Liver Specialist Warns of Alarming Fatty Liver Epidemic In India. What Are Causes And How To Prevent It? – News18
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According to Dr SK Sarin, to prevent fatty liver disease, you should steer clear of foods that cause inflammation, such as pizza, burgers, fast food, junk food, and red meat
If someone in your immediate family has fatty liver, you are at a higher risk. Obesity is another major risk factor. (News18 Hindi)
One in the people in India suffers from fatty liver disease, renowned liver specialist Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin has warned citing a research. The situation is reportedly more alarming in Delhi, where one in every two people has a fatty liver.
People are often unaware of this condition and tend to ignore it. However, as fatty liver worsens, it can cause significant health issues, weakening the entire body. Fatty liver leads to insulin resistance, which can result in diabetes and obesity. Dr Sarin describes fatty liver disease as a “fire alarm” for health, signalling that it’s time to take action before the situation worsens.
What Leads To A Fatty Liver?
In an interview with ANI, Dr Sarin explained that when we eat, the body processes fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients. These nutrients are then transported to the liver, which converts them into energy. Any excess is converted into hormones and enzymes, and the remaining energy is stored in muscles. However, when energy remains in the form of fat, it accumulates in the liver. If this fat accumulation becomes excessive, it leads to fatty liver disease.
This extra fat causes damage to the liver, which can eventually result in cirrhosis or even liver cancer. The primary cause of this condition is the consumption of excessive calories. When calorie intake exceeds the body’s energy expenditure, fat begins to form and accumulate in the liver, becoming a serious health risk.
How to Identify Fatty Liver Disease?
Dr Sarin states that when excess calories are consumed, fat begins to deposit and accumulate in the liver. If the liver contains more than 5% fat by weight, fatty liver begins building. A fat content exceeding 10% leads to fatty liver disease. More than 30% fat is classified as Grade 2 fatty liver disease, and over 50% fat indicates advanced-stage fatty liver disease. At this stage, the liver begins to develop wounds and becomes damaged, which can eventually lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The condition is not noticeable externally, but over time, the liver hardens, and fibrosis may develop. Doctors can prescribe tests to determine the stage of fatty liver disease.
Who is at Higher Risk?
Although one in three people is affected by fatty liver disease, anyone can develop it. There are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing this condition. If someone in your immediate family has fatty liver, you are at a higher risk. Obesity is another major risk factor. People with a BMI between 23 and 25 are at increased risk, while those with a BMI over 25 are highly likely to have fatty liver.
Additionally, individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol are at the highest risk for developing fatty liver disease. Such individuals should undergo regular liver checks and take the necessary preventive measures.
What to Do If You Have Fatty Liver?
Dr Sarin advises that the first step towards managing fatty liver is controlling your diet. He recommends avoiding processed foods, which include items that undergo multiple industrial processes, such as packaged pastries, biscuits, chocolates, and other long-lasting items made with refined flour and sugar. These are particularly harmful.
According to Dr Sarin, to prevent fatty liver disease, you should steer clear of foods that cause inflammation, such as pizza, burgers, fast food, junk food, and red meat. Refined foods like chips, cookies, and pastries should also be avoided. Alcohol is another dangerous processed food that causes inflammation.
Instead, opt for home-cooked meals made from natural ingredients. Incorporate green leafy vegetables, spinach, cabbage, capsicum, fish, sweet potatoes, fresh fruits, strawberries, blueberries, whole grains, seeds, nuts, almonds, and walnuts into your daily diet.
Dr Sarin stresses that exercise must make you sweat in order to be beneficial. For example, walking without sweating has no health benefits. Focus on doing intense physical activity that makes you sweat to see positive results.
