For the most of us who curse the fats in our diet, it is time to revisit your diet plan. Diets high in fat and low in carbohydrates are now largely viewed as being healthier. To be able to restrict the excess intake of either of the two, a good understanding of how each affects the liver is critical.

If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver with little or no inflammation, the condition is also referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Apart from restricting a high-carb diet, blood sugar regulation and weight loss are two more essential parameters to deal with fatty liver. 

In this article, we'll go through the effects of carbs on the liver, the consequences of ignoring fatty liver, and several easy ways to treat the condition.

Role Of Fats And Carbs

Many people in today's fast-paced culture opt for a diet heavier in carbohydrates because it is more convenient and requires less time to prepare and consume. White bread, milk, fried foods, cookies, spaghetti, soft drinks, corn, and sweets are just a few of the many items that include carbohydrates.

But it is important to understand the basic role distinction between fats and carbohydrates. Let's take a look at the following table

To summarise, it is the carbohydrates that contribute largely to a fatty liver and not fats! If a person consumes an excessive amount of carbohydrates, they will eventually develop the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). How? These substances are stored in the fatty cells of the body and also accumulate in the liver. Over time, it leads to insulin resistance, which in turn raises triglycerides and stimulates the liver to take in more fat.

Watch this video about “How to Treat a Fatty Liver” by Dr. Sarath Chandra

What Happens if Fatty Liver is Not Controlled?

The fatty liver starts to develop if the bulk of your diet is carbohydrates. Moreover, the sedentary lifestyle that desk jobs have plagued us with, only adds to the liver distress. To categorise the level of development of fatty liver, they are generally grouped under two grades:

• Grade 1 
• Grade 2

The good news is that your fatty liver can be readily reversed by undergoing lifestyle modifications. Following a diet plan that focuses on your daily activities and eating habits is all that is required without any need of medication.

But if ignored and left untreated, the same can progress to cause serious damage and scarring of the liver. To name a few precipitating disorders where the underlying factor is fatty liver are:

• High cholesterol 
• Metabolic syndrome
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Sleep apnoea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Thyroid problems

Tips to Reverse Fatty Liver

It is possible to reverse NAFLD by making changes to your daily diet chart and lifestyle in general. A timely intervention to prevent further complications may take control and perhaps reverse the disease.

1. Try Mediterranean Diet 

It is a diet high in antioxidant content with greater emphasis on heart-friendly fats. The reduced carb intake in the diet allows for better functioning of the liver by reducing the amount of fat accumulation.

2. Eat The Right Fats

Consume meals that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats (like peanuts, avocados, pumpkin seeds and hazelnuts) to improve your insulin levels and reduce the amount of fat that your liver stores as a result.

3. Get Rid Of Unwanted Weight

Fat accumulates in the liver as a result of being overweight; reducing weight helps in accelerating the reversal process.

4. Restrict Your Alcohol Intake

Indulging excessively in drinking has obvious threat signals to the liver. Daily consumption of alcohol can significantly contribute to hepatic fat build-up.

Now that you are aware of the fact that fatty liver can worsen without treatment, it is advisable to schedule a consultation with a hepatologist to seek in detail advice. It is always prudent to keep health as a priority because everything else can wait.

With the availability of diagnostic tests like lipid profile, liver enzyme, and liver function tests besides various liver imaging techniques. You sure have no reason to blame yourself for ill health!

Book a Liver Function Test Now

Final Note

We're all well aware of the vital role the liver plays in maintaining our health. However, given the culture of fast food in our society, the prevalence of fatty liver is increasing every day. But if there is a zeal to enjoy a life that is fatty liver-free, our health information blogs around it are just a click away. 

Talk to the top hepatologists at Apollo to find out more about fatty liver.

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Dhanunjay Reddy B