Fatty Liver Disease: Symptoms, Causes and Prevention

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is also called steatotic liver disease (SLD). It is a disease caused by too much fat building up in the liver. A healthy liver should contain little fat. When fat accounts for over 5% of the liver\'s weight, it becomes a problem. People feel no discomfort in the early stages of fatty liver disease, but it can lead to serious liver damage if left untreated. Here are several facts about fatty liver disease.

Types

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): It is also named metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This condition isn't associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Obesity and excess fat intake may be the main culprits of NAFLD, but there are also other potential risk factors that contribute to the condition.
• Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD): It is in the large family of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). As the name suggests, it occurs because of excessive alcohol consumption. The liver processes alcohol and filters waste products created in this process. This function makes the liver vulnerable to alcohol damage. Too much alcohol consumption will increase the liver's burden of self-repairing and cause liver damage.

Symptoms

People with early-stage fatty liver disease usually won't discover any visual symptoms. The disease will remain undiscovered unless it's diagnosed during medical tests or develops into advanced stages, such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, go to see the doctor and have a thorough medical examination immediately.

• Abdominal pain: Patients will feel a dull pain in the upper right side of the abdomen. The liver itself cannot sense pain because it contains few relative nerves. When the liver becomes inflamed or affected by liver disease, the protective tissue of the liver, Glisson's capsule, will signal to the brain that something is wrong with your liver.



• Weight loss: When fat builds up in the liver, it will cause inflammation and decrease the liver's function, making the liver produce less bile which helps digest food. It will disrupt the patient's digestive system, and the patient will suffer from a disinterest in food and weight loss. It's one of the early symptoms of liver damage.



• Fatigue and malaise: With fatty liver disease, the presence of excess fat in the liver can lead to inflammation, which can cause the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The inflammation also causes decreased liver function, restricting the liver's production of energy. Both may contribute to the feeling of fatigue and general malaise.



• Jaundice: Jaundice happens because the damaged liver cells cannot process bilirubin. It is caused by the build-up of a bile pigment called bilirubin in the blood. When the liver is damaged, waste in the human body cannot be removed efficiently, and bilirubin will build up in the bloodstream and result in many visual symptoms like yellow skin and eyes, dark-colored urine and light-colored stools.



• Pruritus: Itchy skin is also a sign of liver damage caused by fatty liver disease. The exact cause of itching in fatty liver disease is complicated. Problems with the liver can cause toxin buildup, which irritates the nerves and leads to itchy skin. The itching can be mild or severe and may occur in different areas.



• Bruising: People with fatty liver disease tend to bruise more easily. Because the liver can produce clotting factors that help stop bleeding. A damaged liver cannot produce enough clotting factors required to heal a bruise. This can result in increased bruising and bleeding, even from minor injuries.



• Abdominal swelling: The liver produces various substances, including enzymes and clotting factors. Therefore, liver malfunction caused by fatty liver disease can lead to an imbalance of protein and other compounds, which will make the fluid build up in the tissue, resulting in a swollen abdomen. This condition is called ascites.

Risk Factors

• Being obese or overweight: Obesity is the main culprit of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This is because extra fat will build up in your liver, leading to more inflammation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease improves the risk of developing serious chronic liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis, which can lead to liver failure and cancer. Losing weight can help slow or reverse the development of NAFLD.



• Type-2 diabetes: According to relative research, up to two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes have NAFLD, and eighty percent of people with diabetes have fat in the liver. Research indicates that NAFLD may contribute to type 2 diabetes because the liver plays an important role in regulating blood glucose. The fat buildup in the liver will reduce its ability to control blood glucose levels. If you have type-2 diabetes, you should pay more attention to your liver.



• Alcohol use disorder: Alcohol abuse is the cause of alcoholic fatty liver disease. When the liver breaks down the alcohol one consumes, a toxic compound called acetaldehyde is generated. It can damage liver cells and lead to inflammation, liver disease, and cancer. Alcohol will increase the liver's burden and lead to serious liver disease, including alcoholic fatty liver and chronic hepatitis.



• Metabolic Syndrome: Having metabolic syndrome will increase the risk of developing fatty liver disease. Metabolic syndrome refers to a group of metabolic disorders involving high BMI (body mass index), high blood lipid levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Insulin resistance is the main driver of metabolic syndrome. Besides fatty liver disease, it will also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and stroke.

Prevention

• Lose weight: Losing weight by 7 to 10% is the most effective way of improving fatty liver disease conditions. For people without liver problems, keeping a healthy weight can help prevent potential risks. Develop the habit of exercise. Change your diet and eat less food rich in fat and sugar.



• Quit alcohol: Abstaining from drinking alcohol can help stop the development of alcoholic fatty liver disease and even potentially reverse it. If you have alcoholic fatty liver disease, the damage it causes may be reversed if you manage to give up drinking for a period of time. This process may last for a long time, months or years.



• Regular check-ups: In the early stages of fatty liver disease, people usually won't find any visual symptoms unless they have a medical test. Diagnosing fatty liver disease in time can help doctors make targeted therapy and prevent it from developing into advanced stages. Go to the hospital and have medical examinations regularly.

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Food List for Type 2 Diabetes: White and Black List

Food choice is crucial to type 2 diabetes. This disease is highly correlated to obesity and high cholesterol levels, which may induce complex chain reactions in the human body and cause insulin resistance or a low insulin secretion level. Therefore, people with type 2 diabetes should control their diet and eat healthily. Here are some best and worst foods for type 2 diabetes.

