Can Only Alcoholics get Fatty Liver?

Overweight people having metabolic issues (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia) and alcoholics worldwide are most susceptible to Fatty Liver. The condition is associated with other diseases that influence fat metabolism. The good news is fatty liver disease (FLD) is reversible. Large vacuoles of triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells via the process of steatosis (i.e., abnormal retention of lipids within a cell) which causes this condition.

The causes may be the following:

1. Metabolic

Abetalipoproteinemia, glycogen storage diseases, Weber-Christian disease, acute fatty liver of pregnancy, lipodystrophy

2. Nutritional

Malnutrition, total parenteral nutrition, severe weight loss, refeeding syndrome, jejunoileal bypass, gastric bypass, jejunal diverticulosis with bacterial overgrowth

3. Drugs and toxins

Amiodarone, methotrexate, diltiazem, expired tetracycline, highly active antiretroviral therapy, glucocorticoids, tamoxifen, environmental hepatotoxins (e.g., phosphorus, mushroom poisoning)

4. Other

Inflammatory bowel disease, HIV, hepatitis C (especially genotype 3), and alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency

Treatment

The treatment of fatty liver depends on its cause. Two known causes of fatty liver disease are an excess consumption of alcohol and a prolonged diet containing foods with a high proportion of calories coming from lipids.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Fatty liver can occur after drinking moderate or large amounts of alcohol. It can even occur after a short period of heavy drinking (acute alcoholic liver disease).

Unfortunately, genetics or heredity (what is passed down from parent to child) plays a role in alcoholic liver disease in two ways: It may influence how much alcohol you consume and your likelihood of developing alcoholism.

Other factors that may influence your chances of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease include:

1. Hepatitis C (which can lead to liver inflammation)
2. An overload of iron
3. Obesity
4. Diet

Non-Alcoholic Liver Disease

Some people with excess fat in the liver simply have what's called a fatty liver. Although this is not normal, it is not serious if it doesn't lead to inflammation or damage.

Other potential causes of fatty liver disease include:

1. Medications
2. Viral hepatitis
3. Autoimmune or inherited liver disease
4. Rapid weight loss
5. Malnutrition

Majority of the treatment includes control over diet, decreasing the intake of fat. Intake of over the counter supplements like Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Omega 3 fatty acids, anti-oxidants.

Call Credihealth today to consult a specialist for a prescription!