The Importance of Good Nutrition For a Healthy Liver

There is a condition that is an accumulation of fat cells in the liver which is known as steatosis, commonly referred to as fatty liver. This condition is present in alcoholics and non-alcoholics, and if not properly treated, can lead to a type of cancer of the liver known as hepatocellular carcinoma, which can be found in approximately 10-24% of the public. In fact, as much as ten percent of patients with fatty liver will develop the disease.

Fatty liver can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and is often discovered during screening for other conditions. There are a number of possible causes of fatty liver, including:

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- Improper transfer of fat from one part of the body to another

- Increased extraction of fat going from the intestine to the liver

- Slowing of the process of the liver breaking down fat and removing it from the body

- Sometimes occurs during pregnancy

- High doses of tetracycline

- Valproic acid toxicity

Risk Factors for Fatty Liver

There are a number of risk factors for fatty liver, some of which can be avoided, such as obesity and starvation. Other risk factors for fatty liver include irritable bowel syndrome, hepatitis C, diabetes, poisons, corticosteroids, Cushings syndrome and hyperlipidemia, which is caused by high levels of fat in the blood. Fatty liver is actually one of the most common causes of isolated liver enzymes, and in order to properly diagnose fatty liver, a liver biopsy must be performed.

A Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet is Essential

A healthy diet is essential to combat fatty liver because the liver, which is the second heaviest organ in the body next to the skin, distributes nutrients from food to our bodies, deciding which are toxic and which are not, which nutrients to use as energy and which should be stored as fat. The liver works pretty much as hard as the heart does, and the poorer the diet, the harder the liver must work to ensure that the proper nutrients are getting to the proper places. When the liver works this hard, it can become overstressed, which can lead to fatty liver.

There are three essential nutrients that the body depends on to remain strong and healthy: carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Carbohydrates

The body gets its energy mainly from carbohydrates, and contrary to popular belief, we do need at least 50% of our diets to consist of carbohydrates. Even though most of the body can use other nutrients for energy, the only one that the brain is able to use is carbohydrates, which can either be simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are the ones that you want to avoid, or at least have in small amounts. These are more easily digested, therefore, they cause significant spikes in blood glucose levels. The best carbohydrates to have in a healthy diet are complex carbohydrates, which can be found in whole grain foods such as whole grain bread and crackers.

Fats

Fatty liver is not a condition that is typically cause by having too much fat in the diet. Fats are necessary for survival, and it is important to include the right fats in a well-balanced diet. Too much fat in the diet can lead to obesity, which is a definite risk factor for fatty liver. But if you are considering going on a low-fat diet, remember that being underweight is also a risk factor. This is why it is important for your diet to be well-balanced, with all of the proper amounts of the macronutrients that the body needs. Excellent dietary sources of fat include fatty fish such as salmon, olives and olive oil and nuts.

Proteins

This is a macronutrient that the body needs in order to survive. Protein plays a vital role in tissue and muscle growth, recovery and regeneration, and affects every cell in the body. There are two dietary sources of protein, plants and animals, with animal and soy being the best sources, providing all 22 essential and non-essential amino acids. According to the American Heart Association, most diets should be around 35% protein. In addition to being necessary, protein helps dieters as it makes one feel fuller than other nutrients, thereby resulting in eating less.

Types of Protein Supplements

There are a number of terrific protein supplements available that will give you the protein, along with many other important vitamins and nutrients, that you need for energy and good health. Some of the more popular types of protein supplements include:

Protein Powders

These are available unflavored, and can be added to most of your favorite recipes. They are also available in a number of delicious flavors and can be used to make great-tasting shakes, smoothies and slushies. Protein powders are usually made from whey, casein, soy and rice proteins, which are all considered to be complete proteins.

Liquid Proteins

These can be found in delicious flavors and are often ready-to-drink. Many liquid proteins are made with whey or casein proteins, both milk derivatives, so those who are allergic to milk and milk products or are lactose intolerant should try soy, rice or egg proteins instead. Read the ingredients carefully to make sure that you are getting a product that will be good for your health. If you are unsure, speak with your physician.

Protein Bars and Snacks

There are a number of delicious protein bars and other snacks available that are ideal for mid-morning and afternoon snacks. They provide the protein you need, which will give you the energy you need to get through the day, and many are low in fat and calories so they are great for diets.

Another terrific protein supplement is Profect, from Protica. This little drink that is less than three ounces really packs a protein punch, with 25 grams of protein per serving. It is low in calories (only 100 per serving), and is also low in carbohydrates and fats. This is a great supplement for dieters who want to get their protein without the fat and calories.

