Summary of "#HealthyGupShup #Podcast: #FattyLiverDisease: Prevention & Managment | Dr Hardik Ahuja Gastro expert"
Key Wellness Strategies, Self-Care Techniques, and Productivity Tips for Fatty Liver Disease Prevention & Management
- Understanding Fatty Liver Disease (FLD):
- FLD occurs when fat exceeds 5% of liver weight.
- It is mostly asymptomatic (95% cases).
- Two types:
- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Males consuming >210g ethanol/week, females >140g/week.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Related to lifestyle, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia.
- A new category: Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), combining metabolic issues with alcohol consumption below alcoholic FLD thresholds.
- Causes and Risk Factors:
- Primarily a lifestyle disease (90% cases).
- Poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, metabolic syndrome.
- Genetic factors and some medications can contribute.
- Increasingly seen in younger and even lean individuals due to poor diet.
- Diagnosis:
- Mainly diagnosed via ultrasound.
- FibroScan measures liver stiffness and fat percentage.
- CT scan and MRI are other options but less common for routine diagnosis.
- Dietary Recommendations:
- Avoid bad fats: fried foods, reused cooking oils, high cholesterol non-veg items.
- Include good fats: Omega-3 and Omega-6 (fish oil, nuts, seeds, peanut butter).
- Reduce carbohydrate intake, especially processed sugars and sweetened beverages.
- Increase protein intake (high protein, low carb and fat diet).
- Suggested morning routine:
- Drink 800 ml to 1 liter of water immediately after waking.
- Allow time for detox.
- Engage in 1 hour of exercise.
- Have a high-protein first meal (examples include chia seeds, nuts, or protein-rich foods).
- Lifestyle and Physical Activity:
- Maintain healthy weight; BMI should be less than 23.
- Focus on reducing abdominal fat (waistline management).
- Regular aerobic exercise: walking 3-5 km daily, gym, yoga.
- Avoid sedentary lifestyle, especially in higher socio-economic groups.
- Encourage children from early age to avoid fast food and develop healthy eating habits.
- Stress Management:
- Stress contributes to poor eating habits, weight gain, inflammation, and fatty liver.
- Reduce stress through physical activity, outdoor play, and hobbies.
- Adequate sleep and balanced lifestyle are important.
- Supplements and Medications:
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 supplements can be beneficial.
- Multivitamins and specific vitamins may help.
- Some medications exist for obese patients, especially those with diabetes, but not for everyone.
- Home remedies alone are not effective; lifestyle changes are crucial.
- Myths and Misconceptions:
- Fatty liver does not cause symptoms like stomach ache, acidity, diarrhea.
- It is a silent disease and symptoms often attributed to fatty liver are usually unrelated.
- Fatty liver can affect all socioeconomic classes but lifestyle factors differ.
- Reversibility:
- Fatty liver is reversible if detected early.
- Once it progresses to fibrosis or inflammation, reversal is difficult.
Presenters / Sources:
- Dr. Hardik Ahuja, Gastroenterologist & Hepatology Expert, Kailash Hospital
- Host(s) of HealthyGupShup Podcast
Category
Wellness and Self-Improvement
