What is Fatty Liver? (Love Your Liver Awareness Month)

Courtesy Image from British Liver Trust

Every January is Love Your Liver Awareness Month. Liver disease continues to increase due to too much consumption of alcohol and an inflammation of the liver which is called Viral Hepatitis. Also, being overweight can cause fatty liver disease. However, knowing your risk factors for liver disease is necessary to help prevent and manage it. Some risk factors are diabetes, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, a slow thyroid, and being overweight.

Also, genetics can be a risk factor for fatty liver. Although you cannot change your genetics, you can reduce the risk factors of fatty liver by changing your diet and selecting fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains. It is recommended to limit the amount of bread, rice, potato, corn, and foods with starch. Add exercise to your lifestyle. Limit the amount of bacon, sausage, pepperoni, hot dogs, and other processed red meats. Nonetheless, you can skip alcoholic beverages and avoid eating junk food.

A fatty liver is too much fat that surrounds the liver and cannot burn off the fat. More women tend to get diagnosed with fatty liver. Some medications can also affect the liver and Hepatitis C can also affect it. Hepatitis C is an infection that can pass through shared needles and blood contact. Therefore, it is important to get yearly blood tests.

Furthermore, fatty liver can also occur during pregnancy. Yet, it needs to be taken care of for the health of the woman and the health of the baby. There are two types of fatty liver Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is too much fat with alcohol in the liver and it eliminates substances after the alcohol is broken down. The symptoms of fatty liver are having itchy skin, abdominal swelling, fatigue, swelling of the legs, and other times there are no symptoms. 

Keep in mind that there are two types of fatty liver and that your doctor can create a health plan based on your type of fatty liver. Always consult with your doctor before taking supplements such as vitamin A, acid folic, Omega 3, and herbal supplements such as Milk Thistle, Dandelion, and other supplements. During Love Your Liver Awareness Month, you can donate to the American Liver Foundation, British Liver Trust, and Living Liver Donation. Nonetheless, even if you cannot make a monetary donation; You can take care of your liver health and the liver health of the family members that live with you. Do not use illicit drugs and pledge to take care of your liver.

Consult with your primary doctor for a health checkup schedule, nutrition tips, and ways to manage fatty liver. Although, more women are being diagnosed with fatty liver; Anyone can get this disease and it is recommended to get your yearly physical exam. Do not smoke and get your immunization record updated. Wear something green or a green t-shirt to bring awareness to Love Your Liver Awareness Month. Here are resources about fatty liver and other resources for Love Your Liver Awareness Month.

British Liver Trust-Pioneering Liver Health:

British Liver Trust - Pioneering Liver Health

11 Foods that are Good for Your Liver-Healthline:

11 Foods That Are Good for Your Liver (healthline.com)

Liver-American Liver Foundation:

Liver - American Liver Foundation

Living Liver Donation-American Transplant Foundation:

Living Liver Donation - American Transplant Foundation

* Courtesy Image from British Liver Trust