How to Prevent a Fatty Liver

How to Prevent a Fatty Liver
by Nicole Cutler

1. Fatty liver, also known as steatosis, is an accumulation of fat in the liver that
typically does not cause liver damage.

2. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the accumulation of fat in the liver
accompanied by hepatic inflammation. Fibrous tissue can form with NASH, which can
progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects more women than men and is found in all age
groups, including children. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is typically diagnosed in
middle-aged people who are overweight, diabetic and who have elevated cholesterol
and triglyceride levels. A person is considered to have a fatty liver when the fat
makes up at least 10% of the liver.

Causes of Fatty Liver

The cause of NAFLD is unclear. The most prominent reasons for accumulation of fat
in the liver are significant weight gain and diabetes mellitus. Fatty liver can also occur
with poor diet and certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis, intestinal bypass surgery for
obesity, and specific drugs such as corticosteroids, or heavy alcohol use. Eating fatty
food by itself does not produce a fatty liver.

Possible explanations for a fatty liver include:

The transfer of fat from other parts of the body to the liver

An increase in the extraction of fat presented to the liver from the intestines

The inability of the liver to transform fat into a form that can be eliminated

An increasing number of experts believe that metabolic syndrome, a cluster of
disorders that increase diabetes, heart disease and stroke risk, may play a
critical role in the development of NAFLD. Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
include:

Obesity - The risk of NAFLD increases with every pound of excess weight. More
than 70 percent of people with NASH are obese, having a body mass index of
30 or higher.

Hyperlipidemia -- High levels of triglycerides or low levels of high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can cause hyperlipidemia. As many as 80 percent
of people with NASH have elevated cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.

Diabetes - This common metabolic disorder is characterized by resistance to
insulin, the hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood. Recent
studies have demonstrated insulin resistance to be the primary trigger for fatty
liver development. Statistics show that up to 75 percent of people with NASH
also have diabetes.

Understanding Insulin Resistance

A hormone released by the pancreas, insulin is dispersed into the bloodstream in
response to elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. By pushing glucose out of the
bloodstream and into the body's cells, insulin keeps blood glucose levels from
becoming too elevated. When these cells receive glucose, they convert it to energy.
When glucose is not metabolized properly, (when the cells are insulin-resistant),
energy production is diminished, resulting in fatigue.

Insulin resistance prohibits glucose from entering the cells, causing it to accumulate in
the blood. In an attempt to reduce the glucose in the blood, the body signals the
pancreas to produce and release more insulin. High blood insulin levels increase
triglycerides, which deposit fatty acids in the liver.

Being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle and eating a diet rich in sugar and fat all
promote insulin resistance. In extreme cases of insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus
develops. Approximately 70 percent of diabetics have some form of NAFLD, and 5 to
20 percent of people with diabetes have cirrhosis due to NASH. Independent of fatty
liver disease, diabetes in itself is believed to be a risk factor for the development of
cirrhosis.

Corrective Action

Since some estimates suggest that as many as one in four people with NAFLD may
develop serious liver disease within 10 years, it is important to consider preventative
and treatment options. The preferred course of action will depend on each person's
fatty liver cause. Preferred methods include:

Weight loss and exercise - A diet and exercise program will reduce the amount
of accumulated fat in the liver. The most effective diet is high in fiber, vitamins
and minerals, while also being low in calories and saturated fat. Safe weight loss
must occur slowly, as a loss of more than two pounds a week may accelerate
liver disease progression. Regardless of one's current weight, a healthy diet and
daily physical activity will reduce inflammation, lower elevated liver enzyme
levels and decrease insulin resistance.

Diabetes control - Strict management of diabetes with diet, medications or
insulin lowers blood sugar, which may prevent further liver damage. It may also
reduce the amount of accumulated fat in the liver.

Cholesterol control - Controlling elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides
with diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications may help stabilize or
reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Avoid toxic substances - With NAFLD, especially the more severe version NASH,
alcohol elimination is imperative. It is also important to avoid medications and
other substances that can cause liver damage. Talk to your doctor about what
to avoid.

Antioxidants - Vitamins E and C, alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetyl cysteine are
antioxidants that may reduce liver damage caused by oxidation, a process
where unstable oxygen molecules damage cell membranes.

Milk Thistle - Scientific studies suggest that this herb's chief constituent aids in
the protection, healing and repair of the liver. With physician permission, seek a
high quality, highly absorbable milk thistle for best results.

Omega-3 fatty acids - Found primarily in cold water fish, fish oils, flax and
flaxseed oils, and walnuts, omega-3 fatty acids help protect the liver and reduce
inflammation.

Due to their close relationship, recovering from a fatty liver is identical to the steps
necessary to combat insulin resistance A commitment to health through instituting
lifestyle changes is our nation's best hope for reducing the occurrence of nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease.

References:

Patrick, Lyn, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: relationship to insulin sensitivity and oxidative stress.
Treatment approaches using vitamin E, magnesium, and betaine, Alternative Medicine Review, 2002,
7(4):276-291.
http://www.liverdisease.com, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH), Melissa Palmer, MD, 2004.
http://www.liverfoundation.org/, What is NAFLD/NASH? (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver
Disease/Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis), The American Liver Foundation, 2003.

http://www.mayoclinic.com, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Mayo Foundation, 2/21/2005.

http://www.medicinenet.com, Body Fat, The Silent Killer: Obesity Can Lead to Fatty Liver, Dennis
Lee, MD, 4/6/05.

About The Author

Nicole Cutler

This article was prepared for . Visit us to learn more about liver
health, and the benefits of .

Along with the increasing incidence of
obesity and diabetes in Western
countries, nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) has also become a
growing problem. Although its true
prevalence is unknown, some
estimates suggest NAFLD may
already affect as many as one-third
of American adults.

NAFLD describes two conditions
affecting people who drink little or no
alcohol. The first is a mild condition,
while the second represents its
progression to a more severe disease.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.