Simple Japanese Diet to Prevent Atherosclerosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a buildup of fat in the liver. It is common in people who are overweight or obese and is linked to diet. If the condition develops into cirrhosis, it can lead to liver failure and other life-threatening complications.

Eating foods common in Japan, such as rice, miso soup and soy products, may slow the progression of the disease, a new study finds.

Soy products provide a healthy source of protein. Photo: Islandhealth

According toExpress, the authors followed the diet and disease progression of 136 people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treated at Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital in Japan.

Each individual's diet was scored based on adherence to the 12-component Japanese Dietary Index (mJDI12). A high mJDI12 score was associated with slower liver fibrosis.

The 12 food groups in the Japanese diet are rice, miso soup, pickles, soy products, green and yellow vegetables, fruits, seafood, mushrooms, seaweed, green tea, coffee, beef/pork.

The three foods shown to have the most significant inhibitory effects on liver fibrosis are soybeans, seafood, and seaweed.

Scientists also looked at the effect of the diet on muscle mass. They found that people who ate more soy products had greater muscle mass along with a lower rate of progression of liver fibrosis. The study was published in MDPI.

Symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The disease often has no specific symptoms in the early stages. Some symptoms of the patient are enlarged liver, fatigue, pain in the upper right abdomen.

The most effective way to diagnose is a blood test to assess liver function. From there, the doctor can determine if there is any liver abnormality. "But blood tests do not always detect the disease. Your doctor may order an abdominal ultrasound," said the UK National Health Service.

In more severe stages such as cirrhosis, there will be obvious symptoms such as jaundice of the skin and eyes, dilated blood vessels under the skin, ascites, nausea, enlarged spleen, and red palms.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help people with fatty liver. This includes a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates, and low in fat, sugar and salt.

You should also exercise regularly, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week, such as walking. Stopping smoking, cutting down or stopping alcohol, and losing weight if you are overweight can also help.