Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

[anymouse]

I have recently been diagnosed with this disease. I had started gaining a lot of weight in my stomach area so they did liver biopsy. Dr. didn't tell me much about it except that the liver, for no known reason, starts storing fat. Just told me to slowly diet, not to lose weight too fast. Well, I didn't have a weight problem until this happened. Does any one have this and do you have any information on what I can do as far as dieting to help this condition. Thanks in advance. Joan

[katie in the UP]

Nonalcoholic fatty liver is defined as hepatic steatosis in the absence of alcohol use or another chronic liver disease. It is one of the most common liver diseases, affecting approximately 15 million persons in the United States. Persons who weigh more than 140 percent of their ideal body weight are at increased risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, persons with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia are more likely to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Because of these associations, weight reduction was assumed to be an effective treatment for overweight patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Did your Physician reccomend a low fat diet?
Usually treatment includes a low fat diet and excercise (healthy living!)

We have some wonderful recipes that are low in fat on the Zaar!!

http://beta.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=low+fat+recipes

[anymouse]

Thanks Katie,

My doctor really didn't say much of anything except to lose weight slowly. I had a hysterectomy and ovaries removed two years ago and it totally changed my life and not in a good way. Before that I had no weight problem. So when I gained weight is when the Dr. did tests and said I had this. I will check out the recipes you linked for me. Thanks again. Joan

[lauralie41]

Along with the recipes and this forum there is also a low fat and vegetarian forum that might have some more ideas for you too.

Low Fat Forum
Vegetarian Forum

[anymouse]

Thanks Lauralie41,

I was just going thru some of the low fat recipes. I don't think my DH will eat many of them though. If I was just cooking for myself, I don't think I would have any problem.

[katie in the UP]

You are right about DH's!! At my house, the trick is to find the recipes...that really fool you!

This is just an example...Honey Glazed Chicken Breasts (Low Fat)
DH loves this!! If he knew it was "DIET" food, he wouldn't love it so much!!

[anymouse]

Hey Katie,

Thanks, that chicken sounds great--honey, orange, red pepper flakes, yum. I think I will try it this weekend.

[Karyl Lee]

As far as helping the liver itself to heal, you can take Milk Thistle extract, in capsules or liquid form. It's something given in Europe if somone eats poisonous mushrooms. I got my mom over non-genetic hemachromatosis with it.

[anymouse]

Thanks KarylLee,

I bought a book "The Liver Cleansing Diet" and it does mention Milk Thistle, maybe I will give it a try.

[Color Guard Mom]

Hi.

I was diagnosed with NASH almost 1 year ago. I was actually at stage 3 fibrosis. I get my next biopsy in less than one month - and we are praying that it is at stage 1. (My mom died of cirrhosis caused by NASH 2 years ago - so it was a BIG eye opener for me).

My dietician put me on a calorie restricted diet. I follow the DASH diet, put out by the US Govt. You can do a google search for DASH diet and it will bring it up. I can have 4 - 5 servings of grains, 3 servings of veggies, 4 servings of fruit, 2 servings of dairy, 2 servings of meat, 2 servings of fat, 3 serving of nuts/seeds/beans a week, and the occasional sweet. That works out to 1300 calories a day.

I also have to exercise at least 30 minutes per day AND do an aerobic activity 3 times per week for 30 minutes each time. That is mandated by my NASH Study liver specialist. I keep the aerobics varied so I don't get bored.

The recommended weight loss is no more than 2 pounds per week and no less than 1/2 pound per week. If I can be of assistance - I'm here for you. If possible, you can email me via zaar and I'll send you all the information I've accumulated over the last year.

NASH can be corrected - as long as you lose weight and exercise. I was also possibly put on metformin (that's the study part). It has been showing that it helps the liver to process the insulin correctly so that it sends the fat out instead of storing it in the liver. It might be worth talking with you doctor about and see if he knows of any of the studies being done and the findings.

Again - I'm here for you.

Vicki

[katie in the UP]

What makes you a 'colorguard mom' ??
Just curious...DS was in the High School Marching band (Clovis High School in Clovis, Calif) and we had a large
(approx 75) Colorguard!! That's where I learned to make flags...costumes....urghhhhh what a job!!

[Color Guard Mom]

I am finding more people recognize color guard as a marching band thing, than as a military thing. My DS is one of the captains of the Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard Drill Team at his high school. He usually carries either the American flag, it's usually a 4 man team, but sometimes more and consists of 2 or more flags (US, Navy, State...) and riflemen. They perform at various events from professional football and baseball games to political dinners to high school sporting and dinner events. They also have Inspection Drills twice a year where they go up against other high schools in the district for trophies and banner rights. So - that's how I'm Colorguard Mom. Since it's Navy, it's "old hat" to us, we've been a Navy family for almost 20 years now. Yours sounds like lots more work when you were doing it. I admire you for having made it through! I'm sure it was a great experience for all involved.

