A fatty liver is characterized as a liver with a weight that is made up of more than 5 to 10 percent of fat, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Also referred to as steatosis, it's a form of liver disease that often develops as a result of obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol or high triglycerides. It may also stem from alcohol abuse, malnutrition and rapid weight loss. The cause of the fatty liver usually dictates the form of treatment. However, lifestyle modifications can sometime lower the risk factors contributing to the condition. This frequently includes a change in diet.
Reducing Saturated Fat
Reducing your saturated fat intake can help you better control fatty liver disease, explains the Mayo Clinic. Saturated fat is predominantly found in foods derived from animals, such as beef, pork, lamb, poultry fat, lard, butter, cream, milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products. It's also found in palm oil, coconut oil and cocoa butter. Stick with lean cuts of meat, skinless poultry, skim milk and low-fat dairy to limit your saturated fat intake.
Managing Cholesterol
As part of a low-fat diet to control fatty liver disease, the American Liver Foundation also recommends taking steps to lower your cholesterol levels. Besides reducing saturated fat intake, limiting trans-fatty acids to no more than 1 percent of your total calories and total fat intake to less than 25 to 35 percent of your total calories can help improve cholesterol. You should also lower your dietary cholesterol to 200 mg each day, advises the American Heart Association.
Lowering Calories
Simply lowering your fat and cholesterol intake doesn't necessarily help improve fatty liver disease. Sometimes you need to reduce your caloric intake. Reducing the amount of calories you eat each day can not only encourage weight loss, which is known to better control your condition when overweight or obese, but also improve triglyceride levels, another factor that contributes to fatty liver. With weight loss, aim for 1 to 2 lbs. a week, asserts the Cleveland Clinic.
Maintaining a Healthy Diet
It isn't enough to just lower your fat, cholesterol and caloric intake. Try to maintain a healthy diet to control fatty liver disease, notes the American Liver Foundation. This includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains with moderate amounts of lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy.
Increasing Physical Activity
Along with dietary changes, it's also important to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, advises the Cleveland Clinic. A good rule of thumb is 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Choose activities you enjoy, such as hiking, biking, swimming, cross-country skiing or taking part in a competitive sport to better control fatty liver disease.
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