Fatty liver, also called fatty liver disease, is the accumulation of fat in the liver that can cause inflammation and damage to liver cells. The appearance of this disease is linked to healthy lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a diet high in fat and carbohydrates. physical inactivity or excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
However, fatty liver disease can also occur as a result of certain diseases such as diabetes for example. This disease is asymptomatic and it is important to be aware of possible causes and, if there is a risk, your doctor should help make an assessment to identify steatosis in time, so that it can be treated quickly and avoid complications. . , such as cirrhosis of the liver, for example.
The main causes of fat in the liver are
Obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are the most common causes of fat accumulation in the liver; in these cases, there is an imbalance between the body’s production and use of triglycerides, resulting in an increase in fat stored in the liver. .
High cholesterol is another major cause of fatty liver disease, especially when there is an increase in triglycerides and a degradation of HDL, which is good cholesterol.
The accumulation of fat in the liver is also lifestyle related. Combining the consumption of foods high in sugar, fat and low in fiber with a sedentary lifestyle, leads to weight gain, aggravating the fatty liver.
A foie gras can also occur in cases of excessive alcohol consumption, and this excess is taken into account when daily alcohol content exceeds 20 g for women and more than 30 g for men, equivalent to 2 and 3 doses respectively.
People with chronic hepatitis B or C are less likely to have fat in the liver and other related diseases, since the presence of hepatitis-induced lesions in liver cells complicates the work of the organs and facilitates the accumulation of fat.
The use of medications such as amiodarone, corticosteroids, estrogen or tamoxifen may contribute to the accumulation of fat in the liver, as its use can largely cause damage to this organ and therefore fatty liver can occur.
This disease is rare, manifests in childhood and is characterized by the body’s inability to metabolize excess copper, as a result of a poisoning picture, this excess copper is normally stored in the liver, which damages cells and facilitates fat accumulation. in myism.
Malnutrition leads to a decrease in lipoproteins in the body, which are the molecules responsible for the elimination of fats; the lack of these lipoproteins prevents the production of liver triglycerides, which accumulate in the organ and cause fatty liver disease.
Excess fat in the liver usually shows no signs of symptoms and is usually misdiagnosed when the person undergoes an ultrasound of the abdomen as part of their routine exams. After suspicion, your doctor evaluates levels of liver enzymes TGO and TGP, as well as the concentration of bilirubin, cholesterol and gamma-GT in your blood to confirm the disease.
In the most severe cases, they are damaged when fatty liver disease is not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, but there may be symptoms such as digestion, frequent fatigue, loss of appetite and abdomen, for example. big liver.
Complications caused by fat buildup in the liver depend on a person’s lifestyle and other associated factors, such as diabetes, obesity, or immune diseases. In general, inflammation of the liver can be progressive, so wide spotting could cause more serious diseases, such as liver cirrhosis.
To avoid the consequences of fat accumulation in the liver, it is recommended that the person improve a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding the consumption of foods high in fats and sugars, so regular physical exercise should be performed at least 30 minutes a day. Day. See what that should look like in the schematic.