The human body and its intricate systems are truly incredible, and the liver is no exception. Your liver is responsible for 500+ jobs — yes, you read that correctly! These include filtering our blood, combating infections, processing nutrients, and more.
Your liver also produces essential proteins your body needs, as well as bile — a digestive fluid that your gallbladder stores. It helps break down the fats from the food you eat and helps digestive enzymes do their work.
Our livers are essential to survival, but several types of liver disease can impair their function.
One such condition is fatty liver disease. Alarmingly, it strikes about 80 to 100 million Americans. In fact, 1 in 4 people are at risk for developing fatty liver disease, which causes a range of concerning symptoms.
The caring provider team at Eisenman & Eisenman Advanced Gastro Consultants diagnoses and treats fatty liver disease. Their expertise and compassion make you feel well cared for. Here, your treatment plan isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s tailored uniquely to you.
Fatty liver disease causes uncomfortable, sometimes life-limiting symptoms like:
Risk factors for fatty liver disease include being overweight or obese and having high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure, among others.
If fatty liver disease progresses, liver scarring (cirrhosis) develops, and this can increase a person’s risk for developing liver cancer.
If your Eisenman & Eisenman Advanced Gastro Consultants provider diagnoses you with fatty liver disease, they provide you with education, a customized treatment plan, and answers to all of your questions and concerns.
Your provider is your partner in managing fatty liver disease, and there are steps you can take with your diet that help you get a handle on the condition.
The Mediterranean Diet is recommended for many people, but what exactly is it?
This nutrition plan advises patients to enjoy plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins (think skinless chicken breast, eggs, and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon), and healthy fats like olive oil and those from nuts and seeds. Legumes (foods like beans and peas) and whole grains are also good to eat.
Not only does this way of eating aid weight loss, but it also helps improve fatty liver disease and includes foods that put the brakes on fat accumulating in the liver. It can also reduce the fat already in the liver, helping to reverse fatty liver disease.
If you live with fatty liver disease, aim to drink sugar-free beverages like water, coffee, and tea, and skip sugary juices and sodas. You also shouldn’t drink alcohol.
Polyphenols are plant compounds that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, both of which contribute to reducing liver fat. Good sources of polyphenols include green tea, black coffee, walnuts, red cabbage, spinach, apples, and berries.
Highly processed foods aren’t good for anyone, but they’re especially harmful for people living with fatty liver disease. These are foods like frozen meals, canned vegetables high in salt, and sugary canned fruit.
Fast food is not your friend either, so avoid drive-thrus.
Potato chips fall under both the refined carb and highly processed food categories, and other items to ban from your shopping cart include white bread and baked goods like cakes, cookies, and pies.
As we noted before, fish and skinless white-meat chicken work well for people living with fatty liver disease, while burgers, bacon, lunch meats, hot dogs, and the like aren’t good choices.
Certain studies suggest that some supplements and vitamins might ease symptoms of fatty liver disease. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, may improve liver fat, while Vitamin E could improve both liver fat and inflammation as well.
Be sure to talk with your provider before starting to take any supplements or vitamins.
Regarding the most effective treatment for fatty liver disease, we know that weight loss is a significant factor — and the dietary guidelines outlined above can help you lose weight. Combining this with more exercise is even better.
Your provider might also suggest a prescription medication, and managing any other conditions you live with is important too.
Contact our Lake Worth office at 561-753-7487 to schedule an appointment to learn about and be treated for fatty liver disease, or book one online.
