Your liver is a large organ housed behind your ribs in the upper right section of your abdomen. It performs a variety of intricate functions to keep your body free of toxins that are picked up from environmental pollutants, food or beverages. Fatty liver is an early form of disease that is reversible in the early stages, and your liver is able to regenerate from damage if you take the proper steps to get healthy.
Fatty Liver Types and Causes
Fatty liver is categorized as alcoholic fatty liver or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Once you have either, the course of the disease has similar progression if you do not eliminate the contributing risk factors. Fat accumulates in the liver cells because your liver is unable to metabolize fats properly. This is caused by damage from excessive use of alcohol in those with alcoholic fatty liver. In nonalcoholic fatty liver, fat accumulates from elevated triglycerides and cholesterol, as well as conditions like obesity, mismanaged diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Once the condition is identified, treatment is focused on eliminating the contributing risk factors like alcohol, excess weight and poor dietary habits.
Stages and Progression
Fat is not normally housed in your liver, but when it does begin to gather, symptoms rarely occur. Fatigue and pain in the upper abdomen are early signs of fatty liver, but since these signs are less likely to appear, you have to remain aware of your risk factors. Fatty liver is diagnosed through a blood test to check your liver enzymes, a biopsy or computerized imaging. Simple fatty liver is the early stage when a small amount of fat is detected that is generally harmless. This is the point when making changes is important to reverse the damage. Fatty liver progresses to a more aggressive disease called steatohepatitis, inflammation of the liver that can cause scarring. Fibrosis, or scarring, is serious and leads to cirrhosis, which is severe and irreversible damage to the liver.
Treatment
Fatty liver is reversible but not by any medical intervention. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, no medical treatment exists to remove fat from your liver, but the risk factors contributing to the condition can be treated. Weight loss through changing your diet is significant to reversing the damage, as is ceasing any use of toxic substances like alcohol or drugs. A healthy diet also improves your prognosis by helping to manage your cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides. As you work to eliminate the contributing factors of fatty liver, you may have to be tested every six months to make sure the condition is not progressing.
Diet and Exercise
Eliminate saturated and trans fats from your diet. These fats are found in red meat, fried foods, butter, whole dairy and many packaged foods. Saturated and trans fat foods are high in triglycerides and cholesterol, which add fat to your liver. Replace the bad fats with lean meats like fish or chicken. Choose low-fat dairy and read labels on packaged foods to determine the amount of bad fats per serving. Make the foundation of your diet based in plant foods like fruit, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are naturally low-calorie, virtually fat free and contain antioxidants that help protect your liver from further damage. Add 30 minutes of exercise each day to help you lose excess weight. Walk, jog or join a fitness class to help you lose the pounds you need to reverse liver damage. Consult your physician before starting a diet or exercise program to ensure safety for your condition.
References
- American College of Gastroenterology; Fatty Liver Disease; Ariel E. Feldstein, M.D., et al.
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Fatty Liver; Frank W. Jackson, M.D.
- University of Illinois Medical Center: Alcoholic Liver Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- American Liver Foundation: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Mechanisms of Alcoholic and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver; March 2006
