Do you know if you have fatty liver?

Hepatic steatosis, known as fatty liver, is a silent disease that affects a significant part of the world's population. It is estimated that between 10 and 30% of people suffer from it, and its prevalence is increasing due to current lifestyle habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. Although it is more common after the age of 40 and in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes (where it can reach up to 90% of cases), it is also growing among young people due to overweight.

Additionally, in 10% of cases, genetics could be the cause. It often goes unnoticed in its initial stages, making it difficult to detect. Should you be worried about this disease and how to identify it? We'll see it right away.

• What does fatty liver mean?
• Types of fatty liver
• Causes of fatty liver
• Degrees of severity
• Consequences of the disease
• Treatment and prevention
• Recommended supplements

What does fatty liver mean?

Hepatic steatosis, known as fatty liver, is a silent disease that affects a significant part of the world's population. It is estimated that between 10 and 30% of people suffer from it, and its prevalence is increasing due to current lifestyle habits, such as a sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet. Although it is more common after the age of 40 and in patients with obesity or type 2 diabetes (where it can reach up to 90% of cases), it is also growing among young people due to overweight. Additionally, in 10% of cases, genetics could be the cause. It often goes unnoticed in its initial stages, making it difficult to detect. Should you be worried about this disease and how to identify it? We'll see it right away.

Types of fatty liver

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver:
  Interestingly, this is the most common form, and its origin has nothing to do with alcohol. The main cause? Our lifestyle. Factors such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension combine to trigger this problem. The most disturbing thing is that its incidence does not stop growing, driven by diets rich in ultra-processed foods and lack of physical activity. It is as if our daily lives were designed so that this type of fatty liver finds fertile ground.
• 
  Alcoholic fatty liver:
  In this case, the protagonist is excessive alcohol consumption. By abusing this substance, liver cells are not only damaged, but also begin to accumulate fat, which progressively deteriorates their function. Although alcohol has been a known enemy of the liver for centuries, what is interesting is how even moderate amounts, in already predisposed people, can have significant effects.

Both types share a key point: at first they do not usually present clear symptoms. Therefore, learning more about them can make a difference in your long-term health.

Causes of fatty liver

Degrees of severity

They vary depending on the amount of fat that accumulates in the liver cells and the level of liver damage, but they generally fall into three categories:

• Mild Fatty Liver (Grade 1): at this point there is fat accumulation in less than 30% of the liver cells. There are no obvious symptoms as it is an early stage of the disease. If detected in time (through an ultrasound or a test that shows mild alterations in liver enzymes), the disease is usually reversible by making lifestyle changes.
• Moderate Fatty Liver (Grade 2): the amount of fat in the liver is more significant, affecting 30-60% of liver cells. Although some patients may experience symptoms such as tiredness, mild pain in the abdomen or general malaise, most usually do not notice anything.  If appropriate tests are performed, elevated levels of liver enzymes and fat present in the liver can be observed. Progression to more severe stages can be prevented through control measures.
• Severe Fatty Liver (Grade 3): the liver presents a significant accumulation of fat, greater than 60%, inflammation and cellular damage. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in some cases, jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes). Liver function tests will show elevated levels of transaminases and indicators of severe liver damage.

Consequences of the disease

Hepatic steatosis, if left untreated, can trigger serious problems, such as fibrosis and cirrhosis, which severely compromise liver function. In addition, it can cause fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), circulatory problems such as portal hypertension, and more systemic effects, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. Symptoms such as persistent fatigue and nutritional deficiencies may even appear, as the liver loses its ability to process essential nutrients. In advanced cases, liver damage can affect other organs, such as the kidneys or brain, further complicating general health.

Treatment and prevention

How to improve fatty liver, then? The key to combating this health problem is to identify it in time and make changes in lifestyle, since in the early stages fatty liver can be reversed with weight loss, healthy eating (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats, as well as low in saturated fats, alcohol, sugars and refined carbohydrates), physical exercise practiced regularly and by controlling underlying diseases (such as dyslipidemia).

Losing weight very progressively is one of the most effective ways to treat hepatic steatosis, as it significantly reduces the amount of fat accumulated in the liver and improves its function. To do this, it is necessary to follow a balanced diet in the long term that involves a moderate caloric deficit (it may include infusions for fatty liver, like this one) and start doing physical activity to combat insulin resistance and reduce visceral fat. In addition, also keep in mind that chronic stress can negatively affect the metabolism and promote the accumulation of abdominal fat, so it is another very important point that you should not ignore.

In more advanced cases, pharmacological treatments are required to control inflammation and treat associated complications. It is essential to consult with a specialist doctor for a proper evaluation and receive the appropriate treatment.

Recommended supplements

Now that you know what the diet for fatty liver should be like, try to follow the recommendations and help yourself with certain food supplements that can be beneficial in these cases:

Soy Lecithin: lecithin is a phospholipid capable of emulsifying fats, promoting their digestion, processing in the liver and reducing their deposits in the body's tissues. It is available in pearl or granulated form, depending on the consumer's taste.

Cod Liver Oil: supplement extracted from fish, which provides vitamins A, D, E and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). The known benefit between the consumption of omega and fatty liver is based on the fact that this type of fat improves lipid metabolism, helps reduce fat accumulation in the liver and balances cholesterol levels in the blood. One pearl with each main meal is enough to begin to see improvement.

 What are you waiting for?

Written for: Gisela Fernandez
Dietitian-Nutritionist and Food Technologist of the Ana María Lajusticia®

Translated for Ana Maria Lajusticia USA