In her book, Fatty Liver Diet Guide, senior liver nurse Dorothy Spencer states, “In fact, there is little difference between the normal diet of healthy people and fatty liver patients. The main point is to reduce the fat content and encourage the body to use the calories entirely for energy, so that there is no excessive storage of fat and carbohydrates. She goes on to emphasize the importance of regulation, balance and inclusion of all food groups through a highly nutritious diet.
The best eating plan to reduce fatty liver varies from patient to patient. Many factors are involved in fatty liver disease (FLD) and the underlying causes of the problem must be identified before proper nutritional advice can be given.
FLD is generally divided into two types: alcoholic (AFL) and non-alcoholic (NAFLD). Alcoholic fatty liver has one main cause: excessive alcohol consumption.
The ethanol found in alcoholic beverages contributes to excess fat accumulation in the liver because it blocks the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver and inhibits the release of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) into the bloodstream, which are responsible for transporting fatty acids to the liver Liver. When more fat enters the liver than comes out, accumulation and storage of fat occurs. AFL can generally be reversed by removing alcohol from the diet.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a more complex disease. NAFLD can be caused by a variety of things, including but not limited to a high-fat diet, obesity, type 2 diabetes (diabetes milletus), hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic disorders. Diet changes and weight loss are the best ways to fight and reverse NAFLD.
Here are some of the do’s and don’ts when making changes that include a fatty liver diet plan aimed at reducing excess liver fat into your lifestyle.
- Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals, especially those rich in B-complex vitamins, folate (folic acid), manganese, selenium, and sulfur
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid overeating
- Avoid eating high-fat foods, especially those high in saturated fats
- Do not consume alcohol and/or high-sugar beverages such as energy drinks and sodas
- Exercise regularly to gradually lose weight instead of looking for a “lose it all at once” solution
- Don’t eat large amounts of dark meat or fried foods
- Eat lean white meat like chicken or turkey
- Eat vegetables daily, especially greens and leaves
- Eat fruit every day, especially citrus fruits high in vitamin C
- Eat complex carbohydrates like those found in brown rice and whole grains
- Don’t eat simple carbohydrates like those found in sweets and desserts
- Eat high-fiber foods
Thanks to D. J. Atterson
