Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which there is extra fat accumulated in liver cells. It is a broad terminology designed to cover a variety of liver conditions. (1)
Lifestyle Changes For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may benefit certain lifestyle changes, which you can implement with the help of your doctor. These may include-
Weight Loss –
- If you are above your recommended body weight or obese, you may need to decrease the number of calories you intake and increase the amount of physical activity so that you can lose weight when you have Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Reducing calories is essential for controlling this disease. Your doctor may help you in achieving this(2)
Diet –
Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, etc. and keeping a track of all the calories that you take in may help in weight loss and provide you with balanced nutrition(2)
Regular Exercise-
- Exercising regularly may help you in losing weight as well as stay fit when you have Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Talk to your doctor first about starting any exercises, if you have never really been into exercising ever before(2)
Watch Out For Your Diabetes –
Keeping your diabetes in control is essential for your liver health as well, as uncontrolled blood sugar can cause severe damage to the liver also(2)
Check Your Cholesterol Levels –
Since Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is all about the excessive fat collection in your liver cells, keeping the cholesterol in check is essential for the overall progress in the disease as well as losing weight(2)
Liver Protection –
- Do not consume things that will put excess pressure on your liver, like alcohol.
- Complete abstinence from alcohol is the key to a speedy and complete recovery from Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- While using any medications, follow the directions written on the packages carefully or talk to your doctor about the same. An unguided use of medicines can be toxic to your liver in the long run(2)
Alternative Treatment For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Alternative treatment methods are not proven to be a cure for Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, there is ongoing research going on whether some natural compounds can be used for the treatment of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, provide-
Vitamin E –
Some studies show that vitamin E and other nutrients that act as antioxidants may be useful in reducing the damage caused to the liver due to inflammation and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
However, more studies are needed to support this claim(2)
Coffee –
It has been found in several studies that those who had more than a couple of cups of coffee every day had lesser chances of liver damage than those who had no coffee each day.
The role of coffee in influencing liver damage is not fully understood, however, it is believed that the effect may be due to compounds in coffee that fight inflammation
That said, if you do not already drink coffee, this reason alone is not sufficient to start drinking it now, unless you talk to your doctor first.(2)
Prevention Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Preventive measures may include-
Eating A Healthy Diet-
A healthy diet that is rich in plant-based products like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats can ensure that your liver stays in its prime health(1)
Checking On Your Weight-
If your weight is above the recommended limits or you are obese it is advisable to decrease the calories that you consume and increase the calories that you burn so that your weight can be reduced significantly, and liver damage can be prevented(1)
Exercise-
Exercise will keep you generally fit and keep you away from any health problems.
However, if you have never exercised before, it is advisable to start only after consultation with your doctor(1)
Conclusion
Certain lifestyle changes can help you improve your liver condition and slow down the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
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?
- Can Fatty Liver Disease Go Away?
- How To Diagnose Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease & What Is The Best Medicine For It?
- Is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
- What Is The Prognosis For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?
