The Ugly Truth About Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Introduction :

This is discernibly true; in many countries, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a severe health concern, and this pandemic disease is making sturdy roots worldwide. The liver is our body’s main homeostatic organ, and it plays a significant role in our immune system ( Kupffer cells kill the pathogens such as bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal tract) and cardiovascular system ( filters toxins from the blood, destroys old blood cells, and produce blood clotting factors).

• It also plays a vital role in synthesizing bile, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and red blood cells.

• The liver is extremely quick to recover, but liver illness can disrupt vital functions.

The famous saying is :

Health is not valued till sickness comes.

What is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses many conditions, including hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and irreversible cirrhosis. In this disease, the triglycerides accumulate inside the hepatocytes due to the esterification of free fatty acid (FFA) and glycerol.

Three sources raise the free fatty acids (FFAs) in the liver.

1. Lipolysis

2. Dietary sources

3. De novo lipogenesis (DNL)

• The reason for fat accumulation in the liver is the synthesis of fat, decreased fat oxidation, and increased fat delivery.

Moreover, according to recent research, NAFLD patients are at higher risk of premature heart disease. This is an alarming side of NAFLD disease that up to 50% of cases may occur even in the absence of cirrhosis, and this situation will worsen the result.

What are the Symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ?

Here are the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), i.e., abdominal swelling, enlarged spleen, red palm, jaundice, enlarged vascular blood vessels underneath the skin’s surface. Recognizing early warning symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) will help the medical care team in the treatment.

What causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a worldwide common health concern issue that affects up to one-third of the population. There are many causes of NAFLD, such as obesity, insulin resistance, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

What are the risk factors of NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease )?

There are many risk factors such as high cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides in the blood, metabolic syndrome, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, Type 2 diabetes, hypopituitarism, and cardiovascular diseases can increase the chances of NAFLD.

What foods cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

There are six foods you should avoid when you are suffering from fatty liver.

1. Alcohol:

One of the significant contributors to fatty liver disease and other liver infections is alcohol.

2. Too much consumption of salt:

The utilization of an excessive amount of salt can raise the chances of NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). The salt intake in diet should be less than 2300 mg per day, and the high blood pressure patients are restricted to intake of salt not more significant than  1500mg.

3. Red meat :

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients should avoid red meat because saturated fat is high in beef and meats.

4. White bread, pasta, and rice :

White flour is highly processed, and the food items made by it might elevate blood sugar levels compared to whole grain because of lack of fiber.

5. Fried foods :

The NAFLD patients should avoid fried foods because these are highly enriched in calories and fat, increasing the chances of liver disorders.

6. Sugary foods :

Avoid sugary foods like sweets, sodas, candy, and fruit juices. Another reason for the increase in fat is the high blood sugar that accumulates in the liver.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment by natural home remedies

There are many natural home remedies to cure Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), such as weight loss, regular exercise, drinking coffee, taking a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain), trying milk thistle, and treatment of NAFLD with Curcumin which is described as follows :

1. WEIGHT LOSS :

Weight loss is associated with an increase in insulin sensitivity, and accordingly, this is a logical treatment modality for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. The weight reduction can achieve through caloric limitation from consuming fewer calories, physical activity, and bariatric surgery in obese patients.

Obese people are thought to have a 90% chance of having NAFLD because obesity is so pervasive in developed countries, and roughly 30% of the young generation are suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

2. Do Regular exercise :

The American Association emphasizes regular exercise for liver disorders that assists in Weight loss. Exercise daily reduces the chances of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

In the contextual relationship of NAFLD research,  moderate exercise is frequently considered 5  exercise sessions for 30 minutes per week, the warm-up for 10 minutes, and cool down for 5 minutes at 30 %-40% concerning your aim at heart rate.

3. Drink Coffee :

One of the significant risk factors of  NAFLD is metabolic syndrome. Several studies have found that coffee is very effective against it due to its anti-inflammatory properties or decreasing fat deposition in the liver. Moreover, recent research has shown that coffee consumers have a reduced prevalence of NAFLD.

A few cups of espresso coffee per day appears to be the optimal amount for lowering the chances of liver disorder. Black coffee contains no extra fat and sugar. That’s why it is considered the best option.

4. Try Milk Thistle :

Milk thistle is a traditional liver treatment, and it may increase the synthesis of enzymes that assist the liver in eliminating toxins. Several studies have found that it may assist in the reduction of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) liver enzymes. The ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST ((aspartate aminotransferase) both damage the liver, so the lower level of these enzymes indicates a healthy liver. The milk thistle may assist in lessening the fibrosis which is caused by NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis).

5. Take a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain)

The intake of healthy diets such as berries, oranges, dates, apples, bananas, melons, leafy greens, figs, peppers, broccoli, squash, potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, beans, pulses, peas, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, avocados, seeds, olives, fish, skinless chicken, whole-wheat bread, couscous, whole oats, quinoa, and brown rice is effective in NFLD.

6. Treatment of NAFLD with Curcumin:

NAFLD is a worldwide public health issue. Curcumin is a characteristic polyphenol derived from turmeric, and it is helpful against hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis. However, these therapeutic benefits have not been investigated in clinical practice. The point of this review is to examine the impacts of Curcumin on the hepatic fat level and anthropometric parameters in NAFLD patients. The randomized placebo-controlled trial on NFLD patients with the proof of ultrasonography was arbitrarily assigned to get an amorphous Curcumin dispersion provision.

 At the baseline of the follow-up period, the liver fat substance (as measured by ultrasonography), glycemic level, lipid profiles, anthropometric indices, and transaminase levels were analyzed. Compared to the placebo group, there were also substantial reductions in total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, and glycated hemoglobin blood levels. They found that Curcumin was safe and well-tolerated during the trial.

Conclusion :

So, in the bottom line, I must say that Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is turning into serious health concerning issue, and this pandemic disease is making sturdy roots worldwide. The recognition of early warning symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), i.e., abdominal swelling, enlarged spleen, red palm, jaundice, enlarged vascular blood vessels underneath the skin’s surface, will help the medical care team in the treatment. There are many natural home remedies to cure Non- alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), such as weight loss, regular exercise, drinking coffee, taking a healthy diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain) trying milk thistle, and treatment of NAFLD with Curcumin. If we practice a healthier lifestyle, then we can overcome this health concerning issue.