1. White List - Whole grains

Whole grains, a typical low GI food, can prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. Because it is rich in fiber which comes from the bran, germ and endosperm of grain, which slower the digestion process and the rate of glucose release. The fiber in whole grains also helps improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance. Additionally, whole grains are rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, contributing to overall health for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

2. White List - Fruit and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables generally have a low GI and high levels of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation, protect specific organs and improve insulin sensitivity, making them important for overall diabetic health management. Remember to choose fruit with less sugar and only eat a small portion each time instead of a whole fruit. Blueberries, citrus fruits, kiwis, leafy greens, broccoli, carrots and tomatoes are healthy choices for diabetics.

3. White List - Good Protein

Lean meat, fish, eggs and beans are good sources of proteins, which provide important ingredients for the body to build up muscles and make enzymes. White meat and fish, especially deep-sea fish with high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, are healthier than other meats. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fat which have been shown to provide various health benefits. These fats help improve insulin sensitivity, control insulin resistance, promote cardiovascular diseases and reduce the risks of cognitive decline.

4. White List - Good Fat

Most oils people eat like butter and palm oil are high in saturated fat, which is harmful because it raises cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Therefore, it is recommended to take olive oil and coconut oil as alternatives. Avocados, nuts, seeds and fatty fish are all good supplementary sources of unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat can help increase satiety, promote heart health and stabilize blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity.

1. Black List - Highly Processed Starches

Highly processed starches, such as white bread, white rice and pasta, have high GI. They are quickly broken down into glucose by the body. This can lead to a rapid spike in blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular consumption of processed starches may contribute to insulin resistance over time for diabetics. Besides, these foods are often stripped of essential nutrients during processing, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies.

2. Black List - Canned and Pickled Food

The high sodium content in canned and pickled food can increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, of which diabetics are already at a higher risk. Some may contain added sugars or sweeteners to balance the acidity of the canning or pickling process. These added sugars can cause blood sugar spikes. These foods also have fewer vitamins and other nutrients compared with fresh foods.

3. Black List - Fried Food

Fried food like crisps, french fries, chicken nuggets and cheese sticks are often cooked in oils that are high in unhealthy trans fats and saturated fats. They are typically high in carbohydrates due to breading or batter, which can cause blood sugar levels to surge. Due to high fat and carbohydrate content, they are usually high in calories and disrupt the weight loss plan of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

4. Black List - Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Most oils people eat like butter and palm oil are high in saturated fat, which is harmful because it raises cholesterol levels in the blood, leading to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Therefore, it is recommended to take olive oil and coconut oil as alternatives. Avocados, nuts, seeds and fatty fish are all good supplementary sources of unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fat can help increase satiety, promote heart health and stabilize blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity.

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What Foods Should Diabetics Avoid?

Controlling their diet is of great significance for diabetics. Multiple factors, including blood glucose level, blood pressure, cholesterol level, weight and body fat rate may worsen diabetes by inducing complex chain reactions in the human body. Diabetics should choose appropriate, healthy food and avoid certain irritants. Here are some risky foods for diabetics that should be avoided.

Refined Carbohydrates

IWhite bread, white rice, pasta, sugary cereals and baked goods made with white flour are all refined carbohydrates. Without the barrier of bran, they are quickly broken down into glucose during digestion. This leads to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, resulting in insulin resistance and weight gain. Compared with whole grains, most of the nutrients in refined carbs are removed during the manufacturing process. This will cause a deficiency in essential nutrients.

Unhealthy Meat

Meat is a good source of protein. But it also contains a lot of fat. Red Meat tends to have a higher level of saturated fats and cholesterol. They are closely linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Meat with skin is also high in unhealthy fat. Therefore, replacing fatty meat in a diabetes diet with white meat like poultry and fish is recommended. A moderate amount of lean red meat can still be included.

Processed meat, including bacon, sausage, hot dogs and lunch meat are often high in sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure. Its high saturated fat content can raise the levels of bad cholesterol in the human body. Both substances will increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart disease and stroke. For diabetics, this risk can be fatal. People with diabetes should have more fresh meats in their diet.

High Sodium Foods

Most canned food, pickled food, salty snacks, fast food and premade food are high in sodium. High sodium intake can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Hypertension can further increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications associated with diabetes. Besides, diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease. Excess sodium intake will put additional strain on the kidneys and cause an imbalance in electrolytes, increasing the risk of kidney damage.

Fried Foods

Fried food like crisps, fish and chips, french fries, chicken nuggets and onion rings are often rich in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates, because they are cooked in oils covered by breading or batter. Due to high fat and carbohydrate content, they are usually high in calories, causing blood sugar spikes, increased cardiovascular risks and weight gain. The process of frying will generate harmful compounds linked with inflammation and oxidation. They may worsen some diabetes complications.

Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Ice creams, candies, chocolate, soda, juice and sports drinks contain excessive free sugar. Free sugar is sugars added to foods or drinks and sugars in honey, syrup and sweet juices. Scientists recommend that free sugar should not make up more than 5% of the calories you get from food and drink each day, because it can be absorbed very fast and cause blood glucose spikes. These sugary foods provide little nutrients except calories, leading to weight gain easily.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can be dangerous for those who take insulin because alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Alcohol itself is high in calories, so excess alcohol intake will contribute to weight gain. What's the most important is that alcohol consumption will increase the risk of various complications, including liver damage, heart disease and kidney damage.