What is Fatty Liver: Symptoms Grades Causes Diet & Treatment

Fatty liver is becoming very common in India

Many people get it detected in routine ultrasound and get scared

But what is fatty liver actually

In simple words extra fat starts storing in your liver cells

Liver is an important organ for digestion and detox

When fat crosses more than five percent of liver weight it is called fatty liver

It is also called hepatic steatosis

Early stage fatty liver has no pain but if ignored it can grow to serious liver damage

What Is Fatty Liver 

Fatty liver means your liver is storing extra fat

Normally liver has some fat but when fat becomes too much liver function gets affected

There are two main types

Alcoholic fatty liver which happens due to excess alcohol

And non alcoholic fatty liver which happens due to poor diet and lifestyle

Today non alcoholic fatty liver is more common even in young people and veg people

It happens due to extra weight and sugar and less physical activity

In starting it looks normal but fat inside liver cells keeps increasing

What Causes Fatty Liver 

Main cause is lifestyle not infection

First cause is being overweight especially belly fat

Second is eating more sugar and fried food and junk food daily

Third is no exercise or sitting for long hours

Fourth is diabetes and insulin resistance

Fifth is high cholesterol and high triglycerides

Sixth is drinking too much alcohol

Some medicines and fast weight loss can also cause fatty liver

Many times people with normal weight also get fatty liver due to poor diet

Fatty Liver Symptoms

In grade one and grade two there are usually no symptoms

That is why it is called silent disease

Most people come to know only in ultrasound

When fat increases you may feel some signs

Feeling tired whole day

Heaviness in right side upper stomach

Bloating after eating

Loss of appetite

Sometimes mild pain in upper right abdomen

If you have these symptoms with weight gain you should check for fatty liver

What Are the Grades of Fatty Liver 

Doctors divide fatty liver into three grades on ultrasound

Grade 1 Fatty Liver

This is mild fatty liver

Small amount of fat in liver

Liver size is normal

No major damage yet

Most people in India have grade one

Grade 2 Fatty Liver

This is moderate fatty liver

More fat accumulation

Liver looks brighter on ultrasound

Inflammation may start at this stage

Grade 3 Fatty Liver

This is severe fatty liver

Heavy fat storage

Liver may become swollen

Risk of fibrosis and liver damage is higher

This stage needs immediate attention

Is Grade 1 Fatty Liver Dangerous 

Grade one fatty liver is not dangerous if you act early

It is fully reversible with diet and exercise

But if you ignore it it will progress to grade two and grade three

Many people think grade one is normal but it is not normal

It is a warning sign from your body

With three to six months of healthy eating and walking it can become normal again

Is Grade 2 Fatty Liver Dangerous 

Grade two needs more attention than grade one

It is not life threatening but it is not safe to ignore

At grade two inflammation starts in liver

If you still eat junk and do not exercise it can move to grade three or fibrosis

Good thing is grade two is also reversible

But you need stricter diet and regular exercise and weight loss of five to ten percent

Fatty Liver Diet What Should You Eat 

Diet is the main treatment for fatty liver

You need to eat foods that reduce fat and inflammation

Eat more fiber like oats brown rice whole wheat dal and vegetables

Eat lean protein like low fat paneer tofu sprouts and dal

Eat healthy fats like one spoon mustard oil or olive oil and small handful peanuts

Eat fruits like papaya apple orange and berries

Drink enough water three liters per day

Green tea without sugar can help

Eat small meals on time do not skip lunch

Best foods for fatty liver are

Leafy green vegetables

Beetroot carrot broccoli

Whole grains

Dal and sprouts

Low fat curd

Lemon water without sugar

Foods to Limit or Avoid With Fatty Liver

Some foods increase liver fat fast

You must limit them

Stop alcohol completely even occasional drinking is harmful

Avoid fried food samosa pakora chips and fast food

Avoid sweets mithai cold drinks and packaged juices

Avoid maida products like white bread burger pizza

Avoid too much ghee and butter and full fat cheese

Avoid red meat and processed meat

Avoid eating late at night

If you eat these daily fatty liver will increase even if you take medicine

Can Fatty Liver Be Reversed 

Yes fatty liver can be reversed especially grade one and grade two

Grade three can also improve but takes more time

Main formula is weight loss

If you lose five to ten percent of your body weight liver fat reduces a lot

For example if you are eighty kg and lose five to eight kg your liver becomes much healthier

Daily walk of forty five minutes and clean diet is enough

No need for costly supplements

Consistency for three to six months gives good results on ultrasound

How Is Fatty Liver Diagnosed

Most common test is ultrasound of whole abdomen

Doctor also asks for blood tests like LFT which shows SGOT SGPT levels

Sometimes Fibroscan is done to check liver stiffness

If LFT is high with fatty liver on ultrasound it means inflammation is there

You should not self diagnose only on symptoms

Always consult doctor for proper tests

When Should You Consult a Doctor or Dietitian

You should meet doctor if

Your ultrasound shows grade two or grade three fatty liver

Your SGOT SGPT levels are high

You feel constant pain in right side stomach

You have diabetes and fatty liver together

You are overweight and not able to lose weight

A dietitian can make a proper fatty liver diet plan as per your weight and routine

Early guidance prevents future liver damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Can thin people get fatty liver ?

Yes many thin people also get fatty liver due to junk food and no exercise and genetics

Is fatty liver curable ?

Yes grade one and grade two fatty liver is fully curable with diet and lifestyle changes

How much time it takes to reverse fatty liver ?

Usually three to six months with regular diet and walk

Can I eat ghee in fatty liver?

One small spoon ghee is okay but avoid too much oil and fried food

Is milk good for fatty liver ?

Low fat milk and curd is okay full cream milk should be avoided

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