Image: EE
In the new “Healthy & Happy” Podcast episode, Thomas Bamberger explains how we protect our liver-and why the fatty liver is not just an alcohol problem. Obesity, lack of exercise and nutrition are increasingly leading to fatty liver in children and adolescents.
What tasks does the liver have in the body?
Bamberger: The liver is our central detoxification organ. It reduces poisons, produces bile acids, controls our metabolism and produces many blood coagulation factors. Overall, it is immensely important for our health, but it usually stays silent until it is seriously ill.
How often is the fatty liver and who affects it?
The fatty liver is a real common disease, around 250 million people are affected worldwide. It often correlates with obesity, but they can also get normal -weighted people. Children and adolescents are increasingly affected.
How do I recognize a fatty liver?
Unfortunately, you often notice little of it yourself. Fatigue and a feeling of tension may occur in the right upper abdomen. With yellowish skin color, it can already be severe liver disease such as cirrhosis.
What are the most important risk factors and causes of the fatty liver?
Overeating, too much fat and sugar, lack of movement and, above all, industrially processed foods play a major role. Genetic factors and, rare, medication or hormonal influences can also be the cause.
How do alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver differ?
They hardly differ optically. The distinction is made via the amount of alcohol: in men over 30 grams (women 20g) daily, problematic alcohol consumption can be assumed. If consumption exceeds certain thresholds, one speaks of an alcoholic fatty liver.
How can you effectively prevent the fatty liver?
The most important thing is a healthy lifestyle – sufficient movement, sport and a balanced, Mediterranean diet. This allows you to significantly reduce the risk, preferably start with it in childhood.
Are there any differences between men and women?
The fatty liver is evenly distributed. Men have more frequent alcohol abuse, while in women, pregnancy-related special forms can also occur. Basically, however, both genders are affected.
What role do genetics and hormones play?
Genetics is an important risk factor, even slim people can be affected if they are genetically contaminated. Hormones play a subordinate role.
What do increased liver values say?
First of all, increased liver values should be further clarified by a doctor-for example by scores such as the FIP4 score, ultrasound or liver tire measurement. In rare cases, a liver biopsy is also necessary, but mostly the imaging is sufficient.
What therapy options are there with a diagnosed fatty liver?
The foundation of every therapy is lifestyle change – weight loss, more exercise, healthy nutrition. And the effect of this weight loss is really great because it is not just about the figure, but it has already been proven that the risk of dementia, heart attack and kidney disease is also lower. New drugs are now supported that can help you lose weight, such as the so -called “weight loss injection”. A lot is happening here, also in research and in the approval of new medication.
Can the liver really recover?
Yes, the liver has an amazing regeneration ability. Even moderate weight loss can improve the fatty liver, further decrease in the inflammation and – in the early stages – even refer to scarring. This is usually no longer possible with cirrhosis.
Which diet harms or protects the liver?
Plant oils such as olive or fish oil are good. Little saturated fatty acids, less industrially added fruit sugar – sweetened drinks in particular are problematic. Coffee consumption (about three cups a day), on the other hand, even has a protective effect on the liver.
Image: EE
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Image: EE
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