- 1. Obesity, Diabetes and Insulin resistance
- 2. High cholesterol or triglycerides
- 3. Food high in fat and sugar
- 4. Excessive alcohol consumption
- 5. Hepatitis B or C
- 6. Use of medicines
- 7. Wilson's disease
- 8. Malnutrition
- How to confirm
- Complications of excess fat in the liver
The accumulation of fat in the liver, also called hepatic steatosis, can happen due to several situations, however it is more related to unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as having a diet rich in fat and carbohydrates, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption.
It is important that hepatic steatosis is identified and treated quickly to prevent complications, such as cirrhosis, for example.
It is interesting to be aware of the main causes that can lead the person to have fat in the liver, since this disease does not usually show symptoms. The main causes of liver fat are:
1. Obesity, Diabetes and Insulin resistance
Obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance are the most frequent causes of fat accumulation in the liver. In these cases, there is an imbalance between the production and use of triglycerides by the body, which increases the fat stored in the liver.
2. High cholesterol or triglycerides
High cholesterol is another major cause of fatty liver, especially when there is an increase in the level of triglycerides and a decrease in HDL, the good cholesterol.
3. Food high in fat and sugar
The accumulation of fat in the liver is also related to lifestyle. The combination of eating foods rich in sugars, fats and low in fiber together with a sedentary lifestyle results in weight gain, worsening liver steatosis.
4. Excessive alcohol consumption
Fatty liver can also appear when there is an excessive consumption of alcohol, and this excess is considered when the daily amount of alcohol is greater than 20 g for women and more than 30 g for men, which is equivalent to 2 or 3 doses, respectively.
5. Hepatitis B or C
People who have hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C are more likely to have fat in the liver and other related diseases because the presence of lesions caused by hepatitis in the liver cells make the organ's work difficult, facilitating the accumulation of fat.
6. Use of medicines
The use of medications such as amiodarone, corticosteroids, estrogens or tamoxifen for example, contribute to the accumulation of fat in the liver. This is because the use of these medications can cause liver damage and, as a consequence, liver steatosis.
7. Wilson's disease
This disease is rare and manifests in childhood, it is characterized by the body's inability to metabolize excess copper in the body, resulting in intoxication. This excess copper is normally stored in the liver, which will damage the cell and facilitate the accumulation of fat in the organ.
8. Malnutrition
Malnutrition causes a decrease in lipoproteins in the body, which are the molecules responsible for removing fat. The lack of these lipoproteins makes it impossible for the triglycerides to leave the liver, which end up accumulating in the organ causing the fatty liver.
How to confirm
Excess fat in the liver usually shows no signs or symptoms, and is usually diagnosed at random when a person performs an ultrasound scan of the abdomen as part of their routine exams. Upon suspicion, the doctor assesses the levels of liver enzymes TGO and TGP, in addition to the concentration of bilirubin, cholesterol and gamma-GT in the blood to confirm the disease.
In more severe cases, which is when fatty liver is not identified and treated in its early stages, there may be symptoms such as poor digestion, frequent tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen belly, for example. Check out the main symptoms of fatty liver.
Complications of excess fat in the liver
Complications of fat accumulation in the liver depend on the patient's lifestyle and associated factors such as diabetes, obesity or immune diseases. But, usually, there is a progressive inflammation of the liver that can lead to the emergence of serious diseases such as liver cirrhosis. Learn to recognize the symptoms of liver cirrhosis.
To avoid the consequences of fat accumulation in the liver, it is recommended that the person eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding eating foods with a lot of fat and sugar. In addition, you should also exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day. Learn in detail what the liver fat diet should look like in this video:
