Better diet can reverse symptoms of a fatty liver

Fatty liver disease is an apt description for an ever-increasing problem in our Western society.

The liver cells become invaded by fat — big globules of yellowy-white fat that can easily be seen on an ultrasound.

When they are full of fat, the cells become inflamed and hard, and can no longer act like normal liver cells, whose most important functions include detoxification.

Everything we eat, drink and breathe passes through the liver at some stage to ensure that any toxic materials are removed from the body.

With FLD, we become more toxic.

FLD was once associated mainly with alcoholism. Certainly, the more alcohol we consume, the more fat is deposited in our livers.

These days, the bigger problem emerging is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is not linked to how much alcohol we consume but it is associated with being overweight and obese.

Thirty per cent of Australians have NAFLD, and this will continue to rise as our rates of obesity rise.

Let’s do a quick check in on the health of your liver — do you experience the following symptoms regularly?

• Low energy.

• Poor appetite.

• Feeling nauseous.

• Flatulence (more than normal).

• Mental confusion, irritation and poor judgment.

• Patchy dark skin, usually in the neck or under arms.

You may also have other metabolic markers, such as:

• High blood pressure.

• Raised cholesterol.

• Raised blood sugar levels.

• Extra flab around your belly.

The good news is that fatty liver disease is reversible.

Stop eating starchy carbohydrates and sugar — the over-consumption of these led to the problem in the first place. These foods are quickly converted to fat and stored in the liver.

Get moving — exercise burns the stored fat in the liver.

Help liver cells — selenium, vitamin A, cysteine, taurine and choline all are required for proper liver cell function.

Clean the liver — herbs such as St Mary’s thistle, dandelion and turmeric exert powerful liver-cleaning and protecting effects.

Eat (or drink) plenty of raw beetroot, lemon and leafy greens.