The Importance of Good Nutrition For a Healthy Liver

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Fatty Liver and the Need For Good Nutrition

Medically known as steatosis, fatty liver is an accumulation of fat cells in the liver which can be caused by many factors. There are many types of fatty liver, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Each type of fatty liver is typically asymptomatic and is usually found in the course of normal or routine blood screenings or in the course of ruling out another disease or condition. It is thought that fatty liver sometimes occurs as a result of a faulty fat transfer from one part of the body to another, but may also be caused by increased fat extraction of fat presented to the liver from the intestine. Another cause for fatty liver is a decrease in the rate at which the liver breaks down and removes fat from the system.

Known risk factors for fatty liver includes obesity, starvation, diabetes, corticosteroids, poisons, Cushings Syndrome, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood), hepatitis C and irritable bowel syndrome. Microvescular Fatty Liver can be caused by valproic acid toxicity, high doses of tetracycline and occasionally during pregnancy. The liver is typically enlarged with a minor elevation of liver enzyme tests. Fatty liver is one of the most common causes of isolated elevated liver enzymes. The disease might be suggested by ultrasound, CT or MRI, however a liver biopsy is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis of fatty liver.

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Treatment for fatty liver may not be needed in mild cases, however for some forms of fatty liver eliminating alcohol, controlling blood sugar and careful weight loss may be suggested. It is very important that fatty liver be carefully monitored, no matter the type or the cause. Up to ten percent of those with cirrhotic fatty liver will convert to a type of liver cancer called hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease is seen in around 10-24% of the general public, worldwide, however it is seen in up to 75% of the obese (Source: Health Scout).

Why Fat is Not the Enemy

Fatty liver is not typically caused simply by eating high fat foods or a high fat diet, however obesity is a major risk factor. On the other side of the coin, starvation is also a cause of fatty liver. Dieting should be done in a healthy and sensible way if weight is to be lost, with no crash or fad diets that can lead the body to either slow or stop the metabolism. Starvation diets are never the answer, and because it can lead to fatty liver, are definitely not healthy.

Fat is necessary in the diet, however, how much is needed will depend on your personal dietary needs. A dietician or doctor will tell you how many calories that you should eat and how much of each nutrient that you need.

Healthy Diets Make Healthy Livers

The liver is the second heaviest organ in the body and plays a major role in the process of digestion. Your liver is the organ that decides which nutrients are needed, which are not; what is toxic and what is not and what to use as energy and what to store as fat. The harder the liver has to work to detoxify and eliminate what it deems to be harmful or unnecessary, the less effective it will eventually become. The danger of having an overstressed liver is not only fatty liver, but the possibility of eventual liver cancer. A better diet, one that includes all of the right nutrients can lead to less stress in the body as well as better overall health.

A good diet includes carbohydrates, fat and proteins in the right amount and of the right type.

Carbohydrates -- Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for the body. Most of the body can adapt to other energy sources (fats or proteins) but the brain cannot. (The testes must also have energy from carbohydrates alone) (Source: Roizen and Oz 2006). Carbohydrates are either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are those that are made from white sugar and flour and are very easily digested in the body. Unfortunately, these carbs cause the blood sugar to rise very quickly. In response, the liver sends messages to the pancreas that will in turn flood the body with insulin. Most of these simple carbs will then be stored as fat in the body instead of being burned as energy. Quickly, the body will feel that it needs energy and will send out the hunger signal again, setting you up for a vicious cycle that can lead to obesity and possibly, fatty liver.

Complex carbohydrates, like the ones in whole grain foods do not cause this rapid blood sugar spike and are broken down much more slowly. Because there is no sugar spike, the complex carbs are used by the body more efficiently.

Fats -- Fat is necessary in the body, and is the second line of energy, however it is more easily broken down than carbohydrates. Bad fats are those that are solid at room temperature and/or contain the word "hydrogenated". Good fats are those that have omega 3 fatty acids which is good for heart health. Olive oils, avocados and nuts are good sources for healthy fats.

Protein -- Protein is needed by every cell in the body and in most of the major functions. It comes from two sources: plants and animals. All animal protein and soy protein are complete in that they supply all of the essential amino acids. There are 20 amino acids; the body can manufacture all but eight of these. Protein should make up around 20-30% of the diet, however, the American Heart Association cautions that diets that are higher than 35% protein are not safe.

