I guess you won’t bee seeing any posts from me about (fattening) food from now on as I have to be in control of my diet. My health is failing and only a strict diet regimen will get me back into the ball game. So while I am waiting for our kitchen faucet to be fixed, I did some research on the diet regimen for those with a fatty liver.
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is not a disease, but a pathological finding. A more appropriate term is fatty filtration of the liver.
What causes fatty liver?
Fatty liver can be caused by certain chemical compounds, nutritional or endocrine disorders, and by genetic factors. Drugs and chemical compounds that can cause fatty liver include alcohol, tetracycline, methotrexate, valproic acid, cortisone and cortisone-like medications, carbon tetrachloride, and other solvents. Of these, alcohol is by far the most common cause. Liver inflammation may accompany exposure to these toxins and is responsible for the associated symptoms of fever, fatigue and jaundice.
Nutritional causes of fat in the liver include starvation, malnutrition, or obesity. Fat in the liver can also occur with rapid or extreme weight reduction such as might occur following an intestinal or gastric bypass operation for obesity. In some patients with fatty liver the fat is accompanied by inflammation (steatohepatitis), and occasionally the fat and inflammation may lead to scarring of the liver (fibrosis).
The endocrine causes of fatty liver include diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol or triglycerides, and fatty liver of pregnancy. Fatty liver during pregnancy occurs near the end of pregnancy and may result in premature delivery or termination of the pregnancy.
How is fatty liver treated?
Treatment of fatty liver depends on the cause.
Fatty liver due to obesity is best managed with a program of weight reduction, consisting of a nutritious, low fat diet, and exercise. In patients with diabetes, fatty liver is managed with diet and better control of blood sugar. In individuals with elevated cholesterol or triglycerides, diet therapy is prescribed first. Patients not responding to diet, and in those with severe elevations of cholesterol and triglycerides, specific medications to reduce the these levels may be prescribed (e.g., Questran, Colestid, Lopid, Lipitor, Pravachol, Lescol, Zocor, Mevacor). Niacin is generally avoided because of its tendency to cause liver test elevations by itself. Some patients may be treated with dietary supplements. (e.g., lecithin, L-carnitine). L-carnitine may enhance fat metabolism by the liver, whereas lecithin may prevent some of the tissue damage caused when oxygen reacts with fat during routine chemical reactions in the liver (lipid peroxidation).
Since many medications can cause liver test abnormalities, close follow-up with a physician is recommended.
Watch your diet….
In particular, avoid concentrated sweets, saturated fats, and foods high in cholesterol (heart healthy diet). Whenever possible use monosaturated fats (olive oil, canola oil), instead of polyunsaturated fats.
General Fatty Liver Diet Guidelines
* Eat plenty of lean protein: You’ll want to fill your plate with lean meats, beans, soy and seafood.
* Enjoy vegetables: You can eat as many servings of vegetables as you like each day, as long as they are not drenched in butter, oils or dressings. Opt for fresh, local vegetables whenever possible. Aim to eat a salad a day, topped with a moderate amount of a salad dressing made with heart-healthy fats.
* Add in legumes wherever you can: Throw in an extra can of kidney beans into that batch of chili; mix in some beans with your rice. Toss some black beans into that burrito.
* Fill up on whole grains: Enjoy whole grains such as whole grain bread, brown rice and whole wheat pasta. Explore whole grains such as quinoa and bulgur wheat.
* Use fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth: Instead of sugary sauces, treats and processed foods like hostess cakes or donuts, eat fruit as a dessert. Because fruit causes a spike in blood sugar, you -ll want to wean yourself off sugary foods so that fruit becomes your healthy choice for that sweet taste at the end of meal.
* Use oils sparingly and with discretion: Choose only heart-healthy oils such as olive oil, and cook with fats and oils sparingly. Avoid saturated fat completely.
* Avoid alcohol, sugar and high calorie foods: Limit your intake of sweets, junk food, sodas and alcoholic beverages such that they are occasional treats, not everyday indulgences.