In today's health science symposium, we will discuss a health problem that is becoming more and more common and affects our quality of life - fatty liver. As soon as many people hear the word "fatty liver", they begin to drum in their hearts, worrying about whether their eating habits have quietly buried hidden health risks. However, the good news I want to tell you today is that you don't have to worry too much about fatty liver! Through scientific methods, we are fully capable of "throwing out" the excess fat in the liver and maintaining the health of the liver.
The basics of fatty liver
Fatty liver: Fatty liver, medically known as hepatic liposis, is when the liver contains more than 5% of its body weight. This condition is not simply due to the fact that fat "favors" the liver, but is the result of a combination of factors. The liver is the chemical factory in our body, responsible for processing nutrients, detoxifying, and making key proteins. When too much fatty acid flows into the liver and exceeds its ability to handle it, fat accumulates in liver cells, resulting in fatty liver over time.
Common triggers: Fatty liver disease does not occur overnight. Bad habits in daily life are the main drivers. Excessive energy intake, especially diets high in sugar and saturated fats, directly leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver. At the same time, lack of exercise reduces energy consumption and exacerbates fat accumulation. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption is also an important contributor to fatty liver disease, as alcohol can directly damage liver cells and promote fat deposition in the liver.
Fatty liver is not harmless. Symptoms may be subtle at first, but as the disease progresses, it may cause hepatitis, liver fibrosis and even cirrhosis, and in severe cases, liver failure. Fatty liver disease also coexists with symptoms of metabolic syndrome, such as abnormal glucose metabolism and increased blood pressure in the systemic arteries (hypertension), complications that greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, early identification and timely intervention of fatty liver disease are crucial.
Lifestyle modifications: a lifestyle guide for patients with fatty liver disease
Dietary change: Dietary modification in patients with fatty liver disease is the cornerstone of treatment. The key is to cut back on foods that are harmful to the liver, such as foods high in sugar and saturated fats, and instead adopt a diet rich in dietary fiber and healthy fats. Foods to focus on include deep-sea fish, nuts, whole grains, and abundant fruits and vegetables. These foods not only help to reduce the burden on the liver, but also improve overall health.
Get moving: Regular physical activity is essential to reduce fatty liver disease. Without the need for high-intensity training, moderate amounts of aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, accumulating 150 minutes per week can significantly improve liver health. Exercise helps speed up fat metabolism and reduce fat accumulation in the liver while enhancing cardiovascular health.
Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight is key to managing fatty liver disease. Being overweight or obese increases the burden on the liver and promotes the accumulation of fat in the liver. Liver fat can be effectively reduced by gradually reducing body weight (with a goal of losing 0.5 to 1 kg per week). It's important to achieve weight control through a healthy diet and regular exercise, and avoid extreme or rapid weight loss methods that can have long-term negative health effects.
Sleep and stress management: Good sleep and effective stress management are equally important for improving fatty liver disease. Lack of sleep and high stress levels can interfere with the body's metabolic function, exacerbating the condition of fatty liver. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep per night are recommended to manage stress and improve sleep quality.
Medical intervention: fatty liver is not the end, treatment is a new beginning
For fatty liver, scientific research continues to advance, and several drugs have been found to be effective in reducing liver fat accumulation. These drugs work primarily to help control or reverse fatty liver disease by improving liver metabolism, lowering blood lipids, and enhancing insulin sensitivity. For example, metformin, insulin sensitizers, and certain lipid-lowering drugs have been shown to help manage fatty liver caused by abnormal glucose metabolism in some cases. However, drug therapy should be directed as required because each patient is different and the treatment regimen needs to be individualized.
Regular liver function tests and fatty liver assessment are essential parts of fatty liver management. This includes blood tests, liver ultrasound, and, if necessary, a CT or MRI scan of the liver. These tests help doctors assess the degree of inflammation in the liver, fat deposits and signs of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Through such monitoring, doctors are able to adjust their treatment plans in time to cope with changes in their condition.
In recent years, with the deepening of the research on the pathological mechanism of fatty liver, new treatments are being developed. This includes, but is not limited to, new drugs that act directly on the liver, ways to influence liver health by regulating gut microbial balance, and therapeutic strategies that target specific metabolic pathways. While these emerging treatments are still in the research phase or early clinical trials, they show new promise for the treatment of fatty liver disease.
Before taking any medical intervention, it is crucial to have in-depth communication with your doctor to understand your condition and treatment options. Follow your doctor's advice, have regular necessary check-ups, and be patient with the treatment process. Keep in mind that the process of improving fatty liver can be slow and takes time and sustained effort.