Fatty liver disease on the rise: How to protect yourself and eat right!

Around a third of adults in Germany suffer from fatty liver disease, officially known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL). This disease is not only common among adults, but also affects children: one in three overweight children also has fatty liver disease. NAFL is considered the most common liver disease in developed countries and occurs more often in men than in women Fulda newspaper reported.

The causes of this disease are diverse: unhealthy diet, genetic factors, lack of exercise, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus play an important role. Another worrying feature is that fatty liver disease is often painless and is often discovered accidentally during ultrasound or blood tests. There are currently no medications to treat NAFL; However, the liver can be regenerated if the causes are eliminated.

Therapy and nutrition for fatty liver disease

According to experts, the only therapy to treat fatty liver disease is lifestyle changes. This includes losing weight, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and not smoking. The diet should be reduced in calories and low in fat. In particular, it is important that diabetics have good blood sugar regulation. Vegetables should form the basis of the diet, supplemented by protein sources and high-quality vegetable oils. Low-sugar fruits are recommended, as they can help detoxify and heal the liver. These include blueberries, clementines, avocado, blackberries, apples, oranges and plums.

However, eating fruits rich in sugar such as grapes, pineapples, bananas and mangoes should be done in moderation. Sugared canned fruits, dried fruits, candied fruits and fruit purees are also unsuitable for liver health. In addition, an incorrect diet can lead to impaired fat breakdown and detoxification function as well as scarring in the liver Eat Smarter explained in detail.

Early detection of fatty liver disease is of great importance. It is recommended to have liver blood values ​​tested regularly, especially for overweight people and diabetics, as these tests are not part of routine examinations. The regression of fatty liver disease depends on the severity of the disease and the elimination of damaging causes; While full recovery may be possible in three to four weeks, it may also take several months to reach healthy levels.