One third of all Americans suffer from fatty liver. But what is this disease? Is it serious? And is it treatable? I'll try to answer these questions in this small article.
What is fatty liver disease?
STEATOSIS
Fatty liver disease, known as steatosis, is the accumulation of fat inside liver cell. That fat comes from your bloodstream and is taken up by the liver, who is responsible for converting it to sugar or sending it toward fat cells. However, if the liver can't handle all the fat it gets (whether because you eat too much or because it is already overloaded with other tasks), it piles up and takes up resources, further reducing the liver's ability to destroy fat.
Is fatty liver a serious condition?
In one word, yes. Steatosis itself causes a serious of mild symptoms, like bad breath, circles under the eyes, and headaches. Because the liver is responsible for burning fat, an ill liver causes obesity (and hard to get rid of obesity). But all these are nothing compared to its natural evolution - if you don't reverse this disease, liver cells start dying. When they die they are replaced by fibrotic tissue which does not work, a condition known as cirrhosis.
In both situations, but more in cirrhosis, the liver can't get rid of toxic substances, which get float in your body causing brain and heart damage. Fatty liver has also been linked with an increased rate of liver cancer, which is very lethal.
Is fatty liver treatable?
Yes. Almost all stages of liver disease (including steatosis and cirrhosis) are reversible. Your liver has an incredible capacity to regenerate and when you start giving it cues to do so and provide a healthy environment it can easily burn the fat inside its cells and even replace fibrotic tissue by liver tissue. In turn, this will cause weight loss and will get rid of toxic substances, which can lead to reducing or annihilation of diseases such as rashes and certain allergies.
Answering Common Questions About Fatty Liver STEATOSIS
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