World Liver Day 2023: Is There Any Cure For Fatty Liver Disease? Here’s What Experts Say
World Liver Day 2023: Fatty liver disease is of two types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
World Liver Day 2023: Fatty liver disease is one of the most common forms of liver disease. It is of two types: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The build-up of fat inside the liver cells, which leads to an enlarged liver, is called fatty liver disease.
This is the most common alcohol-induced liver disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in the liver, and is an umbrella term for a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. The main characteristic of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is that too much fat is stored in the liver cells.
According to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), non-alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are types of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. If a person suffers from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, he or she has inflammation and liver damage, along with fat in the liver.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis can be prevented by consuming a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
Is there any cure for fatty liver disease?
According to experts, the underlying cause determines the treatment for fatty liver disease. No specific treatment or drug is available for fatty liver disease, but the symptoms can be addressed by understanding the underlying causes.
“The underlying cause will determine the course of treatment for fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease sufferers are advised to make lifestyle changes including losing weight, exercising, and eating a balanced diet. Abstinence from alcohol is important in situations of alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease does not have a specific drug or treatment, but addressing the underlying reasons can control illness,” Dr Abhai Singh, Senior Consultant of Gastroenterologist, Primus Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, told ABP Live.
Dr Singh also said that certain medications can slow the progression of fatty liver disease.
Experts also state that fatty liver disease has become a “pandemic” due to improper lifestyle habits. However, it is curable.
“Nowadays, fatty liver disease has become a pandemic because of the faulty lifestyle and the westernisation of diet and lifestyle. Fatty liver disease is a curable disease. By making lifestyle changes such as performing physical activity, and avoiding the consumption of excessive fat, junk foods, processed carbohydrates, and excess alcohol can prevent the disease,” Dr Anukalp Prakash, Lead Consultant, Gastroenterology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram told ABP Live.
He also said that fatty liver disease can be reversed if it is detected on time.
“One should be very cautious and should perform his or her liver function test and ultrasound and FibroScan to know the status of the health of the liver so that we can start some medication to reverse the fatty liver disease. There are two to three drugs available which can reverse fatty liver disease. Of course, lifestyle modification plays the most important role in reversing fatty liver disease,” Dr Prakash said.
According to experts, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease does not have a specific treatment, but lifestyle modifications can help manage the condition.
“Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease does not have a specific treatment, although there are medications and lifestyle modifications that can help the condition and stop additional liver damage. Reducing or eliminating the underlying risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, is the main treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Combining a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and medication that has been prescribed by a medical practitioner will help you achieve this,” Varun Sheth, Co-founder, and CEO of Ketto India told ABP Live.
He also said that one of the most important aspects of overcoming non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is to maintain a “positive and never-say-die attitude”, and that the optimal course of action for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease varies depending on the specific circumstances.
“They should be decided by a healthcare professional. Prioritising prevention also means upholding a healthy lifestyle and controlling any underlying risk factors,” Dr Seth said.
Experts believe that scientific advancements may lead to an efficient treatment for fatty liver disease one day.
“Some of the key areas of research that could lead to new therapies for fatty liver disease are improved understanding of the underlying causes of fatty liver disease, personalised medicine approaches, targeted therapies, lifestyle interventions, and the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests,” Dr Seth said.
He concluded that there is still a lot to learn about fatty liver disease and how to treat it, but with continued research and scientific advancements, effective treatments may be developed in the future.
“Scientific developments that could be important in the future for the treatment of the fatty liver disease may include the development of new medications or therapies that specifically target the mechanisms of the disease, improvements in diagnostic tools that can detect fatty liver disease earlier and more accurately, and advanced research into the role of the gut microbiome in liver health may lead to new treatments for fatty liver disease,” Dr.Preet Pal Thakur, Co-Founder Glamyo Health, told ABP Live.
People with fatty liver disease can reduce fat in the liver with the help of weight management strategies and other lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise and the consumption of a healthy diet.
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