Fatty Liver Diet

Liver is one of the critical organs that performs a number of important body functions. These body functions include metabolism, detoxification, producing required chemicals for digestion and many more. Thus any injury to the liver or dysfunction of the liver causes serious health problems. As mentioned earlier fatty liver is the condition of liver where excess fats get stored in the liver cells. Liver is called fatty liver, when the percentage of fat in the liver is 10 percent of the complete weight of the liver. The liver is unable to break down the fats at the rate at which it usually does, and hence fats get accumulated. There is no severe damage due to fatty liver, but if the amount of fat accumulated increases it leads to inflammation of liver and is referred as steatohepatitis and can be a fatal condition. If left untreated, this inflamed liver gets pitted and hardens gradually and may cause liver failure, cirrhosis.

Fatty Liver Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
Fatty liver symptoms cannot be observed easily. One gets to know if he/she has a fatty liver through some medical tests. The causes of fatty liver can be excess alcohol consumption, drug consumption, obesity, health disorders like diabetes, metabolic disorder or malnutrition. Sometimes, surgeries for sudden reduction in weight, like gastric bypass surgery, can also cause fatty liver. Excess consumption of alcohol is the most common reason of fatty liver. Fatty liver caused due to non-consumption of alcohol is called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Fatty liver can be diagnosed with a routine check up and a liver biopsy.

Fatty Liver - Diet and Lifestyle Changes
There is no particular cure for fatty liver, but a diet for fatty liver and weight loss can help reduce the damage caused to the liver. A person who is obese and is having fatty liver should reduce his/her weight very slowly. The diet to reduce fatty liver problem depends on the cause. Let us take a look at different diet tips for fatty liver.

Controlling Diabetes
Person suffering from diabetes should follow the diet that will help to control diabetes, i.e. a diabetic diet. It is a bit difficult for diabetic patients to reduce fatty liver. They should consume food that has low sugar level and maintain a proper level of insulin in the body. When the blood sugar level reduces, it leads to less accumulation of fats in the liver. It is recommended that diabetic patients having fatty liver should consult a physician and a dietitian before making any change in the diet.

Stop Drinking Alcohol
If alcohol is the reason for fatty liver, one should stop drinking alcohol at once. Alcohol is made up of very high calories and should be forbidden forever. Alcohol drinking leads to dysfunction of liver, and hence liver cannot metabolize other nutrients properly leading to fat accumulation. Start replacing alcohol with other beverages.

Reduce Weight
One should start reducing the weight gradually, if obesity is the reason for fatty lever. But, the loss in the weight should not be too fast. The weight loss should be not more than one or two pounds a week. The weight loss should be accompanied with exercises. Avoid foods that contain too many fat contents. Keep a check on the daily consumption of calories. A safe weight loss with the help of diet and exercise can help reduce fatty liver.

Fatty Liver Foods
Even people who are not obese, do not drink alcohol can suffer from fatty liver. A balanced diet is necessary at such times. The diet should contain fresh vegetables; either cooked or raw. Foods high in fiber such as dried beans and brown rice should be included in the diet. Chicken, fish and turkey are some choices for the non-vegetarians who endure a fatty liver condition. A majority of seafood contains low-fat in them, so one should try different types of seafood that are low in fat. Protein intake in an appropriate amount is very essential for the condition to improve. Make sure that the amount of protein you consume is not in excess as it becomes difficult for the liver to breakdown excess protein. It would be advisable for you to consult the practitioner with regards to restricting your dietary protein intake. Vitamins, especially vitamins A and D should be controlled. Vitamin A in excess could prove harmful to the liver. The liver is put through a stressful condition whilst processing excess amounts of Vitamin A and D. Garner expert advice to monitor the daily intake of vitamins. Nail in mind that red meat, pork, processed foods, potato wafers, french fries and the likes should be completely avoided.

Thus, reduction in weight, reduced alcohol consumption, a healthy diet to control the condition and exercise are the main fatty liver cures. Alcohol consumption is one of the leading reasons for fatty liver in United States. Maximum cases of fatty liver are observed in adults above 30 years of age. However, in the recent past, fatty liver cases have also been noticed in children. A person suffering from this problem, should consult a physician at the earliest to know more on the fatty liver diet.