rózga J et al. What’s new in hepatic replacement therapy? Hepatologia 2014; 14: 139-148.

Kuntz E et al. Hepatology. Chapter 3. Biochemistry and Functions of the Liver. Springer Medizin

Verlag. Heidelberg 2006: 31-71.

2. Kargulewicz A. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease – etiopathogenesis,

epidemiology, treatment. Nowiny Lekarskie 2010, 79, 5, 410-418.

3. Sawicki W. Histology. PZWL Medical Publishing. Warsaw 2005: 430-431, 434-438.

4. Gundermann KJ et al. Activity of Essential Phospholipids (EPL) From Soybeen in Liver Diseases.

Pharmacol Rep 2011; 63(3):643-59.

5. Banaszak M., Stachowska E., Pathogenesis of NAFLD in the light of the results of the latest research,

Advances in Biochemistry 63 (3) 2017.

6. Maciejewska D., Stachowska E., Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – epidemic XXI

age, Postępy Hygiene and Experimental Medicine 2018; 72: 659-670.

7. Kozłowska-Wojciechowska M. Essential phospholipids. Therapy 2014; 6 of 2 (307): 13-15.

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