Maintaining an adequate weight, controlling fat intake and exercising are essential to avoid this health problem.
Approximately 25-30% of the Western population suffers from hepatic steatosis, a condition commonly referred to as “fatty liver”. According to Dr. Ruperto Oliveró, a specialist in internal medicine and preventive medicine at the Teknon Medical Center, “this disease is characterized by the exaggerated accumulation of fatty acids and triglycerides inside liver cells, a process that has several phases and eventually leads to liver cirrhosis”.
What causes it?
“This pathology is generally caused by alcohol intake, being overweight (obesity) or having type two diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia or insulin resistance syndrome. Likewise, a greater predisposition to suffer from this disease is observed in the female sex and among people who take medications such as tamoxifen, oral contraceptives, cortisone and derivatives, tetracyclines or antidepressants, among other drugs”.
Obesity, diabetes and excess lipids in the blood are the basic causes of this condition.
Prevention of fatty liver
Fatty liver can be prevented by correcting its causes: “Weight loss in obese patients, continued physical exercise and glycemic control in diabetic patients are necessary. In addition, certain dietary measures must be established, such as controlling alcohol intake and following a diet that is low in fat but rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, etc.). In excessive (obesity) or morbid obesity, type two diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia or syndrome, bariatric surgery may be necessary,” explains Dr. Ruperto Oliveró.