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What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and what causes it?
If your liver is composed of 5 to 10% of its weight in fat, then you are affected by nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The liver is responsible for producing bile, which helps the body store minerals and vitamins, cleans the blood, breaks down hormones and digests fats.
In the case of NAFLD, the liver is not able to break down fats as it should. As a result, fats accumulate and the liver enlarges. This disorder is the most common liver disease in the world.
This is caused by:
- alcohol consumption
- age
- genetics
- diabetes
- high triglycerides
- high cholesterol
- undernutrition and poor diet
- obesity
- thyroid disorders
- sedentary lifestyle
- certain medications
In cases of cell damage and inflammation in the living tissue, in addition to NAFLD people are diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Approximately 2 to 5% of Americans are affected by NASH.
It is estimated that approximately 20 to 30% of adults in Western countries have NAFLD. However, the incidence is lower in Eastern countries. The occurrence is also mostly among older people, but it is increasing among younger people due to excessive fat consumption.
7 signs that you have fatty liver
The most common symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are:
- fatigue
- weight loss
- upper abdominal pain
- jaundice – which indicates a yellowing of our skin or mucous membranes
- swelling of our body (referred to as abdominal swelling and edema) due to a lack of proteins produced by the liver
- increased bruising
- mental confusion
Note: you should consult your doctor to make sure that the symptoms you are experiencing are associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These symptoms are often associated with a variety of different conditions.
Home remedies for NAFLD
Weight loss: when you lose body fat, fat is also lost from the liver
Diet changes: avoid high-fat foods and add more raw vegetables, sweet potatoes, ginger root and bananas to your diet
Black seed oil: effective for many conditions including NAFLD
Turmeric: will aid digestion and will fight NAFLD-related inflammation
Vitamin E: its antioxidant properties will fight the inflammation caused by NAFLD
Wolfberry: restores natural enzymes and reduces oxidative effects
Resveratrol: a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent
Milk thistle: reduces oxidative stress and NAFLD inflammation
Exercise: half an hour of exercise a day is very beneficial for people suffering from NAFLD
Increase glutathione: removes toxins from cells
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Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and is a translation from foreign websites. It does not replace medical treatment, examination by a doctor or consultation with another healthcare professional. Posts may contain information that does not agree with the views of the editorial staff. Consult all necessary steps first with your doctor / pharmacist.
