All You Need to Know About Fatty Liver Disease

What is fatty liver disease?

Fatty liver develops when 5-10% of the liver becomes fat, which is usually caused by unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity. Over time, fat build-up can lead to inflammation and eventually, scarring.

Types & Stages of Fatty Liver Disease

There are two types of fatty liver disease:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease (also called alcohol-related liver disease or ARLD)

Fatty liver disease can progress through the following four stages:

1. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): There is a build-up of excess fat in the liver.
2. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): In addition to excess fat, there is inflammation in the liver.
3. Fibrosis: The inflammation in the liver has already caused scarring.
4. Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver has become widespread and can cause liver failure. It may be irreversible.

If left untreated, a fatty liver can lead to severe liver damage, increasing your risk of liver cancer and even liver failure. To help stop a fatty liver from progressing and producing complications, follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.

Causes of Fatty Liver Disease

Liver experts are still unsure about what causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but it is most likely associated with being overweight, unhealthy eating, poor lifestyle habits, and medical conditions such as insulin resistance and diabetes. It is estimated that 30–90% of obese adults have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and it is increasing in children due to the childhood obesity epidemic.

Leading a liver-healthy lifestyle can vastly decrease your chances of developing fatty liver disease. Take Amsety’s Liver Health Score to see how your lifestyle habits are currently affecting your liver health and what changes and improvements are yet to be made.

Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease is oftentimes a silent condition, meaning that there can be little to no symptoms. This is why it is critical that you visit your doctor regularly. Most fatty liver patients find out about their condition only through a blood test showing elevated liver enzyme levels.

Common symptoms of fatty liver disease include:

• weakness
• nausea
• jaundice
• itching
• swelling
• mental confusion
• unexplained weight-loss
• abdominal pain
• extreme exhaustion or fatigue

Prevention of Fatty Liver Disease

In many cases, a liver-healthy lifestyle and diet may prevent or even stop the progression of fatty liver disease. Abstaining from alcohol is critical. And so is following a nutrient rich, balanced diet which is low in salt, gluten, sugar, and fat at the same time. Do not forget to also schedule time for regular exercise each week.

Can Fatty Liver Disease Be Reversed?

Fatty liver disease can be reversed, although reversal can be difficult for many. Cardinal lifestyle and nutrition changes are required to improve the health of your liver. If these lifestyle changes are not successfully met, your fatty liver disease may continue to progress.

These lifestyle changes include:

• Losing weight
• Implementing a regular workout routine
• Practicing liver-healthy eating

Please consult your doctor to develop a treatment plan.

Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease can be diagnosed through a(n):

• Liver biopsy
• Liver function test
• Ultrasound scan
• CT scan or MRI
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)

The Importance of a Liver-Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is the best way to combat the threat of liver disease. By cutting fat, sugar, and salt from your diet, you can strengthen your liver´s natural regeneration process. The liver experts at Amsety understand the importance of a healthy diet. This is why we have made it our goal to help you improve your diet and lifestyle habits and thus have a liver-healthier life. Start your journey towards liver health today by trying one of our delicious, liver-healthy recipes. And, don’t forget to take the Liver Health Score regularly! Checking your Liver Health Score will help you identify the habits that are keeping you from meeting your liver-health goals.

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Support Your Liver Health with Amsety Bars

If you are struggling with liver disease or just have the desire to support your liver health — try the Amsety Bar! The Amsety Bar is a liver-healthy meal that fits right in your pocket. Amsety Bars were developed by U.S. leading liver health experts to support the liver and meet the requirements of a liver-healthy diet. Amsety Bars contain the essential nutrients you need to support your liver, along with the rest of your body! 98% of liver health experts would recommend Amsety Bars for liver health. You can buy Amsety Bars here.

*Source: Amsety´s Survey at the Liver Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease in Boston, 2019