What is fatty liver disease?

Dec 30, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Gao Jun

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, fatty liver disease refers to steatosis. Steatosis is a liver condition caused by impaired fat metabolism in the liver due to various factors, leading to excessive accumulation of fat within liver cells. Fatty liver may be associated with long-term alcohol consumption, obesity, rapid weight loss, pregnancy, medication use, malnutrition, hyperlipidemia, and other related factors.

Generally speaking, fatty liver disease refers to fatty liver. Fatty liver is a liver condition caused by impaired fat metabolism due to various factors, leading to excessive accumulation of fat within liver cells. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Fatty liver may be related to long-term alcohol consumption, obesity, rapid weight loss, pregnancy, medication, malnutrition, hyperlipidemia, and other factors. These factors interact and ultimately lead to abnormal fat metabolism in the liver and fat accumulation in liver cells. Fatty liver can be classified into alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Symptoms of fatty liver typically include mild to moderate upper abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, fatigue, and possibly abnormal blood lipid levels, although there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages. If fatty liver progresses continuously, it may further lead to serious liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Fatty liver patients can take medications such as silybene megmine tablets, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, and hepatoprotective tablets under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, they should also maintain a regular schedule, balanced diet, appropriate exercise, and avoid long-term excessive alcohol consumption.

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Who is prone to alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Generally, individuals who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol, start drinking at a younger age, have other liver diseases, are obese, or are malnourished may be more susceptible to developing alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is advisable to limit alcohol intake, avoid excessive fatigue, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, and engage in moderate exercise to enhance immune function and reduce the risk of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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What are the symptoms of fatty liver disease?

Symptoms of fatty liver disease vary across different stages. In the early stage, it is simply simple fatty liver, which may be asymptomatic or cause only mild abdominal discomfort and bloating. In steatohepatitis—characterized by hepatic inflammation and impaired liver function—symptoms may include anorexia and marked abdominal distension; severe cases may present with jaundice. As steatohepatitis causes liver injury, the liver initiates a repair process.

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How to Manage Fatty Liver Through Dietary Therapy

Patients with fatty liver disease can protect their liver by increasing protein intake. Additionally, preparing a porridge with Fo-Ti (Polygonum multiflorum) and dried jujubes is highly beneficial for liver health. Another option is spinach-and-egg soup, or alternatively, crucian carp soup. Fatty liver occurs when excessive fat accumulates within hepatocytes. This condition commonly affects individuals who are obese or who consume alcohol chronically.

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Can individuals with fatty liver disease consume protein powder?

Individuals with fatty liver disease may consume protein powder, but excessive intake is not recommended. The dietary regimen for fatty liver primarily emphasizes high-protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate, vitamin-rich foods that are also abundant in amino acids. Adequate protein intake is essential to meet requirements for growth, development, and daily physiological functions. Insufficient protein intake may lead to negative nitrogen balance, resulting in malnutrition and exacerbating abnormalities in fat metabolism.

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Which Foods Should Be Avoided in Fatty Liver Disease?

Patients with fatty liver disease must avoid greasy, fried, spicy, high-fat, and high-cholesterol foods—such as fatty meats and butter. They should also avoid dried fruits, nuts, and animal offal. Additionally, they must avoid high-sugar foods such as chocolate and candy. Fresh vegetables and fruits, however, should be included in the diet. Fatty liver disease is primarily caused by excessive intake of fats and cholesterol.

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How long can a person live with severe fatty liver disease?

If patients promptly adjust their lifestyle—for example, by strictly controlling their diet, adhering to regular exercise—and follow medical advice to take medications that improve liver function, avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs, most patients can achieve disease stabilization or even reversal. Liver function gradually returns to normal, with minimal impact on overall lifespan, allowing them to maintain a normal life cycle.

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Is it suitable for patients with fatty liver disease to consume bird's nest?

Patients with mild fatty liver disease and basically normal liver function, who do not have allergic reactions to bird's nest, can consume moderate amounts of bird's nest to obtain high-quality protein. This will not significantly increase the burden on the liver, making it an appropriate choice for nutritional supplementation. However, if a patient's fatty liver has caused severe liver dysfunction and reduced digestive and absorptive capacity, consuming bird's nest may exacerbate the liver's metabolic burden.

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Can patients with fatty liver disease consume Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu)?

When patients with fatty liver disease are accompanied by liver and kidney deficiency or physical weakness, moderate consumption of Cornus officinalis (Shanzhuyu) may be beneficial. Cornus officinalis has functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys and consolidating vital essence, which can help improve symptoms such as fatigue and soreness in the waist and knees caused by liver and kidney deficiency. However, attention should be paid to controlling the dosage to avoid its greasy nature overburdening the spleen and stomach or affecting fat metabolism.

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