HEALTH
atty liver disease is a
common chronic illness,
affecting around 25% to
30% of all adults in the
United States and Europe,
as well as one in every 10
adolescents. While it is
normal to have some fat
on the liver, fatty liver
disease (FLD) is caused by an unhealthy build-up.
The disease develops when the body struggles to
metabolise and break down fat fast enough; the
excess fat then accumulates in the liver’s cells and
this results in FLD.
What’s scariest about FLD is how
often it goes undetected – most people
show few to no symptoms other than
fatigue or slight discomfort in their
upper abdominal region. Sometimes
they might experience mild jaundice
too, but the disease is usually only
diagnosed through blood tests.
Despite the mild symptoms, the risks
are still notable: there’s an increased
risk of developing liver cancer, type 2
diabetes, cardiovascular disease or even
cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver).
If advanced enough, cirrhosis can be
life-threatening.
In the past, FLD was thought to
be a result of alcoholism but, with
the rising rate of obesity worldwide, non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly
prevalent. Previous approaches to treating NAFLD
were simply to exercise, watch your calories,
shed some kilos and maintain a healthy diet. But
according to a research team from the University
of Gothenburg in Sweden, treating FLD may have
nothing to do with your calorie intake.
Although nobody would disagree that sticking
to a healthy diet and exercise routine is a vital
part of maintaining your health (not just when it
comes to avoiding FLD), doctors found that this
recommended treatment simply wasn’t enough
to reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver
tissue. The Swedish research team, however, has
revolutionised the way we think about FLD. Lead
author of the study and professor at the University
of Gothenburg Jan Boren said: ‘We found that theVOLUME 30 LOSE IT! 19
[low-carb] diet, independently of weight loss,
induced rapid and dramatic reductions of liver fat
and other cardiometabolic risk factors.’ In other
words, just by primarily focusing on cutting out
carbs and sugar by following an LCHF approach,
participants experienced life-changing results and
discovered renewed hope for this chronic disease.
Researchers did not cut down the calories of
their participants – they continued to eat the
same number of calories, but traded carbs for
protein. Within two weeks, the liver’s metabolism
had transformed. As author and founder of The
Dietary Science Foundation Dr Ann Fernholm
writes, ‘Instead of creating fat, it started burning
it. And already – in the first day – you
could see a significant reduction in
liver fat.’ And, as ‘a great side effect’,
the participants also improved their
cholesterol profiles – all without
having to lose a substantial amount
of weight. It simply had to do with
what they were eating.
The new and improved diet also
triggered the production of Vitamin
B and a bacteria that produces folic
acid – both essential for the liver’s
metabolism.
‘There is no specific treatment for
fatty liver disease apart from general
advice to exercise and lose weight,’
says Hanns-Ulrich Marschall, professor
of Clinical Hepatology at the University of
Gothenburg. ‘Our study shows not only that a low-
carbohydrate diet reduces liver fat, but also how it
achieves this effect, which could, in addition, be of
major importance for alcoholic FLD.’
‘First and foremost, it’s time to stop counting
calories,’ says Dr Fernholm. Decreasing your calorie
intake won’t do much to thin the fatty lining of
your liver. Instead, cutting the carbs in your meals
may provide you with the long-sought treatment
for this chronic illness. QAs always, please note that it’s best to consult a medical
practitioner before treating an illness with radical changes to
your diet. Lead author Jan Boren writes: ‘It’s important ... to
clarify that diets are complicated and that one type does not
fit everyone. For example, subjects with hypercholesterolemia
(high blood cholesterol levels) should be careful.’DISCLAIMER
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