What is Fatty Liver (Steatosis)?
About one of every five Americans has a fatty
liver, which is also called steatosis. In fact, up to 9 of every 10 diabetics
and people with obesity have fatty liver.
“Fatty liver” has become increasingly common in recent years due to the rising levels of obesity in the world.
As I've already stated, it now affects more than 2.1 BILLION PEOPLE.
As I've already stated, it now affects more than 2.1 BILLION PEOPLE.
That's 1/3 of the entire world population!
So why is this so important to your health, and your life?
Well, what might surprise you is that your liver is the second most important organ in your body - after the brain.
Well, what might surprise you is that your liver is the second most important organ in your body - after the brain.
So what exactly is a Fatty Liver?
In steatosis, pronounced
stee-ah-toe-sis, fat accumulates in the cells of the liver. The condition is
cumulative, and as more fat is added to the cells, the cytoplasm of the liver
is distorted. Soon the nucleus may be distorted and in some cases, the cell may
even burst. Since all this extra fat is not supposed to be in the cell to begin
with, you can imagine how the excess begins to interfere with liver function.
There are two types of
fatty liver disease: alcohol-related fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease. Even without drinking a drop of alcohol, you could end up
with a fatty liver - and many people do!
Here are the details of
each of these disorders:
Alcohol-related Fatty
Liver Disease Alcohol causes steatosis, and the question many people ask is how
much alcohol does it take to end up with alcohol-related fatty liver disease?
The amount of alcohol differs for men and for women. If you're a woman, more
than two drinks per day could cause alcohol-related steatosis.
If you're a man, three
or more drinks a day is the amount that is far too much for the liver to
handle. Twelve ounces of 5% alcoholic beer, cooler or cider is equal to one
serving. When it comes to wine, 5 ounces of 12% alcoholic wine is one serving.
And only 1.5 ounces of 40% spirits is a serving.
Non-alcoholic Fatty
Liver Disease If you're not drinking any alcohol and still have steatosis, then
the reasons why you ended up with it vary. For example, you could have had
rapid weight loss, or protein deficiency in your diet (called protein
malnutrition), or even starvation, such as what a prisoner of war might end up
with. Those who have had intestinal bypass surgery are more prone to get
steatosis, as are those who have to be fed via tube feedings for long periods
of time.
Some drugs such as
corticosteroids and tetracycline can cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
And diabetes or insulin resistance plus high blood pressure may also be the
cause of it.
How do I treat a Fatty Liver?
There are several strategies that are used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and facilitate the reversal of the condition. Below are 7 of them with an explanation of why they work:
1. Exercise
Exercise will help you lose weight, especially if you participate in some of the most advanced gym workouts that never give you more than a 30-second rest. These types of workouts use body weight for resistance, and include exercises such as push-ups and situps in various positions. The instructor discusses how you can do the exercises while you are still doing the previous set! Some people love this type of workout because they end up burning 600 calories in a session! Weight loss happens easily with this method.
Exercise will help you lose weight, especially if you participate in some of the most advanced gym workouts that never give you more than a 30-second rest. These types of workouts use body weight for resistance, and include exercises such as push-ups and situps in various positions. The instructor discusses how you can do the exercises while you are still doing the previous set! Some people love this type of workout because they end up burning 600 calories in a session! Weight loss happens easily with this method.
2. Weight Loss Program
A weight loss program is essential if you are overweight or obese since it contributes to fatty liver. However, whichever one you select, you should make sure you can be committed to it. A failing diet means prolonged fatty liver - and your life could depend on the success of the diet.
A weight loss program is essential if you are overweight or obese since it contributes to fatty liver. However, whichever one you select, you should make sure you can be committed to it. A failing diet means prolonged fatty liver - and your life could depend on the success of the diet.
3. Avoiding Foods with Saturated Fats
Medical professionals tend to believe that saturated fat is the culprit in fatty liver disease; however, they haven't kept up-to-date on the latest information. Saturated fat is stable in the diet and doesn't create the free radicals that accelerate the fatty liver damage and accumulation of fat. It's the unsaturated fats that are the culprits - vegetable oils, hydrogenated fats, and fats heated to high temperatures. Saturated fat is only a problem if you eat too much of it and pack on pounds.
Medical professionals tend to believe that saturated fat is the culprit in fatty liver disease; however, they haven't kept up-to-date on the latest information. Saturated fat is stable in the diet and doesn't create the free radicals that accelerate the fatty liver damage and accumulation of fat. It's the unsaturated fats that are the culprits - vegetable oils, hydrogenated fats, and fats heated to high temperatures. Saturated fat is only a problem if you eat too much of it and pack on pounds.
4. Controlling Cholesterol Levels
Some sources say that controlling cholesterol levels should be done with statins while other sources say that statins cause fatty liver. Cholesterol levels may be high because of low copper levels, low or dysfunctional thyroid, or an overall poor diet. It's best to attack the root cause instead of going after the symptom of high cholesterol.
Some sources say that controlling cholesterol levels should be done with statins while other sources say that statins cause fatty liver. Cholesterol levels may be high because of low copper levels, low or dysfunctional thyroid, or an overall poor diet. It's best to attack the root cause instead of going after the symptom of high cholesterol.
5. Diabetes Control
The insulin resistance of diabetes contributes to overweight and fatty liver. Regulating your blood sugar levels is essential for fatty liver reversal.
The insulin resistance of diabetes contributes to overweight and fatty liver. Regulating your blood sugar levels is essential for fatty liver reversal.
6. Eating Low Glycemic Index Foods
Studies have shown that blood sugar levels are lowered significantly when a low glycemic index food diet is eaten. The term "low glycemic index" refers to carbohydrates. Grains are not low glycemic index, and neither are processed foods including macaroni, cakes, cookies, candy, high sugar fruits, potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes. Of course, protein and healthy fats are still allowed on this type of diet to round it out to a good healthy diet. Good healthy diets always contain protein, fat and carbohydrates, the ratio of them is what makes the biggest difference.
Studies have shown that blood sugar levels are lowered significantly when a low glycemic index food diet is eaten. The term "low glycemic index" refers to carbohydrates. Grains are not low glycemic index, and neither are processed foods including macaroni, cakes, cookies, candy, high sugar fruits, potatoes, corn and sweet potatoes. Of course, protein and healthy fats are still allowed on this type of diet to round it out to a good healthy diet. Good healthy diets always contain protein, fat and carbohydrates, the ratio of them is what makes the biggest difference.
7. Avoiding Any and All Alcohol
Although someone with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease doesn't have the condition due to their sporadic intake of alcohol, eliminating alcohol is required in order to reverse the condition. Even a small amount of alcohol is a bad amount to consume because the liver is unable to process it and instead will accumulate the triglycerides in the alcohol in the liver. This will worsen the condition.
Although someone with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease doesn't have the condition due to their sporadic intake of alcohol, eliminating alcohol is required in order to reverse the condition. Even a small amount of alcohol is a bad amount to consume because the liver is unable to process it and instead will accumulate the triglycerides in the alcohol in the liver. This will worsen the condition.
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