Fatty foods and the liver: how to prevent digestive problems?

We all know that fatty food is bad.It causes weight gain, increases the level of harmful cholesterol, atherosclerotic plaques are deposited in the arteries, which over time can lead to a heart attack or stroke.But the harm of fatty food is not only in this - it “hits” and the liver, provoking the development of fatty hepatosis.What is dangerous obesity of the liver, what symptoms are manifested, how to identify and treat it - read in our article.

The liver can be called a real “fat processing station”. A number of important biochemical processes take place in it:

• fat breakdown (lipolysis) and beta-oxidation. Fatty acids from food or your own fat stores enter the liver cells, where they are oxidized in the mitochondria. The acetyl-CoA formed from them is used in the Krebs cycle to produce energy (yes, fatty foods are not without reason considered an excellent source of energy, although they should not be abused);
• synthesis of triglycerides and lipoproteins. Triglycerides are formed from a portion of fatty acids and are transported to peripheral tissues by very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Note: both triglycerides and VLDL are bad fats, but only if they accumulate too much. In moderate amounts, they are beneficial (one might even say “essential”) for the body;
• formation of cholesterol and phospholipids. It is in the liver that cholesterol is synthesized - the “building material” for bile acids and steroid hormones. And phospholipids form cell membranes and ensure the normal functioning of the nervous system. Without them, the cells of the body would have a very difficult time;
• the formation of ketone bodies. If there is a shortage of glucose (for example, against the background of prolonged fasting), the liver begins to convert acetyl-CoA into ketone bodies - an alternative source of energy for the brain and muscles. By the way, it is on this property of the liver that the therapeutic keto diet is based.

As we can see, the liver, fatty foods and synthesis of own lipids are inextricably linked. But if such food becomes too much, the organ has a hard time. At first, the liver works with doubled force, then at the limit of its capabilities, and eventually begins to give up. This leads to a disruption in the regulation of lipid metabolism, which means that fats accumulate in the liver, high levels of lipids in the blood and the appearance of plaques in blood vessels.

Obesity of the liver - causes and consequences

“Fatty liver” is not just a figurative expression, it is a real disease. In medicine, it is called fatty hepatosis, steatohepatosis or fatty liver dystrophy (FLD).

FLD is a very common disease. It occurs when lipids accumulate in hepatocytes (liver cells) - in large quantities. The main risk factors for developing fatty liver dystrophy are:

• General obesity;
• insulin resistance;
• metabolic disorders - metabolic syndrome;
• disorders of cholesterol metabolism with accumulation in the blood of its harmful fractions - triglycerides and low and very low density lipoproteins;
• toxic effects on the liver;
• taking certain medications (tamoxifen, chemotherapy drugs, glucocorticosteroids);
• hereditary metabolic disorders;
• pregnancy (it can develop a special form of the disease - microvesicular steatosis, or fatty hepatosis of pregnant women);
• alcohol abuse.

If fatty dystrophy develops against the background of taking a large amount of alcohol, doctors talk about alcoholic fatty liver disease. If the organ suffers for another reason - establish a diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Long-term steatohepatosis increases the risk of coronary disease and diabetes mellitus, but the function of the liver in this disease usually suffers slightly (with light and moderate fat deposits). But the situation changes radically if fatty dystrophy progresses to steatohepatitis.

In steatohepatitis, functioning liver cells are replaced by “dysfunctional” connective tissue. The more of it that forms, the sooner cirrhosis will occur and the organ will no longer be able to perform its vital functions.

What is the danger of hemangioma of the liver?

Hemangioma of the liver is a benign tumor that consists of a mass of abnormal vessels. It is usually small in size and hardly bothers a person at all. Hemangiomas occur in 1-4% of people and in most cases are detected accidentally during ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity.

But if the tumor reaches 4 cm or more, it can show symptoms of:

• abdominal discomfort;
• a feeling of fullness in the stomach;
• a feeling of rapid satiety;
• anorexia (lack of appetite);
• nausea;
• abdominal pain with vascular thrombosis or hemorrhage.

In newborn children, hemangiomas often disappear on their own (usually by age two). However, with tumors of large size can develop complications - the formation of arterio-venous shunts with the development of heart failure, blood clotting disorders.

Small hemangiomas are usually observed by doctors, while larger ones are removed operatively. Also sometimes minimally invasive intervention - selective embolization of the hepatic artery is used . In rare cases (with very large hemangiomas), a liver transplant may be required.

How does fatty hepatosis manifest itself?

At first, fatty hepatosis may not bother a person in any way, but over time, various complaints begin to appear. The main symptoms of obesity of the liver are:

• decreased appetite;
• slight nausea;
• increased fatigue, general weakness - they are associated with a violation of energy metabolism;
• discomfort in the right subcostal region, a feeling of heaviness - these manifestations are especially common after eating fatty foods.

If fatty hepatosis passes into steatohepatitis, there may be bloating and flatulence, constipation and diarrhea (or their alternation), jaundice of the sclera and skin in violation of bilirubin metabolism, hypersensitivity to alcohol and other toxins.

Over time, fat deposits in the liver lead to its enlargement (hepatomegaly), stretching of the capsule and the appearance of pain in the right subcostal area.

How to reduce the load on the liver and protect it from harmful food?

