How To Prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a health condition in which the liver begins to store an excessive amount of fat. While most cases of NAFLD do not progress to actual liver damage (lesions or sclerosis), the condition does place those who develop it at higher risk for developing diabetes and elevated lipid counts (which includes high cholesterol and triglycerides).

1. Weight loss and weight control can prevent the onset of NAFLD. Excessive weight gain is a major contributing factor to fatty infiltration of the liver. The liver is the largest organ in the body and plays an important role in converting fat, cholesterol, proteins, carbohydrates and glucose from the foods we eat into energy for the cells of the body. With NAFLD, the liver becomes overwhelmed in performing this important function and is unable to continue converting all of the fat being consumed into energy cells. The liver may also begin to convert too much of the glucose and carbohydrates that are consumed into fat rather than into these two energy-producing cells. Carrying extra fat in the body due to excessive weight gain (obesity) increases the amount of fat that accumulates in the liver, contributing to the onset of NAFLD.
2. Increased physical activity and proper exercise can help prevent the development of NAFLD. The body requires activity when the liver provides energy cells that are designed to be burned off like fuel with physical activity. This also helps the body to convert these energy cells into muscle tissue and to maintain muscle mass rather than being converted into fat only. The body is designed to store extra fat to be burned off as energy during times it is not receiving adequate intake of foods that provide a steady supply of energy (fasting and starvation). It will still continue to store extra fat however, even when the body isn't getting the proper amount of exercise to burn off these stored reserves. Over time, more fat is stored in the tissues and organs of the body, including the liver, which becomes abnormally fat-infiltrated due to less demand for energy cells needed when the body is more physically active and receiving proper exercise.
3. A proper diet is a major factor in preventing the development of NAFLD. The body is designed to metabolize a balance of fat, cholesterol, proteins, carbohydrates and glucose from the foods consumed into the proper amount of energy and muscle building cells that are needed. Much of this process is achieved through the function of the liver but an improper diet containing excessively high levels of simple carbohydrates, glucose and fats can cause high levels of fat storage in both the body and liver. Examples of foods containing high levels of these fat-producing cells include candies, pies, cakes, cookies and soft drinks. Proper foods that contain complex carbohydrates that are converted into healthier energy cells and muscle tissue (rather than fat) include fruits, vegetables nuts and grains.
4. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption also helps reduce fat accumulation in the body. Alcohol is converted into a substance called "acetate," which slows down the body's ability to convert fat into energy cells. While "Non-Alcoholic" Fatty Liver Disease is not caused by alcohol consumption, it can contribute to its development and to a less favorable course of the disease (prognosis). Doctors will caution their patients with NAFLD not to drink alcohol or to at least to reduce their consumption of it to a small minimum because of its potentially harmful effects in worsening the disease.

Most cases of NAFLD do not cause symptoms and are found incidentally when patients are blood tested and are found to have elevated liver enzyme counts (cells in the blood that reflect liver function). It is important however, that patients found to have the disease follow the treatment and diet plan recommended by their doctor. Patients with NAFLD who allow the condition to worsen can potentially develop a more serious form of fatty liver called "Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Hepatitis," in which inflammation develops and possible liver damage including lesions and sclerosis ensues.