Nonalcoholic fatty liver is a liver disorder affecting millions, without any alcohol abuse, even affecting children.
More than 50 percent of the children are diagnosed with fatty liver. The reasons include changes in living habits – inactive lifestyle, poor dietary choices, reliance on ultra-processed food, and excess sugars.
NAFLD?
When an excessive amount of fat deposits in the liver, without alcohol-induced fat deposition. It occurs in people who do not consume alcohol or take minimal alcohol. The underlying reasons include obesity, excessive weight, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
Types of NAFLD
- • Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver – It is less severe, and the fat deposition has not caused inflammation or damage to the liver. It is just the start when fat accumulates in the liver.
- • Metabolic Steatohepatitis or NASH – When fat accumulates in the liver, it causes inflammation and starts damaging the hepatic cells causing scarring, fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver?
It is a condition when excess fat accumulates in the liver due to overconsumption of alcohol.
Symptoms of NAFLD
NAFLD shows no symptoms at the early stages, however, it is detected through mildly elevated liver enzymes.
Early Symptoms –
- • Weakness
- • Not well
Symptoms of Disease Progression –
- • Itchy skin
- • Yellowing of skin, urine, and jaundice
- • Swelling of the legs and stomach
- • Increased size of the spleen
- • Spider-like blood vessels are visible over the skin
- • Red palms
How NAFLD Progresses to Liver Cancer?
- • NAFLD progresses to steatohepatitis (NASH).
- • The cells are inflamed.
- • The cells start to be damaged.
NASH to Liver Fibrosis
The inflammation causes fibrosis, scarring of the liver tissue, replacing healthy cells.
In the process of repairing itself liver produces excess collagen, causing more inflammation and an enlarged scar.
It is a reversible condition.
From Fibrosis to Cirrhosis
The scar grows in size, replacing the healthy liver tissues and cells.
The liver tissue becomes stiff, losing its functionality.
Cirrhosis is an irreversible condition.
Carcinoma of the Hepatic Cells
Persistent inflammation causes DNA damage, leading to genetic mutations and malignant transformations, causing cancer.
The factors that risk NAFLD Progression
- • Insulin Resistance – The imbalance in glucose metabolism, the liver producing excess glucose and also starts storing more fat, causing fatty liver.
- • Excessive weight/obesity – Excessive fat travels to the liver, causing fat buildup and steatosis.
- • High Cholesterol levels – High bad cholesterol and lipids promote fat storage in the liver, and also cause oxidative stress.
- • Hyperglycemia – The higher unmetabolised sugar gets converted to fat and is stored in the liver, causing inflammation and scarring.
Is NAFLD Reversible?
The liver is a regenerating organ, and it regenerates after a short-term disease, but prolonged disease leads to chronic issues. NAFLD is reversible at the initial stages and is highly curable.
Treatment for NAFLD
- • Maintaining a Healthy Weight – Even a 3 to 5 percent weight reduction results in a 20-30 percent of liver fat.
- • Healthy Diet – Limit the intake of high-fat foods, eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
- • Restrict Sugar Consumption – Sugars directly convert to fat, limit sugar intake.
- • Exercise – Exercise reduces weight, reduces fat, maintains sugars, and boosts metabolism.
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