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See how to prevent and treat fatty liver
Hepatic steatosis affects millions of Brazilians and, if left untreated, can become a serious condition
Published on September 9, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Hepatic steatosis occurs when the liver accumulates fat, which can cause inflammation and serious problems (Image: Evan Lorne | Shutterstock) Credit:
Hepatic steatosis, also known as “fatty liver” or “fatty liver”, occurs when the organ accumulates fat in its cells and spaces, leading to an increase in volume . In more serious cases, this accumulation can cause inflammation, causing fatty hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and, in the most critical cases, cancer, according to the Ministry of Health, the disease affects about 30% of the population Brazil.
According to Dr. Lucas Nacif, a gastrointestinal surgeon and full member of the Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery (CBCD), part of this population is young. “Unfortunately, I am seeing an increasing number of young people being diagnosed with fatty liver disease. This is the result of an inappropriate lifestyle and poor diet, and it is very worrying, because the disease, which was previously seen mostly in an older population, is now affecting on young people,” Nacif warns.
This is what recent research from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases also shows. The study published last year showed that South America is the continent that recorded the largest increase in adolescents with metabolic fatty liver disease, that is, the accumulation of fat in the liver, in 29 years.
When fat in the liver exceeds 5% of its volume, the risk of inflammation and liver problems increases (Image: new care | Shutterstock) Credit:
Understand when this fat becomes troublesome
According to the doctor, the presence of some fat in the liver is normal, but when this infiltration exceeds 5% of the volume of the organism, more serious problems arise. “Until now, the amount of fat in the liver is considered mild (or mild steatosis) and usually does not cause harm. However, when fat infiltration is higher than this level, reaching values higher than 30% or associated with other comorbidities, the risk of developing inflammation and other liver problems increases significantly. ,” he explains.
The doctor explains how the liver works. “See, our liver has essential functions, such as storing vitamins (A, D, K, E), iron and copper, regulating glucose and cholesterol levels, producing clotting factors and bile , and conversion of ammonia to urea, eliminated in urine. . It is like a laboratory for the body, responsible for several vital functions that keep our body in balance, so it must be completely healthy,” said Dr. Lucas Nacif.
Learn about the signs of fatty liver and how to prevent the condition
The doctor explains that in order to understand the symptoms of fatty liver, you must understand that there are three levels of hepatic steatosis. Stage 1 is mild fat deposition. Stage 2 has moderate deposition and in stage 3, fat deposition is enhanced.
Steatosis is not associated with symptoms, but when it is associated with metabolic syndrome, inflammation can progress to serious issues, including yellowing of the skin and eyes, accumulation of abdominal fluid ( ascites) and pressure, and the diagnosis is made through regular medical examinations, such as abdominal ultrasound and liver function tests (TGO, TGP, Gamma GT).
Fortunately, it is preventable. Nacif emphasizes that the prevention and treatment of hepatic steatosis involves sudden changes in lifestyle. “The patient should drink alcohol, because it damages liver cells. As well as adopting a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fibre, vegetables, lean proteins, olive oil and whole grains, and trying to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise,” he concludes.
