A study reveals a helpful tip for a healthier liver.
With the ongoing obesity crisis in Westernized societies, cases of fatty liver disease are on the rise.
Fatty liver disease, as its name suggests, is a condition resulting from the accumulation of excess fat in the liver.
This condition, also termed hepatic steatosis, is quite prevalent, affecting more than a quarter of the population in the United States.
Numerous factors contribute to its development, such as alcohol consumption, obesity, and diabetes.
What are the Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease?
Often, fatty liver disease remains undetected as it may not present noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue or a discomforting sensation in the upper right section of your abdomen.
Additional symptoms might include liver inflammation, increasing weakness or tiredness, swelling in the legs or abdomen, noticeable blood vessels, and possible yellowing of the eyes or skin.
How Can You Prevent Fatty Liver Disease?
Managing fatty liver disease effectively involves weight loss and abstaining from alcohol. Implementing a healthy diet abundant in plant-based foods and limiting sugar and processed foods, coupled with at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week, can be an effective strategy for weight loss.
Despite the potentially severe outcomes of liver disease, early treatment can avert these complications.
In 2008, scientists from the University of Missouri in the United States proposed that a single lifestyle modification like regular physical activity could significantly impact this condition.
Can Exercise Prevent Fatty Liver Disease?
The lead researcher, Frank Booth, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, the MU School of Medicine, and a research investigator at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, revealed, “Physical activity prevented fatty liver disease by 100 percent in an animal model of fatty liver disease.
“In contrast, 100 percent of the group that did not have physical activity had fatty liver disease. It is rare in medicine for any treatment to prevent disease by 100 percent.”
This revelation is encouraging news for those concerned about the risks of NAFLD, suggesting a straightforward preventative measure.
However, their research, published in the Journal of Physiology, also indicated that even brief periods of inactivity “can quickly lead to symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis), which affects at least 75% of obese people.”
Jamal Ibdah, professor of medicine and medical pharmacology and physiology at the MU School of Medicine, remarked, “We found that the cessation of daily exercise dramatically activates specific precursors known to promote hepatic steatosis.”
He added, “This study has important implications for obese humans who continually stop and start exercise programs. Our findings strongly suggest that a sudden transition to a sedentary lifestyle increases susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.”
Source: 10.1113/jphysiol.2008.156745
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