Fatty Liver Accelerated in the Pandemic

During the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been going on for about two years, both unhealthy diet and increased physical inactivity cause the problem of fatty liver to become widespread. Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal said, “The formation of more than 5 percent of a normal liver tissue by fat cells is defined as 'liver fat'. If precautions are not taken, it can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer over time. He warns that the number of patients undergoing liver transplantation due to fatty liver cirrhosis is increasing both in our country and especially in western societies. Emphasizing that the liver is an organ that can regenerate itself and that we can take precautions against fatty liver by making some healthy changes in our daily lives, Gastroenterorology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal gave important warnings and recommendations against fatty liver.

Fatty liver disease, the incidence of which has increased rapidly in recent years both in our country and in the world; It is evaluated in two main groups as alcohol-related and non-alcoholic lubrication. While alcohol creates a toxic effect on the liver tissue and causes liver fat, obesity-related insulin resistance is one of the most important causes of non-alcoholic adiposity. Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal, stating that obesity is one of the biggest public health problems today, says: “In obesity, the amount of fat in our body increases significantly and this fat starts to accumulate in our tissues and organs at the same time. Substances secreted from adipose tissue, called lipokines, create tissue resistance against insulin, further increasing lubrication in the form of a vicious circle. The liver is one of the organs most affected by fat. The inflammatory reaction caused by the fat accumulating in the liver causes damage to the liver cells and, over time, the development of cirrhosis. Stating that the most common cause of cirrhosis, that is, liver failure, especially in western societies, is alcohol-related liver disease, Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal says, “If the patient with fatty liver due to alcohol use quits alcohol, the liver tissue renews itself and in this way the progression to cirrhosis is largely prevented.”

If liver fat is not due to alcohol!

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Emphasizing that if it is not due to an underlying genetic disorder, a drug or an infection, the most important reason is insulin resistance, so we can reduce the risk of fatty liver by maintaining our ideal weight, Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal said, “Aerobic exercises provide a protective effect against fatty liver by reducing insulin resistance in a way that cannot be achieved with many drugs. Losing 10 percent of the weight of a patient with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (70 kilograms for a 7-kg person) will significantly reduce fatty liver. However, one of the points to be considered while losing weight is not to lose weight too quickly. Because rapid weight loss can also cause an increase in fat in the liver. The ideal is to lose 0.5-1 kg per week. Therefore, shock diets should be avoided and weight loss should be ensured under the control of a doctor and dietitian.

7 effective suggestions against fatty liver!

Stating that it is possible to learn the amount of fat in a few minutes today, Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal lists his effective suggestions against fatty liver as follows;

• Stay away from alcohol. Get professional help if needed.
• Reach your ideal weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
• Take a brisk walk for 4 minutes at least 40 days a week.
• Eat a low-carb diet.
• Switch to a Mediterranean Type diet; well; Consume more vegetables than carbohydrates and fish more than red meat.
• Avoid crash diets.

If you do not have a heart condition, drinking one or two cups of coffee a day is thought to have a protective effect against complications that may develop due to fatty liver. Assoc. Dr. Hakan Ümit Ünal “However, coffee should not be perceived as the main treatment method. In other words, it can be considered as a support to treatment, not as a stand-alone treatment without diet, exercise and, if necessary, drug therapy.