Fatty liver is a condition in which fat accumulates in your liver cells. This excess fat can cause inflammation and liver damage, resulting in scarring and, in severe cases, liver failure. Obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and excessive alcohol consumption are all common causes of fatty liver. Symptoms may include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and swelling in the abdomen, but there may be no symptoms at all. The good news is that fatty liver can be reversed by making lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
Who Can Be Affected By Fatty Liver?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can affect anyone. However, the following factors can put you at risk:
- Being overweight or obese,
- Type 2 diabetes,
- High BP,
- High cholesterol,
- Metabolic syndrome.
That’s not all. You need to be careful of the risk of NAFLD, if:
- You’re on certain medications,
- You notice a rapid weight loss.
How Can We Reverse Fatty Liver?
There’s no need to be disheartened yet, as the good news is that fatty liver is reversible with the right lifestyle changes along with medical treatment.
The first step in reversing fatty liver is to make some lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle changes are often most talked about but are highly underrated. If you maintain a healthy weight and follow a healthy and balanced diet with a regular workout routine, you can do wonders for your health. If you aim to lose just 5 to 10% of your body weight, you can significantly improve your liver function by reducing inflammation, so go on walks, lift weights, or try resistance training. Exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation in the liver and improving liver function. Try to get at least 3 hours of moderate-intensity exercises every week and include whole foods in your meals, such as fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats, not just for a healthier liver but for overall health.
In addition to lifestyle changes, medical treatments are available for fatty liver.
These treatments can aid in the improvement of liver function and the reduction of inflammation. Some medications that have been shown to be effective in treating fatty liver include vitamin E, pioglitazone, and pentoxifylline. These medications can help reduce inflammation in the liver and improve insulin sensitivity.
Medical conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol can make it harder for you to care for your liver. Your focus should be on following the right lifestyle habits to avoid them, and if you already have them, managing and treating these conditions can improve liver function.
Fatty liver can sometimes be reversed with more advanced medical treatments. Your doctor may recommend a liver biopsy to determine the extent of liver damage and thereby lay down a treatment plan. A biopsy, for example, can help decide if a liver transplant is required.
So even though a fatty liver can be reversed in many cases with the right lifestyle changes and medical treatment, it’s important to remember that this can be a trying process and requires patience and consistency. Working closely with your healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs can make all the difference in having a healthier liver.
In Conclusion
Fatty liver is reversible with the right lifestyle changes and medical treatment. Maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and managing underlying medical conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol can all help improve liver function and reduce inflammation. Treatments depend on how far your condition has progressed therefore, more advanced medical treatments may be necessary for severe cases. But with patience and persistence, it’s possible to reverse fatty liver and improve liver health.
For more info, visit Canadian Pharmacy