Protein is beneficial in the diet because it leads to feelings of satiety so that you can eat far less without feeling that you are overly hungry. Protein helps to build and repair connective and contractive tissue, meaning more lean muscle mass. Muscles burn more energy simply by existing, kicking your metabolism into gear and keeping you burning fat around the clock.

Protein Supplements -- There are several different kinds of protein supplements that can be added to the healthy diet.

There are other types of protein supplements as well- including powders (whey, rice, eggs and soy) and bars.

Fatty Liver and the Need For Good Nutrition

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Genetic (DNA) Basis For Insulin Resistance, Diabetes - Treated With Specific Nutrition?

Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2 develop when there is an imbalance between conditions that promote excessive fatty acid synthesis combined with deficient fatty acid oxidation. The conditions mentioned are such things as dietary, genetic, hormonal, and exercise related areas. Of most concern in this paper, is the influence that genetic modifications may have on fatty acid metabolism. Much research has been done in this area, especially on the mouse, whose genome is considerably similar to the human genome. Through the study of the mouse genome, advances in human health, in the way of better insulin sensitivity, can be realized.

There are two main mouse models that illustrate which genes are involved most in fatty acid metabolism. The first model deals with mouse mutants used to study excessive and deficient fatty acid synthesis and oxidation. In regards to fatty acid/triacylgylcerol synthesis, sterol-response element binding protein over-expression can cause trigger an excess in these compounds. If one carries the diacylglycerol transferase -/- gene or the short-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase -/- gene, deficient level of fatty acid synthesis will occur. In regards to fatty acid oxidation, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 2 -/- gene or peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gene over-expression can result in a very high oxidation rate of fatty acids from the blood stream. If very longchain coenzyme A dehydrogenase -/- gene or long-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase -/- gene are part of one's genome, fatty acid oxidation in the body will be deficient.

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The second model deals with genetic manipulation of fatty acid metabolism. A wide range of manipulations have been performed and studied with varied phenotypic changes inflicted upon the mouses' body. For instance, targeting the null allele of Dgat or Acc-2 will result in the mouse being lean and resistant to obesity. This means that no matter what the mouse is fed, it will not gain a considerable amount of adipose tissue. On the other hand, targeting the null allele of Ppar will result in hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, decreased expression of fatty acid oxidation genes, and cold intolerance. These negative phenotypic changes in the mouse genetically predestine it to become obese.

Through the use of such models described above, researchers have been able to key in on the exact genes which can cause someone to have a propensity for insulin resistance, diabetes type 2, and obesity. But how can one relate nutritional considerations to genetic makeup? If someone has a certain defect/variant of one of the known causes for a negative phenotype, how can individualized nutrition help to blunt the effects of one's genotype.

It has been found that diets high in simple carbohydrates and low in fat are a huge risk factor in priming the body to make more fatty acids and not oxidize enough of them. The reasoning behind this is that this type of diet will drive insulin levels through the roof, causing the body to produce excess fatty acids. An even worse diet, which would be catastrophic for someone with an already unfavorable genotype, is the high carbohydrate and high fat diet. This diet not only spikes insulin levels up, it also provides excess fat to be stored by the body. So, if a person's genetic makeup favors fatty acid synthesis, then a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet would increase the risk of developing insulin-resistance and diabetes mellitus type 2.

The control of insulin, through diet-mediated considerations, is paramount in protecting an already flawed genetic makeup. Insulin can be controlled by eating a diet that consists of higher protein and fat levels and lower carbohydrate levels. The carbohydrates consumed should not be high on the glycemic index, for this will drive insulin levels up.

Overall, the article keys in on the genetic factors that affect insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the first step in a whole host of other problems, such as diabetes type 2 and obesity. Through the study of specific gene loci, genetic variations in such, and nutrigenomics, researchers have been able to acquire advanced knowledge about the prevention of insulin resistance. It was found that diets lower in carbohydrates and higher in fat/protein, for individuals with unfavorable genetic makeups are best for keeping insulin in an acceptable range. It is important to note that there are genetic variants in certain genes, such as the DGAT-1 -/-, which promote better health and give these people an advantage. When discussing such matters as personalized medicine, it will be interesting to see what certain people will do when they find out that they have a genetic makeup that allows them to eat anything they want, without having to worry about future medical conditions due to their poor choices of food.

-Wood, Philip. "Genetically modified mouse models for disorders of fatty acid metabolism: pursuing the nutrigenomics of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes." Nutrition. Volume 20, Jan 2004, pgs. 121-126.

Genetic (DNA) Basis For Insulin Resistance, Diabetes - Treated With Specific Nutrition?

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