Diet for fatty liver
Before we discuss the best diet for fatty liver, let us define the condition itself. What is fatty liver?
As the name indicates, fatty liver is the accommodation of an excess fat in the liver; under normal circumstances the liver always contains certain, normal percentage of fat, but when this percentage grows to unhealthy proportions, it causes fatty liver. Even though it can be found in younger patients, fatty liver usually affects people older than 30 years of age, who are almost always overweight, especially if they have large amount of abdominal fat. Obesity isn’t the only cause though – fatty liver can be caused by diabetes, metabolic disorder, alcohol abuse and often occurs during pregnancy as well.
However, the majority of the cases are due to bad nutrition, which is why adopting well-balanced diet for fatty liver is crucial for treating this condition. Normally we wouldn’t be too concerned by the accumulation of fat in one or other of our internal organs, but if left untreated, fatty liver can lead to complications – if the liver gets inflamed, it can later become scarred and hardened and if the person with fatty liver condition consumes large quantities of alcohol, this can even lead to liver cirrhosis.
What is the best diet for fatty liver and how quickly does it work?
Probably the most important factor to consider, when deciding on the appropriate diet for fatty liver is the fact that rapid change in your weight can cause more damage than good - clinical studies suggest that the weight loss of 5% to 10% in the course of six months is optimal. However, losing even minimal weight requires quite a bit of effort – one of the fatty liver symptoms is the inability to lose weight easily. This is why even the best diet for fatty liver should be combined with regular exercise – if you spend anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half walking, swimming, or cycling five days per week, this will increase your chances of reversing the condition.
There are certain foods that should be avoided and there are others that are essential for any diet for fatty liver; white bread, white rice, sugary teats and meat, rich on fat, should be avoided. On the other hand, low-calorie, high-fiber, and low on saturated fat foods are ideal.
Another very important point to remember is that the diet for fatty liver isn’t the ultimate cure – you should always consult with a licensed medical professional and let him or her advise you on the best course of action. He or she will most certainly recommend losing weight, but depending on the cause of fatty liver, you might have to address the underlying cause, which might be diabetes or excessive intake of alcohol.
A good diet for fatty liver should help you reverse the condition, as long as it is followed strictly for a longer period of time and is combined with exercise and a medical treatment, if one is necessary.
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