An unhealthy lifestyle can cause fatty liver. More and more people are suffering from a fatty liver these days, experts warn.
In Germany, more and more people suffer from fatty liver. According to the German Liver Foundation, around a third of adults currently have an enlarged liver due to fat storage. In addition, one in three overweight children is said to already have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFDL), which is due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Liver experts now see the great danger that in the future the number of these fatty liver diseases will increase even faster than previously expected.
Fatty liver: Experts warn of danger and rising case numbers
More and more people in Germany suffer from fatty liver disease. (Symbolic image) © Science Photo Library/IMAGO
"Overweight and obesity are already a risk factor for many secondary diseases such as NAFLD at a young age," says Prof. Dr. Michael P. Manns, Chairman of the Board of the German Liver Foundation, according to a press release. The liver suffers above all from the "unhealthy Western lifestyle". This is characterized by a high-calorie and often carbohydrate-rich diet with a simultaneous lack of exercise, according to the expert. "NAFLD is often associated with other diseases that are also based on the risk factors of obesity and lack of exercise, such as cardiovascular diseases or diabetes mellitus – and unfortunately these diseases reinforce each other," Manns continues.
The spectrum of NAFLD is also broad. There is not only simple non-alcoholic fatty liver, but also chronically progressive, non-alcoholic fatty liver inflammation. Furthermore, liver fibrosis (proliferation of connective tissue) or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) can develop. "In most chronic liver diseases, the risk of tumor formation is increased in the stage of liver cirrhosis: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can develop. In the case of non-alcoholic fatty liver inflammation, however, hepatocellular carcinoma can occur even before cirrhosis is present," warns the expert.
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Fatty liver: what helps against it and how it can regenerate
According to the German Liver Foundation, there is a risk that obesity and lack of exercise can become a problem for the liver and, in the long term, for society as a whole. Therefore, it is imperative to counteract this trend. However, there are currently no drugs for fatty liver or non-alcoholic fatty liver inflammation (NASH). However, since the liver is an organ that can regenerate well, there is already an effective therapy for fatty liver disease: lifestyle changes.
These include a healthy diet, exercise, reduction of obesity and the successful control of diabetes. In this way, those affected can often successfully counteract their fatty liver disease and the fatty liver partially or even completely regresses. Nutrition in particular plays a decisive role, explains Manns: "For those affected, a healthy diet that is appropriate to the situation is enormously important. It can significantly improve the state of health of those affected; even contribute to the cure of fatty liver diseases."
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This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, individual questions about clinical pictures may not be answered by our editors.
