The liver is the largest gland in the body and a true powerhouse. It is open 24 hours a day and works hard to keep you healthy by detoxifying hundreds of chemicals in two phases. If the liver fails to function properly, every other system in the body is compromised. 

What is Fatty Liver?

Fatty liver is a condition where you have extra fat in your liver, also referred to as steatosis. 

There are two main types of Fatty Liver: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

NAFLD is a type of fatty liver disease that is not related to heavy alcohol use. There are two kinds:

• Simple fatty liver, is when you have fat in your liver but little or no inflammation or liver cell damage. Simple fatty liver typically does not get bad enough to cause liver damage or complications.
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is when you have inflammation and liver cell damage, as well as fat in your liver. Inflammation and liver cell damage can cause fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver. NASH may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Alcoholic fatty liver disease

Heavy drinking makes you more likely to get fatty liver. Over time, too much alcohol leads to a buildup of fat inside your liver cells. This makes it harder for your liver to work. Your liver breaks down most of the alcohol you drink, so it can be removed from your body. But the process of breaking it down can generate harmful substances. These substances can damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken your body's natural defenses. The more alcohol that you drink, the more you damage your liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease is preventable and usually gets better when you stop drinking alcohol. 

Symptoms

Both NAFLD and alcoholic fatty liver disease are usually silent diseases with few or no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, you may feel tired or have discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen.

Your body will give you other signs that there may be an issue with your liver. Here are some indications that your liver is in trouble:

• Itchy skin. Damaged bile ducts from an impaired liver can create a buildup of bile which could lead to itching.
• Fatigue. When the liver fails, oxidative stress occurs within the body and causes impaired liver function. Stop stressing!
• Memory problems. Once again, when the liver is not working, the buildup of toxins in the blood can affect the brain. The clinical term for this is hepatic encephalopathy, and it’s a severe problem that needs immediate attention.
• Breasts in men. Some may overlook this sign especially if they are overweight. Gynecomastia, the medical term for men’s breasts, is mostly caused by liver damage and abnormal testosterone levels.
• Weight gain or loss. If you have not been dieting or overeating it is important to include a liver panel in any bloodwork that a doctor may order. Many times, it turns out the liver is also responsible for this happening.
• Bruising. We are not talking about getting a bruise from injury but if you have no idea why you have a bruise, get you liver checked! Unexplained bruising can be a sign that your liver is not functioning correctly.
• The Palms of your hands are bright red - red palms from fatty liver doesn’t happen in all cases but should be investigated.
• Dark urine. There are only a few things that will cause dark urine and one of them is a fatty liver. The same high levels of bilirubin that is causing your skin and eyes to turn yellow are also causing your urine to be dark. The kidneys are also affected by your damaged liver, and it cannot filter all the bilirubin from your urine.
• Dry eyes or mouth. While many things, including medications, can cause this as well, it is something to be taken seriously.

Depending on the severity or the level of your liver damage, Dr. Nickels can determine the correct dosing of supplements, give you dietary guidelines, and encourage you to get your liver tested at least once a year to maintain your health and prevent any future problems. 

Certain foods are healthy for your liver and have been shown to enhance your liver's detoxification process.

Foods that increase liver detoxification

• Fresh/frozen berries & other fruit
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage)
• Kale
• Beans and lentils
• Garlic
• Onion
• Tumeric
• Quinoa
• Wild rice
• Nuts/seeds
• Non-dairy milks (almond, coconut, etc.)
• Wild caught fish
• Organic meats

Foods to Avoid that Decrease Detoxification

Certain foods are unhealthy and can be an additional burden to your body's detoxification system:

• Canned fruit in syrup
• High-sugar/artificial juices
• Oranges
• Canned vegetables in sauces
• Soybean and soy based foods
• Refined flours
• Gluten
• Peanuts/peanut butter
• Dairy products
• Lunch meats
• Hot dogs
• Shellfish
• Hydrogenated oils
• Coffee/tea
• Soda
• Sweetened beverages
• Alcohol

Supplement Recommendations

The following are natural supplements that can help protect your liver. As always, please consult with your doctor before taking any new supplements:

• Milk thistle can help the effects caused by everyday oxidative stress and toxins. It also helps promote liver functions by helping your metabolic process run more efficiently and help with weight management. Did you have a glass of wine? - take Milk Thistle!
• Zinc - 50 mg or more of zinc can help protect your liver as you age by reducing the accumulation of fatty lipids in the liver.
• Selenium is a powerhouse mineral that is vital to rejuvenate and help to detox your liver. It will encourage the production of an antioxidant called glutathione, which can maintain healthy liver cells and promote elasticity. 
• Lipogen is a highly specialized formula that features a unique blend of lipotropic nutrients combined with select amino acids, vitamins, and a proprietary extract of herbs to support healthy liver and gallbladder function.
• Core Restore Liver Detox Kit is a comprehensive 7- or 14-day diet, lifestyle and nutrient program designed to reduce toxic burden and support Phase I and II liver detoxification function.

To order any of the above professional grade, high quality supplements call our office at 904-834-2337 ***Shipping is available!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS

The good news is... if fatty liver is caught early it can begin to repair itself!

We recommend getting blood tests done to determine which diet and supplements will help your liver to heal promptly without using prescription medications.

Until next time, stay healthy!