[katie in the UP]

Colorguard Mom wrote:
I am finding more people recognize color guard as a marching band thing, than as a military thing. My DS is one of the captains of the Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard Drill Team at his high school. He usually carries either the American flag, it's usually a 4 man team, but sometimes more and consists of 2 or more flags (US, Navy, State...) and riflemen. They perform at various events from professional football and baseball games to political dinners to high school sporting and dinner events. They also have Inspection Drills twice a year where they go up against other high schools in the district for trophies and banner rights. So - that's how I'm Colorguard Mom. Since it's Navy, it's "old hat" to us, we've been a Navy family for almost 20 years now. Yours sounds like lots more work when you were doing it. I admire you for having made it through! I'm sure it was a great experience for all involved.

duhhhhh I must have had a blonde moment LOL OF course!! I saw in your bio the mention of Navy etc....
I have seen many ROTC colorguards!! Awesome looking....moving together carrying the flags!!

[anymouse]

Hi, sorry to get back to you so late, I only go on the internet at work and I have been off for the long weekend. Thanks so much for the info. I am really busy right now but would love all the info I can get on the subject. My doctor didn't help me at all, just said to lose weight slowly. I will talk to you later. Thanks again, Joan.

[Color Guard Mom]

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm, is a good link to use to find out what your BMI is. That is a starting point. It also lets you know what your healthy "normal" weight should be, just continue to go down in weight according to your height and it will tell you when you've reached the normal range.

The Mayo Clinic has great info at it's site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/DS00577.

The DASH Diet site is: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/. I use the chart, which I think is on page 34, to record my daily food intake.

When I was diagnosed back in October of 2005, I was 178 pounds. I saw the dietician at first every 2 weeks, then every 4 weeks, then every 6 weeks, then 3 months and my last visit will be on Oct. 6. She highly recommends Weight Watchers, to those whose insurance does not cover dietician and nutrition check in appointments. I also checked in with my doctor every 4 to 6 weeks, with blood work every 6 weeks for the first 8 months and then to every 12 weeks after that. I am now down to 133. Still have about 20 pounds to go. My LFT's have gone down to the low 20's now (was way up there). ACCOUNTABILITY is a big part of weight loss. Sure - you have to do it yourself - but having to be held accountable on a certain day and knowing that if you don't do what you need to reflects badly on your determination and character - does a lot for a person.

Remember - it is a change of life - eating and exercise habits have got to change - permanently. After you lose 10% of your body weight (according to the BMI) your liver can start to heal. So - your first, short term goal should be hitting that 10% mark.

This is going to be an exceptionally long entry, but I am going to post what I found online, way back when, for liver friendly foods. I can't find the site I got it from, but the info really helped me get a grip on what's good and what's not.

Remember - your liver processes EVERYTHING you put in your body. Take medications sparingly (follow the recommended dosage if you take any) and avoid alcohol. We want to the liver to be able to heal itself, with out over taxing it with chemicals and such.

Here's the list.

Beets: contain antioxidants which help limit the damage caused by free radicals, having a healing and cleansing effect on the liver.

Broccoli: contains B vitamens and vitamen C, as well as folic acid.

Brown Rice: provides B vitamens and the antioxidant selenium.

Carrots: contain beta-carotene and other carotenoids that help to protect the liver

Eggs: supply B vitamins

Garlic: selenium and glutathione, both which act as antioxidants.

Spinach: provides folic acid and other B vit.

Tomatoes: vitamins C and E and antioxidant lycopene.

Wheatgerm: seleniium and vitamin E.

Melons and peppers: vitamin C

Tomatillos, papaya, plantains, carambola and guava: antioxidants.

Cabbage: natural sulfur compounds to help detoxify the liver (same with broccoli and eggs)

Brazil Nuts: antioxidants

Onions: sulfur compounds

Asparagus and Watermelon: good for liver detox.

Papaya and Avacado: help produce glutathione, which is good for liver detox.

Mushrooms: glutamic acid and glutathione.

Soy Beans: lecithin which helps the liver break down fats and reduce high cholesterol.

Cayenne Pepper: Vitamins B, C, E, phytochemicals and beta-carotene.

Lemon: bitter, acidic for body cleansing (good liver tonic)

Walnuts: helps to get rid of the ammonia in the liver and contains omega 3 fatty acids.

Caraway Seeds: antioxidants. helps with liver and gallbladder disease.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits, lightly cooked vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables and orange, yellow, purple and red colored fruits and vegetables - they contain living enzymes, fiber, vitamin C, natural antibiotic substances and anti-cancer phytonutrients.

Drink 6 to 12 cups of water per day to help the kidneys get rid of the toxins the liver has broken down.

Other foods: salmon, tuna, mackeral, sardines, halibut, ground flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, green tea, dill, turmeric, dandelion greens, mustard greens, bitter melon, romaine lettuce, broccoli raabe.

Limit caffeine intake as the liver has to process it. Eat a light evening meal to help the liver be able to heal during the night.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid iron.

Hard things for the liver to digest: high fat meats, high fat dairy products, margarine, french fries, high fat snack foods.

Limit processed foods like white bread, white rice, cakes, and other sweets. Add whole grain breads, cereals, brown rice and barley to your diet.

I'll search my folders for more info and update when I can.