A fatty liver occurs when fat cells accumulate in your liver, a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. The Mayo Clinic explains that a fatty liver typically causes no symptoms, but it might lead to fatigue, weight loss and abdominal pain. Severe cases of fatty liver can cause liver inflammation, scarring or liver failure. Several simple lifestyle changes can help you better manage a fatty liver. Talk to your physician before changing your diet or fitness routine to treat this condition.
Lose Weight
One of the most important things you can do to manage your fatty liver disease is to lose weight. Losing the extra pounds decreases the amount of fat in your liver and improves the overall health of this vital organ. The Mayo Clinic suggests reducing the number of calories you eat each day and setting a goal of losing just one or two pounds a week until you reach a healthy weight. The Cleveland Clinic notes that bariatric surgery might be necessary if your body mass index, or BMI, measures over 40kg/m or if you have a BMI reading of 35kg/m and you suffer from other obesity-related health conditions.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet not only helps you lose weight, but it might also reverse some of the liver damage if you catch it in the early stages. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, fiber-rich foods and whole grain products. Stop eating unhealthy trans and saturated fats and start using healthy unsaturated fats like those contained in nuts, fish, seeds and olive oil. The Cleveland Clinic also recommends reducing your consumption of carbohydrates, particularly fructose. According to the "Journal of Hepatology," consuming high fructose syrup seems to lead to NAFLD. According to Drugs.com, your fatty liver disease might worsen if you don't eat enough carbohydrates, so consult your physician about the number of carbs you should eat per day.
Manage Other Health Conditions
Several other diet-related health conditions seem to contribute to fatty livers, particularly diabetes and high cholesterol. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you control your diabetes by following your doctor's instructions, taking your diabetic medications exactly as prescribed and monitoring your blood sugar levels closely. Lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by taking your prescription cholesterol medications as directed by your physician, reducing your intake of dairy products and consuming plant-based proteins, such as tofu and legumes, instead of eating fatty red meats.
Exercise
The Cleveland Clinic suggests performing moderate- to high-intensity aerobic exercises for at least 30 minutes up to five times each week. Exercising can help you lose weight, reduce your risk of diabetes and lower your high cholesterol levels, all of which can help you to manage your fatty liver disease. Incorporate more physical activity in your daily routine by climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator or walking to nearby destinations instead of driving. Talk to your doctor before starting any new fitness routine.
Protect Your Liver
The management of a fatty liver means that you must avoid putting any extra stress on your liver. Take only the medications that you absolutely need. Follow the dosing recommendations on the labels of both over-the-counter and prescription medications. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages. The Mayo Clinic also recommends reading the labels on all household chemicals and following the directions carefully.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; February 2011
- Cleveland Clinic; Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Anna Wieckowska and William D. Carey
- "Journal of Hepatology"; Fructose Consumption a Risk Factor for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; X. Ouyang, et al.; June 2008
- Drugs.com: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
