Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD) is emerging as an important cause of liver disease in India. Doctors maintain that the country is witnessing a silent epidemic. Recently, a new set of guidelines has been released by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL).
According to the guidelines, diet and exercise are the main aspect in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, now known as metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). The guidelines were published in the Hepatology International journal.
The experts maintain that people with MAFLD who are also obese need to shed 5-10 percent of their bodyweight and recommend “frequent self-weighing (at least weekly), reduced-calorie diets, and increased physical activity” for managing weight in the long-term.
The guidelines also emphasise on combining diet and structured exercise training can benefit the liver and cardiometabolic health. “Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and alters substrate metabolism in the muscle, liver, and adipose tissue, which affects hepatic free fatty acid flux,” the authors wrote.
The guidelines also emphasise that the diet should have 1,200 to 1,800 kilocalories per day or 500-700 kilocalories less daily for MAFLD management. The authors also highlighted the importance of Mediterranean diet as the most evidence-based food regime suggested to address fatty liver disease.
According to the experts, this diet has a high intake of monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acid foods with a reduced intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars. The diet should also include seafood, lean proteins and a moderate amount of dairy, eggs and poultry.
The study authors also warned that although intermittent fasting could help with weight loss and improve metabolism, their evidence in reversing fatty liver disease is limited. The team also recommended drinking three or more cups of coffee daily as it is beneficial to the liver.
The guidelines also recommended 150-240 minutes per week of aerobic exercise. However, they maintained that even 135 minutes per week is also beneficial. The team also recommended exercises that get one’s heart rate up like brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming and jumping rope are aerobic exercises.
What are the symptoms of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases (NAFLD)?
NAFLD often has no symptoms. According to Mayo Clinic, when it does, they may include:
- Fatigue.
- Not feeling well, or malaise.
- Pain or discomfort in the upper right belly area.
Possible symptoms of NASH and cirrhosis, or severe scarring, include:
- Itchy skin.
- Abdominal swelling, also called ascites (uh-SY-teez).
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling of the legs.
- Spider-like blood vessels just beneath the skin’s surface.
- Enlarged spleen.
- Red palms.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, or jaundice.
