What is Fatty Liver Disease?
Fatty liver disease is caused by an excess of fat in the liver. The liver is a naturally fatty organ, so there should be some fat in the liver at all times. Yet when the fat in the liver counts for more than 5% to 10% of the total weight of the liver, fatty liver disease results.
There are two types of fatty liver disease: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease is the result of overindulgence in alcoholic beverages while the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the result of non-alcoholic factors, like high cholesterol or genetics.
What causes Fatty Liver Disease?
This disease is caused by overindulgence in alcohol, fatty foods, and pre-existing genetic conditions. The disease is the result of the liver’s inability to break down fats. Thus, fats continue to build up in the liver and cannot be flushed from the body.
The alcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by drinking too much alcohol. If the liver is flooded with more alcohol than it can breakdown, fat can build up in the liver. This can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is more mysterious. Doctors don’t know the exact causes of this type of fatty liver. People who do not overindulge in fatty foods or excess carbohydrates can have a fatty liver, so scientists suspect genetics is to blame.
Who is at the risk?
This disease is more likely to affect people who are overweight or obese. Anyone can get fatty liver disease, yet the disease is most common in people who are middle age. The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is most common in people who have blood fat levels that exceed normal amounts. People who have high levels of triglycerides or high levels of bad cholesterol are also more prone to this disease. High blood pressure, diabetes, and pre-diabetes can also contribute to a greater chance of experiencing fatty liver disease. An alcoholic fatty liver disease is most common in those who overindulge in alcoholic beverages. Both types of fatty liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.
RELATED ARTICLE: How These 10 Herbs Promote Healthy Liver Function
What is going on with our liver if we have Fatty Liver Disease?
When the liver isn’t able to process fats correctly, sometimes the disease doesn’t cause any physical pain or symptoms. Sometimes the liver can become inflamed and lead to scarring or cirrhosis. Sometimes the disease can lead to liver failure because the scarring prevents the liver from properly functioning.
Physical symptoms of this disease can include pain in the upper-right abdomen – over the area of the liver. Many sufferers of the fatty liver disease also find themselves easily fatigued or tired. The diseases can also result in dramatic weight loss or weight loss that is confusing or unexpected.
Signs and Symptoms of Fatty Liver:
Unexplained Weight Gain
Allergies
Chronic Fatigue
Excessive Sweating/Body Odor
Stubborn Acne
Bad Breath
Ways to get rid of Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty liver disease can be reversed and eased with a proper diet. These two recipes are delicious and nutritious ways to reverse the effects of a fatty liver.
Foods like dandelion root, bananas, sweet potatoes, liver and ginger root can all help ease and reverse the effects of a fatty liver disease. To take advantage of sweet potatoes and liver from grass-fed cows, sauté small pieces of liver in avocado or coconut oil with sweet potatoes, onions, and dandelion root to make a hash.
Make a delicious breakfast smoothie with bananas, ginger and dandelion root to combat the effects of this disease. Chop one banana and blend with one cup of Greek yogurt, crushed ginger root, two tablespoons peanut butter and one teaspoon of dandelion root. Blend and serve immediately.
Mix and match your favorite ingredients and incorporate into your diet one-to-two times a day.
This disease can be extremely painful – not to mention deadly. Luckily, the fatty liver disease doesn’t need to result in a death sentence. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, fatty liver disease is extremely manageable and won’t lead to cirrhosis.
