There are a lot of health conditions that can make life quite complicated, but there are very few that go as unnoticed as fatty liver does. It is one of the most common illnesses that no one talks about as it is less flashy than the other common killers like diabetes or alcohol related cirrhosis, but it does not make it any less deadly.
While this condition is not exactly unknown to medical personnel, for many years it has not been taken as seriously as it should be by the general public, but this is starting to change given the fact that the National University Hospital of Singapore conducted a study in 2022 that concluded that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the leading causes of liver disease worldwide.
The increase in cases has been steep, in studies conducted before 2005 the percentage of people suffering from the disease was 26% and in research form 2016 onwards cases have climbed to about 38% per year. Currently, it is estimated that 32% of adults worldwide suffer from NAFLD and that if current trends are not controlled it will continue to rise. In the same 2022 study specialists noted that the estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 people.
The main symptoms of fatty liver and what to watch for in our diet to prevent the disease from happening
The main problem with this fatty liver disease is that early stages have little to know symptoms, and that when they begin to appear these are quite vague and can be attributed to a lot of other common conditions, which make early diagnosis hard.
Some patients that have the illness have stated that they felt tired and felt discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen as early warning signs, but these are not conclusive symptoms and can correspond with a few different illnesses. More advanced signs have been noted, this time by medical professionals while seeking a diagnosis, inflammation and damage to liver cells, which increases the risk of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
The best course of action continues to be prevention since the condition is so unpredictable and hard to diagnose. The Foundation for the Study of Viral Hepatitis strongly recommends a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, which is essential for a healthy liver and can help if not prevent the condition altogether, reduce risks and mitigate the effects of fatty liver. Conversely, they also recommend avoiding the intake of saturated fats, processed foods, alcohol, and refined sugars, incorporating instead some healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocado.
If natural remedies are more your speed, in order to prevent fatty liver from occurring the Mayo Clinic has a list of things that could be helpful to support your liver function. These are not substitutes for medication, especially if you have the condition already, but they can certainly help. The main suggestions are ginger and lemon tea or oatmeal water with cinnamon for better detoxification and reduced inflammation, although you should always consult with your doctor in case one of this concoctions is not appropriate for your specific course of treatment.
Other natural remedies that can help, again with the approval of your doctor, who will always know what is best in terms of your specific needs and care, you can also try consuming lemon balm, a plant native to the Mediterranean Sea with properties that benefit the body. It contains rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are two key factors in the development of fatty liver.