Do You Have Fatty Liver Disease?

Fatty liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition that most people have never heard of, but up to 25% of us are living with it (many without even knowing).

When you have NAFLD excess fat accumulates in your liver and creates a major risk of diabetes, heart attacks and even cancer.

NAFLD is usually diagnosed by blood tests or an ultrasound.

It can cause a cascade of serious issues:

• It causes inflammation in the body, which can
• create insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, which in turn
• causes the body to deposit fat not just in your liver, but also all around the organs and in the belly

Most people with NAFLD have few or no symptoms but some people may complain of fatigue, malaise and dull right-upper-quadrant abdominal discomfort.

Given the name, you probably think it is caused by excess fat in the diet. This is not always the case!

Fatty liver disease is mostly caused by all the sugar and starch/flour in our diet.

Sugar, especially high fructose corn syrup found in our processed foods is one of the biggest causes of fatty liver disease.

Strategies to Fix Fatty Liver Disease

The primary goal in most cases of fatty liver disease is improving insulin sensitivity through diet and supplementation.

If you suspect you have NAFLD, visit your ND or MD. If you know you do, these strategies can help.

Watch those soft drinks and juices

The elimination of high-glycemic-index foods is a critical step in both the prevention and the treatment of NAFLD. One study found that 80% of NAFLD patients drank enough soft drinks and juices to add the equivalent of 12 tsp of sugar or more to their diet.

Eliminate high fructose corn syrup

Read labels – high fructose corn syrup can show up where you least expect it, especially in salad dressings, sauces, ketchup or tomato sauce.

Reduce or eliminate starch

Get rid of the white, refined and processed flour. Even whole grain flours can be a problem for some.

Include good fats in the diet

Olive oil, avocados, coconut oil and fish oil actually support your liver, as counter-intuitive as it may seem to eat fats to prevent a disease with "Fatty" in the title.

Sulfur & fibre

Increase foods that are rich in compounds that help protect the liver from damage and improve liver function which include; high sulfur foods such as garlic, legumes, onions; and good sources of soluble fibre such as pears, oat bran, apples and vegetables in the brassica family especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage; as well as artichokes, beets and dandelion.

Give your liver a break

Minimize or eliminate substances that increase stress on the liver such as excess coffee and alcohol.

Supplement your liver function with these:

• Silymarin, the powerful extract found in milk thistle has the most impressive research on protecting the liver from damage and enhancing detoxification, especially increasing the liver’s content of glutathione – a key compound in liver function that is low in people with NAFLD.
• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is another molecule that supports and replenishes the natural antioxidant glutathione, sparing liver cells from the effects of oxidant and free radical damage.
• S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) also replenishes glutathione levels and restores liver cell protection to normal. Antioxidants such as SAMe, NAC and ALA help to improve levels of liver enzymes and decrease inflammation.
• Betaine, choline, methionine, vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12 are important lipotropic agents, compounds that promote the flow of fat and bile to and from the liver. They produce a “decongesting” effect on the liver and promote improved liver function and fat metabolism. Lipotropic formulas appear to increase the levels of two important liver substances: SAM-e and glutathione.
• Magnesium levels have been shown to be significantly lower in those with NAFLD. Suboptimal magnesium status may contribute to the insulin resistance that plays a role in the development of NAFLD.
• Bile Acids from ox bile are effective in promoting the flow of bile and fat to and from the liver and relieving liver congestion.

March is Liver Health Month!

Help Spread Awareness about Prevention and Optimal Liver Health.