How to reverse fatty liver disease you need to know

Experts don't fully understand why some people develop fatty liver disease and others don't.

But you're more likely to get it if you're overweight or obese, have diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, or hepatitis C and other liver infections...

Most people with this type of fatty liver are middle-aged. But it can happen to anyone, even children.

Most of the time, the disease has no symptoms. That's why many people with it don't realize they have it. But some people may feel pain or pressure in the middle or right side of their abdomen or feel very tired.

Unlike other types of liver disease, metabolic fatty liver disease does not cause damage to the organ, so you can take steps to reverse the condition before it becomes a more serious problem.

Losing weight

According toWebMDResearch shows that losing excess weight is the best thing you can do to control or reverse metabolic fatty liver disease. A good goal is to lose 10% of your total body weight, but even losing 3% to 5% can improve liver health.

Talk to your doctor about the best way for you to lose weight safely and effectively. Options may include diet, exercise, weight-loss surgery, or weight-loss medications.

Treat other health problems

Fatty liver is linked to a number of other health conditions. Treat those problems and you may also reverse fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders.

Conditions may include diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, or growth hormone deficiency.

Change your eating habits

Changing your diet can help you lose weight, but it also has other benefits. It can improve your overall health and reduce the amount of fat in your liver.

Some adjustments you can make:

- Eat more fruits and vegetables.

- Eat more fish.

- Eat more foods rich in fiber.

- Don't eat too many carbohydrates.

- Limit sugar.

- Limit saturated fat and trans fat.

- Limit salt.

And you can enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Scientists believe it may reduce liver inflammation, although more research is needed to know for sure.

Reduce stress on the liver

Alcohol can cause fat to build up in the liver. It can also damage the organ. You should avoid drinking alcohol if you have fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders.

If you don't think you can quit completely, drinking less can still help. A simple rule of thumb is to drink less than one drink a day if you're a woman and less than two drinks a day if you're a man.

Some over-the-counter medications can also put stress on the liver, so follow dosage instructions when taking acetaminophen to make sure you don't take too much.

Make sure you read the labels of all the medicines you take, acetaminophen is found in many cold medicines and prescription pain relievers.

Talk to your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take. Some people with liver disease should not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Medications to consider

There are no medications specifically approved to treat fatty liver disease associated with metabolic disorders.

One drug is approved to treat the advanced stage of the condition, known as metabolic liver disease with higher levels of fibrosis. This occurs when there is inflammation and liver damage along with fat buildup.

There are a number of other medications and supplements that you and your doctor may want to discuss.

You may need vaccinations to protect you from hepatitis A and B, viruses that can damage your liver. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is also important.

Some studies have found that vitamin E appears to improve liver function in some people, but science has yet to prove this.

If you want to try this supplement, talk to your doctor first. It may not be safe for everyone and has been linked to prostate cancer.