A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Fatty Liver Disease

I had a question the other day about fatty liver disease.

Some fat in your liver is normal.

But if fat makes up more than 5%-10% of the weight of your liver, you may have  a type of fatty liver disease.

In some cases, these diseases can lead to serious complications.

Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Millions of people abuse or overuse alcohol.

Almost all of them develop fatty livers. 

Fatty liver can occur after drinking moderate or large amounts of alcohol.

It can even occur after a short period of heavy drinking.

Genetics plays a role in alcoholic liver disease by influencing how much alcohol you consume and your likelihood of developing alcoholism.

And, it may also affect levels of liver enzymes involved in the breakdown of alcohol.

Other factors that may influence your chances of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease include:

>Hepatitis C

>An overload of iron

>Obesity

>Diet

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease.

Some people with excess fat in their liver simply have a fatty liver.

Although this isn’t normal, it’s not serious if it doesn’t lead to inflammation or damage.

Others have what’s called nonalcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH).

Although it’s similar to alcoholic liver disease, people with this type of fatty liver disease drink little or no alcohol.

NASH can lead to permanent liver damage.

The liver may enlarge and liver cells may be replaced by scar tissue.

This is called cirrhosis.

The liver can’t work right and you may develop liver failure, liver cancer, and liver-related death.

Up to 20% of adults may have either fatty liver or NASH.

And more than 6 million children have one of these conditions, which are most common in Asian and Hispanic children.

The cause of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease isn’t clear.

Certain factors tend to increase risk, but in some cases, no risk factors show up.

However, it tends to run in families.

It also shows up most often in people who are middle-aged and overweight.

These people often have high cholesterol or triglycerides and diabetes or insulin resistance, as well.

Other potential causes of fatty liver disease include:

>Medications

>Viral hepatitis

>Autoimmune or inherited liver disease

>Rapid weight loss

>Malnutrition

Recent studies show an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine may be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver disease is often silent, producing no symptoms, especially in the beginning.

If the disease advances, it can cause problems like:

>Fatigue

>Weight loss or loss of appetite

>Weakness

>Nausea

>Confusion, impaired judgment, or trouble concentrating

>Pain in the center or right upper part of the abdomen

>An enlarged liver

>Patchy, dark skin discoloration, usually on the neck or underarm area

If cirrhosis develops, the liver loses its ability to function.

There’s no specific treatment at this time for fatty liver disease.

However, getting treatment for any underlying disease, like diabetes, is essential.

And you can take other steps to improve your condition.

To deal with fatty liver disease it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily hydrates body and brain cells and flushes toxins (whether thirsty or not!).

*Fresh squeezed lemon juice added to water (warm or room temp) in morning is ideal, but anytime is helpful.

*Consider a liver, gallbladder and/or colon cleanse.

*Increase fresh, raw foods (organic when possible).

*Consider fresh juicing.

*Decrease toxic exposures of all kinds (food and environment).

*Decrease overeating at a meal (eat until almost full, then stop).

*Decrease being overweight; maintain an optimal weight.

*Decrease any and all hydrogenated, trans fat, deep-fried foods, etc.

*Decrease products that contain refined sugar.

*Decrease caffeine, soda pop, processed foods, and alcohol.

*Avoid MSG and all artificial sweeteners.

Recommendations:

It is essential to use:  VitaLea, Protein, DTX, Alfalfa, Optiflora, NutriFeron, CoQHeart, Herb-Lax, Fiber.

It is important to use:  Vitamin C, B-Complex, Lecithin, Vitamin D, CarotoMax and/or FlavoMax, Vivix.

It is beneficial to use:  VitalMag, Vitamin E, Garlic, Immunity Formula, 180 Energy Tea.

email:  lenayphillipps@gmail.com

PS:  If you have any questions about fatty liver disease, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.