The term fatty liver indicates the presence of excess fat stored in your liver, and is linked to a wide variety of medical conditions. Most people do not experience symptoms with a fatty liver, but the condition can progress to liver scarring and cirrhosis. Although no specific treatment is available, there are steps you can take to help reverse fatty liver or avoid developing it in the first place.
The Spectrum of Fatty Liver Disease
Your liver normally contains small amounts of fat, but as many as 10 to 20 percent of people in the United States have excess fat characteristic of fatty liver disease, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Roughly one-quarter of this number of people have inflammation associated with their fatty liver, or steatohepatitis, which increases the risk of developing liver scarring and cirrhosis. Uncomplicated fatty liver disease is usually asymptomatic, other than possibly some fatigue, and is only discovered by finding mild increases in liver enzyme levels or mild liver enlargement on physical examination. The diagnosis can be made with a needle biopsy of the liver, which confirms increased fat stores and can also be used to look for the presence of inflammation or scarring.
Causes of Fatty Liver Disease
Although the exact cause of fatty liver is not completely understood, knowing the conditions associated with its development can help you recognize if you are at risk. Several medical conditions and lifestyle patterns have been linked to increased fat accumulation and storage in the liver. Diabetes, insulin resistance, other metabolic disorders, toxins and drugs such as aspirin, tetracycline and corticosteroids are commonly present with fatty liver disease, according to the Merck Manual. Excessive alcohol use, overeating, obesity and high triglyceride levels are other common elements. Fatty liver can also occasionally occur in people with none of these conditions.
Avoiding Fatty Liver Disease
There are steps you can take to reduce your likelihood of developing fatty liver disease in the first place, which are simple and sensible. Limit your use of alcohol, drugs and exposure to chemicals that have been linked to fatty liver whenever possible. Eat a healthy diet, low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables. Work to maintain your ideal body weight and exercise regularly, since obesity is a factor common to many cases of fatty liver disease.
After Fatty Liver is Diagnosed
Although no specific treatment for fatty liver is available, once you are diagnosed certain lifestyle changes could help reverse or stop further progression of the disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Avoid alcohol and take only required medications to protect your liver from further damage. If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar levels in good control. Exercise regularly, and if you are overweight try to lose one or two pounds a week until you reach a healthier body weight. Stick to a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, but low in cholesterol and saturated fats. No specific vitamin supplements or other alternative treatments have been shown to be particularly helpful for fatty liver.
