Fatty liver disease is a chronic condition caused by excess fat accumulation in the liver due to unhealthy lifestyle and diet choices or excessive alcohol consumption. The two most common causes are alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is linked to conditions like obesity, sedentary lifestyles, poor diets (rich in refined carbs and saturated fats), and metabolic conditions, including insulin resistance and diabetes. You can get tested for fatty liver through sonography or a fibro scan. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol consumption, and staying hydrated can help reverse fatty liver.
As covered by a recent article on Indian Express, fatty liver disease is a chronic condition that affects a significant percentage of people. It is diagnosed when excess fat gets accumulated in the liver, usually due to unhealthy lifestyle and diet choices or excessive alcohol consumption. However, the good news is that by adopting certain healthy habits, one can control and even reverse the condition.
Dr Vishakha Shivdasani, in an Instagram video, explained that fatty liver remains undetected in most cases as people are not tested for it. Speaking with Indian Express, Dr Bipin Vibhute, Liver and Multi-organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, stated that alcohol usage and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the two most frequent causes of fatty liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease can result from excessive alcohol consumption, whereas NAFLD is linked to conditions like obesity, sedentary lifestyles, poor diets (rich in refined carbs and saturated fats), and metabolic conditions, including insulin resistance and diabetes.
It is important to get tested for fatty liver through sonography or a fibro scan. If diagnosed with fatty liver, one can make certain lifestyle changes to reverse the condition. Dr Abdul Majeed, Gastroenterologist Centre for Gastro Sciences Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode, shared some lifestyle changes that can help reverse fatty liver. They are:
1. Maintain a healthy weight: Aim to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise. Losing weight, if overweight or obese, can reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver.
2. Follow a healthy diet: Emphasize a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as those found in nuts, avocados, and olive oil. Limit the intake of processed foods, sugary beverages, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates.
4. Avoid alcohol consumption: Avoiding alcohol is crucial. It is the best way to prevent liver damage from getting worse.
5. Stay hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to keep the liver healthy and functioning properly.
To culminate, fatty liver disease is a chronic lifestyle disease that affects a significant percentage of people. However, it can be controlled and even reversed by adopting healthy habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol consumption, and staying hydrated. So, make these lifestyle changes today to ensure a healthy liver and a healthy life.
