What is Fatty Liver Disease? Foods That Are Good For Your Liver-peacefulmindbody

Fatty liver is a condition in which excess fat is stored in the liver. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver disease in the United States. 
NAFLD is more common in people with certain conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes — and unlike alcohol-related liver disease, NAFLD is not caused by heavy alcohol.

FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER IN HUMAN BODY:

The liver produces bile. This is a chemical that helps in the digestion of fat.

The liver detoxifies, it filters (cleans) the blood, removing toxins and waste that eventually leave the body through urine and feces.

The liver produces albumin. Albumin is a protein that keeps fluids in the bloodstream from leaking into surrounding tissue. It also carries hormones, vitamins, and enzymes through the body.

Regulates Blood Clotting.

The liver also removes bacteria from the bloodstream. 

The liver stores significant amounts of vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12, as well as iron and copper.

The liver removes excess glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and stores it as glycogen. As needed, it can convert glycogen back into glucose.

FOODS THAT CAN BOOST LIVER HEALTH:

Foods that are high in fiber, antioxidants, or healthy fats improve Liver health. These include berries, cruciferous vegetables, beans, nuts, and fatty fish. 

Avoiding certain foods — like processed foods and alcohol — will also help with liver repair. 

Cruciferous vegetables.

Avocados.

Berries.

Grapefruit.

Grapes.

Beans, lentils, chickpeas.

Walnuts.

Fatty fish, salmon, sardines, tuna, trout, and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

turmeric and curcumin.

sunflower seeds and other sources of vitamin E.

garlic.

green tea contains compounds — called catechins — that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds can help lower the risk of NAFLD and may also help prevent liver cancer. 

Oatmeal. 

Olive oil.

FOODS TO AVOID IN FATTY LIVER DISEASE:

Limit sugar. Diets that are high in sugar — especially sweetened drinks — may increase the risk of NAFLD.

Minimize processed foods. These include frozen meals, chips, and cookies. These tend to be high in added sugar, fat, and salt, which have been linked to liver disease and NAFLD. 

Cut back on alcohol. Limit alcohol, which may cause liver damage.

Full-fat cheese

Yogurt, except low-fat.

Red meat.

Fried food.

SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF LIVER DAMAGE:

Fatigue.

Jaundice, yellowing of eyes and skin.

Nausea.

Appetite loss.

Easy bruising or bleeding.

Itchy skin.

Tenderness/pain in the liver area.

Dark urine.

Swelling in ankles, feet, or lower legs.

Extreme Weight Loss.

Spider-like blood vessels just beneath the skin surface.

The general feeling of being unwell.

Pale stool.

Most Common Types Of Liver Diseases:

Alcoholic Liver Disease, it is caused by excessive alcohol intake.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLHD). If there is just fat but no damage to the liver, the disease is called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If there is fat in the liver plus signs of inflammation and liver cell damage, the disease is called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

HOW TO KEEP YOUR LIVER HEALTHY:

Follow a Healthy Diet For Liver:

Eat balanced meals by avoiding high-calorie foods with saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, and sugars. Avoid foods that are bad for your liver.

Take Your Medication Right:

Though acetaminophen is the most common medication that can harm your liver, other meds can do that, too - especially if you don’t take them as directed. However, acetaminophen is the most common medication that can harm your liver. Statins for high cholesterol and certain antibiotics (amoxicillin, clindamycin, erythromycin) are some examples.

Keep a Healthy Body Weight:

That means working to keep a body mass index (BMI) of between 18 and 25. Make Exercise a Part of Your Daily Routine.

Get Vaccinated:

You can get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.

Take Precaution With Herbs and Supplements:

Be careful taking herbal remedies and supplements. 

Take precautions to avoid getting infected with Hepatitis A, B and C:

Hepatitis A can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, and Hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through blood transfusion, sharing used needles, razors, and unprotected sexual intercourse, etc.

Regular medical check-ups, making sure that your body is fit and fine. 

Prevention is better than cure, so by making some dietary and lifestyle changes, you can make your liver happy and enjoy a healthier life. 

Don't forget to share this information with your loved ones.

All the best!