Fatty liver is not exclusive to fat people

"In recent years, the incidence of chronic hepatitis such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C is gradually declining. But there is a type of liver disease that is often overlooked, and that is fatty liver." Recently, Lu Wei, director of the Liver Cancer Prevention and Treatment Research Center of Tianjin Cancer Hospital, pointed out in an interview with a reporter from Science Popularization Times that about 25% of simple fatty liver will progress to fatty liver hepatitis, and about 10% of fatty liver hepatitis can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, of which 1% to 5% of patients may develop liver cancer.

Eating more, moving less, and staying up late can easily cause fatty liver

Fatty liver is also called "metabolic-related fatty liver disease". In addition to the risk of liver cancer, it is often accompanied by other metabolic abnormalities. If not promptly intervened, within 10 to 15 years it will induce coronary heart disease, stroke, etc. due to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and gout.

Fatty liver is mainly caused by bad eating habits. Studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between the two. The main factor in the formation of fatty liver is excessive intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, which cannot be completely consumed by the human body, causing fat to accumulate in the liver. Color Doppler ultrasound examinations will find that liver cells are replaced by fat cells. In addition, eating more and exercising less, staying up late, and living a monotonous life can also easily cause fatty liver.

Thin people can also suffer from fatty liver

Many people think that only obese people will suffer from fatty liver, but in fact, many people who look thin may also be diagnosed with fatty liver. Lu Wei explained: "Many people look thin, but their visceral fat is not necessarily less. In addition to obesity, type 2 diabetes, alcohol, drugs, hyperlipidemia, viral hepatitis, rapid weight loss, genetic influences, etc. are all high-risk factors for fatty liver."

Long-term drinkers with diabetes and hyperlipidemia will have their blood sugar levels increase, and the concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood will increase. When the blood circulates to the liver, the liver's metabolic capacity is insufficient, and fatty liver is easily formed. Alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis are the "trilogy" of alcoholic liver disease.

People who often skip breakfast will suffer from malnutrition and energy metabolism disorders, thus inducing fatty liver. Some women who often eat snacks may seem to eat very little at meals, but the intake of high-calorie and nutrient-deficient foods will also cause calorie accumulation and nutrient deficiency, thus leading to the appearance of fatty liver.

A healthy diet can reverse fatty liver disease

"Generally speaking, fatty liver can be reversed," said Lu Wei. By eating a proper diet, not eating high-fat and fried foods, quitting smoking and drinking, increasing physical exercise, reducing work and life pressures, and maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, fatty liver can be gradually reversed. However, if patients with severe fatty liver have already developed liver fibrosis, they can only improve the symptoms but cannot reverse it.

"Patients with severe fatty liver and liver fibrosis can take oral medications to lower lipids, and patients with liver damage need to pay attention to protecting the liver." Lu Wei said that although the fatty liver of this type of patients is irreversible, liver function can still be improved through standardized and scientific treatment.
Long-term abuse of liver-protecting drugs may damage the liver

At present, there are many health products on the market that protect the liver. Many people with fatty liver hope to reverse fatty liver or protect the liver by taking health products.
In this regard, Lu Wei said that since most drugs are metabolized by the liver, if too many types of liver-protecting drugs are used, the dosage is too large, and the duration is too long in the process of treating liver disease, it may increase the burden on the liver and even cause drug-induced liver damage. Therefore, for patients who have already suffered liver damage, liver-protecting drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor to avoid unnecessary damage and burden on the liver.