What Is Hepatic Steatosis? How Is It Treated?

You may have heard of this disease that affects many adults (about 25% of the population) and involves the accumulation of fat in liver cells. What is hepatic steatosis? How is it treated? Keep reading and you will get the answer.

Hepatic steatosis: More information

Fatty liver, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a problem associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Almost 80% of patients with these diseases also have fatty liver.

Hepatic steatosis can also be caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Fatty liver is diagnosed by doing:

Ultrasonography

Determines the severity of the disease and the amount of fat in the liver.

Liver biopsy

This method provides a definitive diagnosis and is used in those at higher risk of suffering from a liver disease.

Laboratory tests

In general , levels are 2 to 3 times higher than normal in a patient with this liver disorder. Levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides are elevated.

Two types of fatty liver (hepatic steatosis)

Patients can be divided into two groups.

Alcoholic fatty liver

The body cannot break down fats so they start to accumulate.

The good news is that if a person stops using alcohol, the disease will decrease or disappear completely within 6 weeks. However, if the individual continues to drink or increases consumption, the disease will worsen and may lead to cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver

As we mentioned before, the causes are type II diabetes, high cholesterol, taking certain medications and fast weight loss diets.

What are the warning signs of fatty liver?

In many cases, the patient will not experience any symptoms. But there are a few signs that may indicate you have fatty liver:

• If you are a middle-aged woman and overweight.
• If you have diabetes or high cholesterol.
• If has a family history of liver problems.
• If you have unhealthy eating habits.
• If you suffer from chronic fatigue or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• If even with dietary changes you can not reduce triglyceride levels.

How can I avoid fatty liver?

These tips will help you avoid hepatic steatosis or reduce the symptoms.

• Reduce your intake of refined sugar and flour, animal fats and alcohol.
• Eat more vegetables, fruits and dried fruits.
• Follow the Mediterranean diet, which is the healthiest diet out there.
• Do physical activity 2 to 3 times a week.
• Do not take medications such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, estrogen or antifungal.

• Gradually reduce your body weight.
• Increase your intake of antioxidants.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Natural recipes for fighting fatty liver

In addition to the above tips, the following home remedies are helpful in treating hepatic steatosis:

Milk thistle

This plant has many properties that, according to recent studies, reduce fat in the liver. It also improves liver function, increases hepatic regeneration and helps break down accumulated fat.

You can take milk thistle as a supplement (available in health food stores) or as a tea.

Ingredients

• 1 handful of leaves and flowers from the plant
• 1 cup of water

Directions

• Boil the water with a handful of flowers and leaves and let it boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Say and drink.

You can sweeten the tea with a little honey if you finger the taste a little too bitter or unpleasant.

Ginger

Due to its antioxidants and its ability to lower triglyceride levels, ginger is excellent for treating fatty liver.

Buy ginger at the market and keep it wrapped in paper and store in the refrigerator. Some people tear it over salads, soups or cakes for example. It can also be made into a tea.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 cup hot water

• 1 tepose

Directions

• Make tea as usual with a tea bag, then toss in the ginger. Strain and drink while still hot.

Grapefruit

This fruit is also another great way to treat fatty liver disease and prediabetes.

One of the most important compounds found in the grapefruit is naringenin, which has the ability to activate the compounds that oxidize fatty acids.

It also reduces body fat and treats metabolic syndrome (two factors associated with hepatic steatosis).

Eat a grapefruit every morning on an empty stomach.

Artichokes

Do not hesitate to add this vegetable to your weekly diet, to improve the health of your liver. It has a low calorie content, a perfect water driver, and if that was not enough, it also helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

You can eat them (better if unprocessed) in sauces, dressings, salads or soups.

Dandelion

This wild plant that grows almost everywhere possesses many medicinal properties. It is one of the most powerful natural cleansers, and cleanses the liver as well as improves hepatic health.

It is available as a supplement in health food stores.

If you have a chance to plant dandelion, even in a container, do not hesitate. Use it to make medicinal tea.

Ingredients

• 1 handful of dandelion leaves and flowers
• 1 cup of water

Directions

Boil the water with the dandelion for 10 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes. Say, sweeten and drink. You can drink dandelion tea up to three times a day.