Fatty liver is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver. Depending on the type, fatty liver can lead to liver damage and have fatal consequences. However, there are simple ways to prevent fatty liver.
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Causes of Fatty Liver
Before discussing ways to prevent fatty liver, it is important to understand its causes. Knowing what causes fatty liver will help you avoid risk factors and prevent this condition.
Based on its causes, there are two types of fatty liver:
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Fatty liver that occurs due to factors other than alcohol consumption.
- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Fatty liver caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
The liver is responsible for digesting alcohol. The more alcohol you consume, the more substances your liver has to process.
Each time the liver metabolizes alcohol, some liver cells get damaged. While these cells can regenerate over time, excessive alcohol consumption prevents proper regeneration, leading to continuous liver damage.
Besides alcohol, fatty liver can also result from metabolic disorders (and in some cases, genetic factors). Obesity, being overweight, high cholesterol levels in the blood, and insulin resistance are some of the metabolic-related causes of fatty liver.
Ways to Prevent Fatty Liver
The best way to prevent fatty liver is to avoid its causes. Here are some ways to prevent fatty liver:
1. Limit Alcohol Consumption
To prevent fatty liver, the best approach is to reduce or, even better, completely stop alcohol consumption.
Since alcohol is processed in the liver, excessive intake increases the risk of fatty liver formation.
2. Lose Weight
Being overweight increases the risk of fatty liver. Therefore, losing weight can help prevent fat accumulation in the liver.
3. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise offers many benefits, including maintaining blood sugar levels, preventing obesity, and keeping cholesterol levels normal. All these factors significantly influence fatty liver risk.
Thus, exercising regularly is an effective way to prevent fatty liver. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily or 150 minutes per week.
4. Avoid High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Foods
One of the main causes of fatty liver is consuming high-fat and high-cholesterol foods. Excess cholesterol in the blood can accumulate in the liver, leading to fatty liver.
5. Reduce Sugary Foods and Beverages
Another way to prevent fatty liver is by limiting the intake of sugary foods and drinks. High sugar intake can increase blood sugar levels, cause insulin resistance, and lead to liver inflammation, which contributes to fatty liver.
Can Fatty Liver Be Cured?
In its early stages, fatty liver is reversible. Adopting a healthier lifestyle can help eliminate fat accumulation in the liver. However, if left untreated, fatty liver can progress to liver disease (cirrhosis), which may lead to liver cancer or liver failure.
If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to prevent fatty liver from worsening, doctors may prescribe medication. Be sure to take the prescribed medication regularly as directed by your doctor.
You can consult a liver specialist, specifically a gastroenterology and hepatology consultant, who specializes in liver and digestive health. Visit Mandaya Liver Center at Mandaya Royal Hospital Group to meet the best hepatologists. Contact us via WhatsApp Chat, Book Appointment, or download the Care Dokter app on Google Play and App Store to schedule a consultation.
