Non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) describes the liver abnormalities, which are ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with or without cirrhosis development. It commonly occurs in the significant absence of alcohol consumption. It occurs in all the age and races and is recognized to occur in 14%–30% of the general population. Obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol level) are the common risk factors linked to NAFLD. The effective prevention and treatment of NAFLD are expected to reduce the burden of liver disease and cardiovascular disease.
Can Fatty Liver Disease Go Away?
The condition is “reversible” if appropriate treatment strategies are followed. It includes identification and treatment of associated metabolic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Hepato-protective agents such as antioxidants drugs help to protect the liver from secondary insults. Levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-and glutamyl transferase (GGT) are extremely useful in a confirmative diagnosis of NAFLD. This condition can reversed by an improvement in insulin resistance through healthy means of weight loss, regulated caloric intake, and physical workouts. Healthy weight reduction can be done by restricting caloric intake by choosing the right diet plan and regular workouts. Patients who have morbid obesity, bariatric surgery may be helpful. This procedure is done by decreasing the stomach size by removing a portion of the stomach or by using gastric bands.
Diet, Weight Loss, and Exercise Can Get Rid Of The Fatty Liver Disease
Most of the triggering factors associated with NAFLD are overweight and obese. 10% of weight reduction and regular exercise are associated with improvement in insulin sensitivity. Weight loss incurred by extremely low energy levels tends to be associated with elevation of bilirubin levels and portal inflammation and hence need to be avoided. Energy restriction of approximately 30 kcal/kg/day is good enough keeping the target as weight loss of about 15% of the total body weight within a span of six to eight months. Physical exercise is a proven therapeutic strategy to improve fatty liver disease. Physical exercise increases oxidative process of fatty acids, reduces synthesis of fatty acid, and also prevents hepatocellular and mitochondrial damage by inhibiting release of molecular patterns known to be associated with NAFLD.
Patients with NAFLD seem more likely to have a diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol and low in fiber and antioxidants. This kind of diet is the main triggering factor NALFD. Both mono as well as poly unsaturated fats improve insulin resistance and are beneficial in improvement of hepatic steatosis.
Pharmacotherapy for NALFD
Understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD and appropriate drug treatment to manage the metabolic disorder can help to get rid of liver disease easily. Insulin-sensitizing drugs, anti-oxidants drugs, and lipid-lowering drugs are potential candidates for the treatment of NAFLD. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycaemic agent have shown much improvement for hepatic steatosis. Probucol is a lipid-lowering potent antioxidant and has effect in patients with NAFLD. Vitamin treatment significantly improved hepatic inflammation and fibrosis compared with baseline. However, recent evidence has also suggested that vitamin E supplementation may be associated with an increased risk of death and heart failure. Angiotensin II promotes insulin resistance and hepatic fibrosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid has antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic and immune modulating properties and thus is potent in dealing with chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Statins are the well-known candidate, which reduces the level of low-density lipoprotein or “bad cholesterol” in the body.
Conclusion
There are various methods through resistance and aerobic training that have shown to decrease fat content in the liver by improving insulin resistance, improving metabolism of fatty acids and improved mitochondrial function of the liver. Moreover, appropriate drugs are effective in treating the elevations of liver enzymes, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Early detection of NAFLD can reduce the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and cardiovascular disease in diabetes patients. The condition is “reversible” if appropriate treatment strategies are followed.
Also Read:
- Fatty Liver Disease (FLD): Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
- What Foods Can You Eat With Fatty Liver Disease?
- Is Rice Good For Fatty Liver Disease?
- What Causes you to Have a Fatty Liver?
- What is the Best Natural Treatment for Fatty Liver?
- Why Does Excessive Alcohol Consumption Lead to Fatty Liver?
- How Can I Prevent the Occurrence of Fatty Liver?