Proper nutrition for the liver is the easiest and most affordable way to maintain its health. The diet should be balanced in the main macronutrients:

• proteins - they are necessary for the formation of enzymes, regeneration of liver cells, detoxification processes. The daily norm of proteins is 1-1.5 g / kg, their main sources - chicken and turkey, fish, eggs, dairy products (better skimmed);
• lipids - they are useful and harmful depending on the structure. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have hepatoprotective effect, and saturated fats, on the contrary, destroy the liver, causing its fatty degeneration. That is why doctors recommend to rely on sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids - fish, nuts, flaxseed and olive oil, and harmful fatty foods (e.g., fast food, fried and smoked dishes) - ignore;
• Carbohydrates - slow carbohydrates should be favored to make it easier for the liver to control blood glucose levels. Baked goods, carbonated drinks, sweets should be limited, or better - completely refuse such food.

You also need to remember about micronutrients:

• vitamins - they are all necessary for the body, but the most useful for the liver are considered E, C and B vitamins. They improve metabolism, protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress, participate in detoxification processes;
• minerals - magnesium and zinc regulate enzymatic activity and metabolism, reduce the risk of fatty liver disease, improve the detoxification properties of the organ and its ability to regenerate;
• antioxidants and flavonoids - polyphenols, curcumin reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process.

And of course, in the diet must necessarily be present fiber - the basis of proper nutrition for the liver and intestine. It reduces the absorption of fats and cholesterol in the intestine, thereby reducing the load on the liver and preventing the development of fatty dystrophy.

Different types of fiber are beneficial for the body (and the liver in particular):

• soluble (oatmeal, legumes, apples) - reduces cholesterol and lipid levels in the blood;
• insoluble (bran, nuts, vegetables) - speeds up the passage of food through the intestine, reducing the absorption of lipids and protecting the liver from “fat overload”.

Best diet for the liver

Doctors say that the best diet is a healthy and balanced diet. However, there are foods that are most beneficial for the liver (in terms of preventing NAFLD):

• fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids - for example, sardines and mackerel, herring, salmon, trout;
• vegetable oils - olive oil and others;
• unsweetened fruits - green pears and apples, berries (blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, blueberries);
• green vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, arugula, kale, spinach), carrots, onions and garlic, beets, artichokes, avocados;
• whole-grain foods rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber - brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain bread;
• legumes - beans, lentils, chickpeas;
• seeds and nuts - almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, flax seeds and chia seeds;
• tea - green tea, oolong tea (it is rich in polyphenols, which help to reduce fat stores in the liver).

What NOT to eat in case of fatty liver dystrophy or high risk of its development (healthy people should not abuse such products either):

• fast food;
• smoked meats;
• sweets, pastries, confectionery;
• fried food;
• various sausages, sausages and other processed meats;
• foods high in solid saturated fats.

Sour cream, cream, cheese, butter, fatty milk and other sources of saturated fats should be replaced with non-fat products. But since it is impossible to leave the body without lipids, vegetable oils, sea fish, nuts and other “useful things” should be introduced into the diet.

Can fatty hepatosis be cured?

“How to restore the liver in fatty dystrophy?” - is one of the popular questions on the Internet. Given the prevalence of this pathology, such interest is not at all surprising. But since steatohepatosis is a fatty degeneration of liver tissue, it is unlikely to return it to its normal structure. However, to slow down the pathological process and reduce the “fat reserves” in this organ is within everyone's power.

Treatment of fatty hepatosis always begins with proper (and if necessary, and low-calorie) diet, but never limited to it. The diet should be supplemented with physical activity, because hypodynamia leads to obesity not only of the body, but also of the liver.

Very often in gastroenterology are used hepatoprotectors, which include phospholipids of soybeans - for example, Essenciale Max. Unlike the usual Essenciale Forte, this preparation contains double dosage of essential phospholipids - 600 mg in one capsule. Essenciale Max is used to protect and restore the liver in its inflammation (various hepatitis), exposure to toxins, as well as poor nutrition.

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When should I see a doctor?

The liver is a very important organ. If you can't live without an arm or a leg, you can't live without the liver. That's why you should take care of its health especially carefully and consult a doctor at any suspicious symptoms - for example, heaviness or pain in the right subcostal area.

And if there is jaundice of the sclerae or skin, blood began to clot worse, swollen legs - you need to seek medical help as soon as possible. Especially if we are talking about people from risk groups (alcohol abusers, with concomitant obesity or previously detected fatty liver disease, hepatitis in the past).

With regard to the “preventive” passing of tests, the opinions of doctors are divided. Some believe that as long as nothing bothers you, you do not need to be examined; others believe that after the age of 40, at least once a year you should take a general clinical and biochemical blood tests (liver tests). Given the wiped out clinical picture of fatty hepatosis, such a check-up of the liver is quite reasonable.

If the results of the tests reveal abnormalities - ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, including the liver. A more detailed examination is carried out when hemangioma is detected (according to ultrasound). In this situation, the doctor may recommend CT or MRI to determine the tactics of its treatment.

As for the prevention of liver disease, doctors are unanimous: proper nutrition, an active lifestyle and avoid alcohol - the best way to prevent fatty hepatosis, steatohepatitis and even cirrhosis.

We wish you good health, perfect liver and excellent digestion!