Fatty lover disease can be classified into two major types – alcohol induced, and non-alcohol induced fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease is one of the leading contributors of liver failure in the United States and it affects nearly one-third of American adults. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is most commonly diagnosed in individuals who eat a highly processed diet, inactive individuals and obese individuals. However, regardless of the type, one of the main ways fatty liver disease can be treated is with an alteration in diet.
What is fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease, as the name suggests basically means that there is too much fat in your liver. The function of a liver in a healthy body is to produce the digestive protein, bile and help in the removal of toxins. Fatty liver disease prevents the liver from functioning as it should. Moreover, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease also means that there is a fat buildup in your liver. However, in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, there is no damage to the liver, unlike in other types of fatty liver disease; and fortunately, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is reversible. In this article we have listed down the steps that need to be taken to reverse a fatty liver.
Weight loss
Losing weight, as suggested by research is the single best thing to do to reverse a fatty liver. It is recommended to lose 10 percent of your total body weight to improve the health of your liver and consequently, reverse a fatty liver. Speak with your doctor to find out about the best way to lose weight effectively and safely for you.
Weight loss options can include:
- Medication for weight loss
- Weight loss surgery
- Exercise
Treat any other pre-existing health problems
Fatty liver disease is often linked to several other health problems for instance, hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea, high triglycerides high cholesterol and diabetes, therefore, treating these issues can help you reverse a fatty liver.
Change your diet
If you want to lose weight, then making changes in your diet may help you. They can lower the amount of fat in your liver and improve your general health.
Lessen your intake of carbohydrates
A leading cause of fatty liver is a poor diet and the biggest offender of a poor diet are foods made out of white flour and sugar; these two foods need to be avoided at all costs. The liver is responsible for converting excess carbohydrate in the body into fat, therefore, if your diet includes foods which are high in carbohydrates then it can generally promote a fatty liver. To reverse a fatty liver, avoid foods made out of flour, potatoes, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta and bread.
Avoid alcohol
The second biggest cause of fatty liver is an excess consumption of alcohol. Alcohol consumption results in fatty infiltration as it causes damage to liver cells and inflammation. If you already have a fatty liver disease, then, to reverse a fatty liver you need to limit your consumption of alcohol to one drink per day and have at least two days free of alcohol every week.
Eat more protein and vegetables
Liver healing foods include fruits and raw vegetables. Similarly, the raw foods help repair and cleanse the liver; it traps fat and toxins and removes it from the bloodstream. Add raw salads and cooked vegetables to your diet, moreover, if you have insulin resistance and high blood pressure then limit your fruit serving to 2 fruits in a day. Likewise, protein helps keep sugar levels in the blood stable, reduces hunger and cravings and helps with reduction in weight. Dairy products, legumes, whey protein powder, seeds, nuts, meat, seafood, poultry and eggs are good sources of protein; and it should be consumed with each meal. However, vegetable oils worsen a fatty liver, therefore, replace vegetable oil with coconut and olive oil.
Raw vegetable juices
Raw vegetable juices help to reverse a fatty liver; these juices are highly concentrated in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. However, you need to make sure that the juice is 80 to 100 percent vegetables and barely any fruit juice because fruit juices are very high in calories and carbohydrates.
Liver tonic
A good liver tonic can help reverse a fatty liver with its clinically proven dose of sulfur rich amino acids, antioxidants, B vitamins and St Mary’s thistle. It facilitates the process of fat burning, repairs damaged liver cells and improves the detoxification abilities of the liver.