Diet for Fatty Liver

If findings in a study by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston are confirmed in humans, it may mean that a diet for fatty liver can treat or even prevent the disease.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver disease encompasses a number of conditions, but nonalcoholic fatty liver is the most common liver disease in the United States. The two stages of fatty liver disease are diagnosed by a biopsy and checking a liver sample:

• Fatty liver – Fat deposits in liver cells; a benign condition. Does not have the potential to lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
• NASH - Fatty liver advances to inflammation and scarring of the liver; has potential to cause cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Fatty liver is most often without symptoms, however it increases the risk for liver inflammation, which can develop into hepatitis and, in some situation can result in liver failure.

Food Link to Fatty Liver

According to the Boston Children's Hospital study, fatty liver disease may be treatable through dietary changes. While these results are still unconfirmed in humans the following results link diet and fatty liver:

High-glycemic Foods

High-glycemic foods raise blood sugar fast, and are linked to contributing to fatty liver. High-glycemic foods include:

• White bread
• White rice
• Most prepared breakfast cereals
• Concentrated sugar

In the study, mice on the high-glycemic diet showed twice as much fat in their bodies, blood and livers as mice fed an identical number of calories, fat and protein but which were fed a low-glycemic diet.

Low-glycemic Foods

Low-glycemic foods which low blood sugar slowly include:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Beans and unprocessed grains are examples

Future Research

Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program of Children's Hospital Boston believes there is a strong argument that a high-glycemic index diet causes fatty liver in humans while a low-glycemic diet prevents fatty liver. Dr. Ludwig is currently leading a group of researchers involved in a clinical trial designed to study whether a low-glycemic index diet can reverse fatty liver in overweight children.

The standard treatment recommended for fatty liver is currently eating a low-fat diet. However, Dr. Ludwig points out that many children with fatty liver don't respond to a low fat diet and that he believes it is a misconception to believe that fat eaten goes into the liver.

Diet for Fatty Liver

The most effective diet for fatty liver should be:

• High in fiber
• Low in calories
• Low in saturated fat
• Total fat of no more than 30 percent of total calories.

Don't be overly anxious to lose weight fast because rapid weight loss could lead to worsening the disease. Instead, take it slow and try to lose 10 percent of your body weight over six months as you cleanse your liver.

Other Influences

Diabetes Control

Controlling diabetes with diet, medications or insulin lowers blood sugar and can reduce the amount of accumulated fat in your liver and may even prevent further liver damage.

Cholesterol Control

Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can be controlled through diet, exercise and medications. Keeping your cholesterol in check may also help to stabilize or reverse fatty liver disease.

Alcohol and Medications that Cause Liver Damage

If you have fatty liver, especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis abstain from drinking alcohol. You'll also need to check with your doctor and read labels so as to avoid any medications or other substances that have been attributed to causing liver damage. Be sure to ask your doctor about which drugs to avoid including over-the-counter medications.

Where to Start

If you've learned that you have fatty liver and your body mass index is above 25, a healthy diet and daily exercise may potentially:

• Reduce inflammation
• Lower elevated levels of liver enzymes
• Decrease insulin resistance
• Reduce the amount of accumulated fat in your liver

The first step is to talk to your doctor about your diet and to incorporate exercise into your daily life.

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