Fatty Liver – Am I a Victim?

There are millions of people around the world in treatment for fatty liver, and many others who suffer from it but are not aware of that. In fact, some medical experts are calling it the “new epidemic in America.”

Fatty liver occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of fat deposits in your liver cells.

Most people ignore the early signs or take them lightly and for this reason fail to diagnose it in time. When the person experiences symptoms such as chronic stomach pain, fatigue, or nausea and seeks treatment only then does he/she realize they were suffering from fatty liver.

In most cases, fatty liver disease is a mild condition that is easy to treat. However, if left untreated, this condition causes inflammation of the liver. This is usually when a person starts to notice the symptoms. Chronic inflammation and damage to the cells can lead to irreversible damage to your liver. In severe cases, the cells may even burst.

In medical terminology this disease is called Steatosis. Steatosis comes in two forms: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD) and Alcoholic Steatosis. NAFLD occurs in those who suffer from obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or ovarian cysts but who seldom or never drinks alcohol. Alcoholic Steatosis is a result of the over-consumption of alcohol.

Steatosis is the most reversible form of liver disease. However, if not treated in time, it can progress to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), which cannot be reversed. Cirrhosis is a serious condition that can result in jaundice, fluid retention, gallstones, intestinal bleeding and in many cases even death.

If you have some or most of these symptoms then you may be suffering from fatty liver.

Weight gain

Obesity

Stomach Pain

Chronic Fatigue

Nausea

Skin Rashes

Infections

Bruising

Bad breath

Digestive problems

Hypertension

Diabetes

High blood sugar

For women the symptoms may also include:

Menstrual problems

Hormone imbalances

Metabolic syndrome

Ovarian cysts

All we have to do is take a good look at the lifestyle we are living to see why this is happening.

Most people eat a diet filled with sugar and refined carbohydrates (processed white flour foods, crackers, rice, noodles, cereal, etc.). They do not drink enough water or get enough exercise. And, if that is not enough, all the fast food most people eat only adds to the problem.

First, losing weight is by far the most important thing you can do. Medical studies show that people who lose just 5 percent of their body weight have lower rates of fat accumulation in the liver. Those who lose only 9 percent have shown a complete reversal of their liver disease.

Second, lowering your blood sugar is essential to reversing this condition. Cutting down on sugar and refined carbohydrates will lower your blood sugar and ease the stress on your liver.

Finally, cleansing your liver is the key to good health. Drinking plenty of water and getting enough exercise will improve circulation and help flush excess fat, sugar and toxins.

Here are 7 Important Tips for Healing

1. Add more fresh vegetables, fruits and yogurt to your diet.

2. Cut down on sugar and processed carbohydrates (foods made from white flour).

3. Eat whole grain breads, cereals, crackers and other fiber rich foods.

4. Stay away from beef and pork. Instead, eat lean white meats such as chicken and fish.

5. Limit your intake of alcohol.

6. Drink plenty of water to cleanse excess sugar and fat deposits.

7. Exercise to improve circulation and flush toxic buildup.

If you think you have fatty liver, it is time to visit your family doctor for a complete check up. Your doctor can diagnose it by giving you a physical examination and blood test.

You can reverse fatty liver with a few simple diet and lifestyle changes.