“The best treatment to combat this condition is to lose weight. There are two types of fatty liver, one that does not have fibrosis with low risk of cirrhosis; and another with hepatic fibrosis with high probabilities of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer”, says Dr. Adelina Lozano, a leading gastroenterologist at our clinic, who explains in greater detail key aspects to understand this condition.

What is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and why does it occur?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when there is more than 5% fat in the liver, as a result of overweight or obesity associated with high triglycerides, type 2 diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance.

What types of foods are associated with this condition?

Fatty liver is associated with indiscriminate intake of carbohydrates (sugar, rice, potatoes, cookies, bread, noodles, sodas, etc.), in addition to a sedentary lifestyle.

What are its symptoms and how is it diagnosed?

• In some cases, this disease is asymptomatic and is diagnosed during a medical check-up when ultrasound finds fatty liver or elevated liver inflammatory enzymes, called transaminases.
• Every patient with fatty liver should know whether or not they have hepatic fibrosis, a condition in which normal, functional liver tissue is replaced by fibrous scar tissue, which can compromise its function.

Recommendations so that the fatty liver condition does not become more complicated:

• Weight loss
• Stop drinking alcohol
• Maintaining control of insulin resistance and diabetes

Following these recommendations will not only avoid possible complications, but will also reduce the risk of suffering liver cirrhosis.

Is liver fibrosis reversible?

• Hepatic fibrosis may be reversible in early stages or even if advanced fibrosis does not become cirrhosis. When cirrhosis is present, especially with the development of esophageal varices, reversibility is not possible.
• Therefore, knowing whether the patient has a fatty liver with fibrosis or not will allow the specialist to prescribe the most appropriate and effective treatment for each case.

Dr. Adelina Lozano
Gastroenterologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma