Health Diet For Fatty Liver

Fatty liver, or steatosis, is a condition caused by the excessive accumulation of lipid molecules within the cells of the liver. Steatosis is the liver's natural response to injury, and it can develop in a variety of situations. Pregnancy and alcoholism are common causes of steatosis, but, according to a 2006 article in "American Family Physician," this condition is becoming even more widespread as the prevalence of obesity grows.

Triglycerides

The fats you consume in your food are converted to fatty acids in your gut. These fatty acids are absorbed in your intestine and eventually transported to your liver, where they are assembled into triglyceride molecules. One of your liver's many important tasks is the synthesis, packaging and transport of triglycerides, which are just a convenient mechanism for moving fatty acids from one place to another in your body. Under normal circumstances, your liver only stores small amounts of triglycerides for short periods of time.

NAFLD

Over time, a high-fat diet delivers more fatty acids to your liver than it can readily process, so the excess is converted to triglycerides and stored in the liver's cells for future "shipping." This sets the stage for steatosis, otherwise known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. When triglyceride molecules linger for too long in the liver they undergo oxidation, which triggers an inflammatory response that injures nearby cells. As inflammation worsens, the liver's capacity to perform its functions, including fatty acid metabolism, diminishes. This inflammatory state is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH. A vicious cycle ensues, and untreated NASH progresses to fibrosis, or scarring, and eventually to cirrhosis.

Treatment

One of the mainstays of treatment for fatty liver is a low-fat diet. The diets that are recommended for people with NAFLD mirror those adopted by individuals who are at risk for heart disease. While there are numerous programs designed to reduce one's risk for cardiovascular disease and, similarly, ameliorate NAFLD, adherence to a specific plan is not necessary. The American Heart Association's "heart-healthy" program is one approach that nearly anyone can follow.

Fats

While there is some controversy about how little fat most Americans are willing to accept in their daily menus, most experts feel that no more than 20 to 30 percent of your total daily calories should come from fat. The AHA recommends that less than 7 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fat, that less than 1 percent should come from trans fats and that total cholesterol intake should remain below 300mg daily. One key to limiting saturated and trans fats is to avoid eating or cooking with fats that are usually solid at room temperature.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates should account for 50 to 60 percent of your daily caloric intake. Eat at least five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables, and obtain the remainder from complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains. Additional fiber, such as ground flaxseed, can be added to meals in small increments. Fiber binds to lipids in the gut and slows or prevents their absorption.

Protein

Protein should comprise approximately 15 percent of your daily energy needs. Avoid high-fat sources of protein such as red meat and whole milk. Eat more fish, legumes, soy, egg whites or egg substitutes and skim milk.

Additional Recommendations

Even if your diet seems to be well-balanced, if you are eating more calories than you need your body will just store the excess as fat. This will perpetuate the conditions that contribute to NAFLD. Reduce your daily caloric intake to meet your energy needs and adopt an exercise program that burns at least 200 calories daily. Exercise lowers serum triglycerides, a desirable change for an overtaxed liver. If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver disease, avoid alcohol and other toxins. Consider taking betaine, a dietary supplement that raises S-adenosylmethionine levels. In at least two studies, betaine has been shown to improve liver function and/or liver biopsy tests in people with NAFLD.