As of: January 23, 2024, 1:38 p.m
By: Natalie Hull-Deichsel
Comments
Press
Split
Even slim or slightly overweight people can develop a fatty liver.
Those who do not adapt their lifestyle risk serious consequences.
Fatty liver disease or steatosis hepatis is widespread in Germany.
There is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFL), although it is often difficult to make a clear distinction.
Causes of fatty liver disease, often in combination, include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, regular to heavy alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus.
If the liver has to process more toxins and fats than it can break down or store, fat is deposited in the liver tissue, as the
German Liver Foundation
explains.
The risk of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and other complications, such as high blood pressure, is greatly increased.
Around a third of adults have an enlarged liver due to too much fat storage, and the trend is rising.
Even one in three overweight children develops fatty liver disease.
What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?
A diseased liver can develop over a long period of time and cause few or rather unspecific symptoms such as exhaustion and tiredness.
© Monkey Business 2/Imago
A fatty liver does not cause pain and does not cause any clear symptoms for a long time; possible non-specific symptoms are often not associated with the organ.
If the fatty liver is already more advanced, functional tissue is destroyed and there is insufficient blood circulation.
The fatty liver can then lead to the dreaded liver cirrhosis, which is often accompanied by non-specific symptoms:
Tiredness and exhaustion
Loss of appetite
weight loss
Feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen
Itching of the skin
Muscle tremors (tremors)
Yellowing of the skin and eyes, called jaundice
Finest, visible blood vessels - also called liver stars - under the skin, primarily on the face, nose, neck, chest or arms
So-called raspberry tongue or lacquer tongue, i.e. a smooth, shiny red tongue, is the first visible indication of impending liver failure in liver cirrhosis
What is the best remedy for fatty liver disease?
According to the German Liver Foundation
, it is not yet possible to reverse or cure the long-term symptom-free liver disease with medication
.
Obesity can be reversed through four factors such as categorical changes in diet, controlled weight loss, regular exercise and alcohol abstinence.
Don't miss anything: You can find everything about health in the regular newsletter from our partner 24vita.de.
My news
Treat high blood pressure with micronutrients?
Magnesium and vitamin D have a blood pressure-lowering effect
The flu wave has begun – all age groups are affected read
Unusual abdominal bulge in jungle camp candidate: What illness does Heinz Hoenig suffer from?read
Not all painkillers work for you?
Researchers are finding out why this reading
Cold: Medicines tested – only one medicine really helps read
Heartburn diet: Four suitable foods to prevent suffering read
What can you eat or not eat if you have fatty liver disease?
Since fatty liver disease is also caused by poor nutrition, especially increased carbohydrates, it makes sense and is important to consume less bread, pasta, rice, pastries and puff pastry products.
Oatmeal helps against fatty liver disease: Eat a portion at least once a week
Oat days can help prevent fatty liver disease: take an oatmeal diet at least one day, and at best three or even four days a
week
.
On the oatmeal treatment days, only oatmeal with minor flavor additions such as fruit or vegetables should be consumed with meals.
As soon as the liver becomes fatty, harmful foods should be avoided.
The Logi method (
Low
Glycemic
and
Insulinemic Diet)
offers
support here.
This form of nutrition keeps blood sugar and insulin levels low, thus relieving the strain on the liver.
When choosing carbohydrates, special attention should be paid to fiber, such as whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta and whole-grain rice.
The basis of the Logi diet includes vegetables (rhubarb, carrots, peppers, potatoes, broccoli), unsaturated fats (nuts, legumes, eggs, fish) and vegetable oils (olive oil, rapeseed oil, linseed oil, safflower oil), as well as fruits with a low fructose content ( Avocado, strawberries, blackberries, clementines, plums).
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.