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Because the liver is one of the most important organs, it is essential for excellent overall health. It performs various tasks, including converting food into energy, producing proteins for the body, and removing harmful toxins and bacteria. Many people have a fatty liver, which occurs when "extra fat accumulates in the liver either due to heavy alcohol consumption or foods we eat," according to Dr. Mya Bellinger, an internal medicine specialist. While the fatty liver disease is a common condition that may not cause health problems for most people, it can cause liver damage in others if left untreated.
1. What are the Forms of Fatty Liver Disease?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Fatty liver disease is divided into two types:
a. Alcoholic liver disease
The accumulation of fat in the liver due to massive drinking is known as the alcoholic fatty liver. (One drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for males is considered moderate drinking.) Around 5% of persons in the United States suffer from this type of liver disease.
b. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects persons who do not drink heavily. In the United States, one in three adults and one in 10 children have the disease. The specific cause of the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has yet to be discovered. Obesity and diabetes are two conditions that can raise your risk."
2. Four Stages of Fatty Liver
Fatty liver disease has four stages, according to Healthline.
- "Simple fatty liver. There's a buildup of excess fat in the liver. Simple fatty liver is largely harmless if it doesn't progress.
- Steatohepatitis. In addition to excess fat, there's also inflammation in the liver.
- Fibrosis. Persistent inflammation in the liver has now caused scarring. However, the liver can still generally function normally.
- Cirrhosis. Scarring of the liver has become widespread, impairing the liver's ability to function. This is the most severe stage and is irreversible."
3. Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
According to WebMD, "There are usually no symptoms of ALD or NAFLD. Tiredness or pain in the upper right side of the body, where the liver is located, maybe signed for certain people.
If you have NASH or cirrhosis, you may experience symptoms like:
- Swollen belly
- Enlarged blood vessels underneath your skin
- Larger-than-normal breasts in men
- Red palms
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish due to a condition called jaundice."
4. Causes and Risk Factors
WebMD reports that "Overconsumption of alcohol is the root of ALD. If you consume a lot of alcohol and smoke, you're even more likely to get it.
- Are obese
- Are malnourished
- Have chronic viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis C
- Have genes that make you more likely to get it
- Are an African-American or Hispanic male
- Age — the older you are, the more likely it becomes.
It is unclear why some persons with NAFLD develop basic fatty liver while others develop NASH. Genes could be to blame. If you have NAFLD or NASH, it's more likely that you have:
- You're obese or overweight.
- Your body doesn't respond to insulin as it should (called insulin resistance) or if you have type 2 diabetes.
- You have high levels of triglycerides or "bad" (LDL) cholesterol or low levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol.
- You're older
- You have polycystic ovary syndrome.
- You have sleep apnea.
- You have an underactive thyroid (the doctor will call this hypothyroidism)
- You have an underactive pituitary gland (you'll hear this called hypopituitarism)
- You're malnourished
- You've lost weight rapidly.
- You've been exposed to certain toxins and chemicals.
- You have metabolic syndrome. This mix of conditions makes you more likely to get type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With metabolic syndrome, you may have any three of these conditions:
- Large waist size
- High triglycerides or LDL cholesterol
- Low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
There are also some less common reasons you may get NAFLD or NASH. They include:
- Medical conditions that affect how your body uses or stores fat
- Hepatitis C or other infections
- Fast weight loss
- Taking certain medicines such as glucocorticoids, methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), a synthetic estrogen, tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox), and others
- Gallbladder removal. Some people who have surgery to remove their gallbladder are more likely to have NAFLD."
5. Ways to Reverse a Fatty Liver
The good news is that fatty liver disease can be cured before becoming too serious. According to Dr. Bellinger, "Avoid foods that include added sugars, as these sugars might build fat to accumulate in the liver over time. Soft beverages, cakes, flavored yogurts, and sugary cereals are examples of these foods." In addition, Dr. Bellinger says, "Try taking an omega-three supplement, such as nuts, seeds, and oily fish, because they include polyunsaturated fats that can help you lose weight by reducing liver fat and improving cholesterol levels. You can do this by exercising or controlling your diet. To minimize fat buildup in the liver, it is recommended that you lose 3-5 percent of your body weight."