reason for fatty liver - #16696
I am really confused and worried about my health lately. A few months ago, my doctor told me I have fatty liver, and to be honest, I never saw that coming. I mean, I try to eat healthy, or at least I thought I did! I do enjoy my pasta and wine on the weekends, but who doesn't? Anyway, I guess I need to understand the reason for fatty liver better. Like, how did it even happen? Is it just my diet, or could it be something else? Like, I've read that alcohol can play a big part, but I don’t drink that much at all. Some days I feel fine, and then I get these random pains in my side and it worries me a lot. I got some tests done, and they just confirmed that my liver enzymes were elevated. I feel like I’m missing something. Is obesity really the only reason for fatty liver or can it also be linked to things like my family history or medications? I don’t want to panic, but I need to know what other reasons for fatty liver could be out there. I do exercise a bit, but maybe it’s not enough? I just want to be able to turn this around before it’s too late!
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Doctors’ responses
Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, is surprisingly common and not solely tied to alcohol consumption or a single lifestyle factor. Besides alcohol, it can indeed result from various other causes, with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) being a more prevalent form, especially in individuals who drink minimal alcohol. Several factors might contribute to fatty liver, making it a multifactorial condition. First, diet and weight play significant roles, but so do genetics, which could explain why even those making semi-healthy choices might develop it. Family history can predispose someone to liver conditions, so if there are any known cases within your family, this might increase your likelihood of developing fatty liver.
Obesity is another contributing factor as excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, correlates with increased liver fat. However, fatty liver can also affect those within a normal weight range, often linked to imbalances like metabolic syndrome, which includes issues such as insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Medications, such as corticosteroids, certain cancer drugs, and antiviral treatments, might contribute to fatty liver development as well.
Even moderately frequent consumption of sugars and refined carbohydrates can lead to liver fat accumulation, so it’s worth checking how much of these you’re including in your ‘healthy’ diet. Lack of physical activity may exacerbate fat buildup, but given your exercise routine, aiming for around 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly could be beneficial. Given the rise in processed foods, it’s not uncommon for even the conscientious eater to unintentionally overconsume sugars and unhealthy fats, which might contribute to elevated liver enzymes.
To navigate this, refining your diet to reduce added sugars and processed foods, incorporating healthy fats, and maintaining or increasing your exercise frequency might help reverse the condition. Consider a comprehensive evaluation with your doctor if persistent symptoms or concerns arise, which could involve a more in-depth lifestyle analysis or assessment of other potential risk factors, like thyroid dysfunction or PCOS, which are also linked with NAFLD. And, importantly, since certain liver conditions can progress silently, regular follow-ups are crucial in monitoring your liver health.
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