In recent years, due to obesity, insulin resistance, and an unhealthy lifestyle, fatty liver disease is found in one out of every three people. The dangerous aspect of the problem is that liver damage often develops without symptoms, so many people notice the disease late.
Medianews.az reports that Turkish gastroenterologist Hakan Ümit Ünal has explained 5 habits that seriously harm the liver.
Losing weight quickly with a "shock" diet
Losing weight rapidly in a short period is not healthy. Very low-calorie diets increase fat accumulation in the liver. Studies show that losing more than 1–1.5 kg per week increases the burden on the liver and can cause the disease to progress.
Relying only on diet and forgetting exercise
Only dieting leads to muscle loss, weakened metabolism, and increased insulin resistance. This accelerates fatty liver. Physical activities like regular walking, on the other hand, reduce the risk.
Excessive consumption of fruit
Excessive intake of the fructose in fruit increases fatty liver. Especially when consumed in fiberless form – for example, as fruit juice – fructose is absorbed more quickly and the harm increases even more.
Using herbal products believing they cleanse the liver
"Natural" products with unknown composition and dosage pose a serious risk. Non-standardized herbal remedies can cause liver damage and even severe cases requiring transplantation. Experts emphasize that the liver does not need additional "detox."
Believing there is a safe limit to alcohol consumption
Alcohol increases inflammation in the liver and raises the risk of fatty liver progressing to cirrhosis. Especially in people with fatty liver, even small amounts of alcohol can accelerate the disease. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid alcohol.
Medianews.az